Employment/Daytime Activities

For Professionals

Guidance and Career Counselors' Toolkit ( 1.3 MB)
This 180 page Toolkit from The George Washington University has chapters on "Tools for Counseling Students with Disabilities; Services for Students with Disabilities; College, Career, and Other Postsecondary Options; and Procedural Concerns for Successful Transitions." It also includes weblinks and additional tools.

For Parents and Patients

Employment ( 120 KB)
From the Institute for Community Inclusion at Children's Hospital, Boston, this handout provides tips to help youth and young adults prepare for a job as they transition to adulthood.

Ticket To Work
From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Ticket To Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (TWWIIA) assists people with disabilities with employment opportunities including Medicaid Buy-In and other programs.

Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation
Provides links to vocational rehabilitation contacts in each state.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.

Social Security Work Site
Promotes the employment of Social Security beneficiaries.

Work Ability
Work Ability helps prepare people with disabilities to work. The program was designed for people who receive public benefits like Medicaid and Social Security due to a disability. Work Ability connects people with supports to help them find and maintain work.

Career Assistance for People with Autism
Guidance and assistance in navigating the job search for people with autism.

Utah Association of Community Services
Association of community providers who contract with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities and the Office of Rehabilitation to provide site and non-site day services. Some providers also accept clients who are self-pay.

Transition Handbook: From 'No' Where to 'Know' Where ( 1.1 MB)
This handbook, from the Utah Parent Center, is designed for parents of children with disabilities to help them be active participants in developing transition goals and activities as their children transition to adulthood and includes information about steps to transition, graduation, laws, roles of players, transition planning, employment, training, independent living, timelines, advocacy, SSI, health care, guardianship, estate planning, and a directory of related Utah organizations.

Utah Vocational Rehabilitation
A web-based locator for Utah state offices, Vocational Rehabilitation assists and empowers eligible individuals with disabilities to achieve and maintain meaningful employment.

Utah State Office of Education
This site provides information about Utah schools, charter schools, the school board, rules, regulations, and more.

Peer Connections - SLC, Utah County
Peer Connections (Salt Lake City, Utah County) provides opportunities to students ages 16-22 with high-functioning autism to establish and enhance their relational skills, while exploring work and career situations.

Brain Injury Alliance of Utah
Education and support for the prevention and recovery of brain injury. Lists services (support groups, helpline, community education, conferences, legislative liaisons) and offers family education (simple definitions, a map of the brain with explanations of function, consequences of injury and more).

PACER's National Family Advocacy and Support Training Project (FAST)
This page has a piece on "The Journey to Adulthood – What Every Parent Needs to Know" in regards to youth and maturity. Also includes information on Transition to Adulthood and more for young adults and families, in English and Spanish.

The Arc of Illinois Family Manual for Transition to Work and Adult Services ( 195 KB)
This manual provides Illinois specific and general information on transition issues including planning, waivers, services, supports, insurance, employment, and national resources.

Utah Department of Human Services - Division of Services for People with Disabilities
Provides programs and services for people with disabilities. Important for all families of children with special needs to be aware of this service, the sooner, the better due to the waiting list.

Disability Law Center, Utah
A nonprofit organization designated by the Governor to protect the rights of people with disabilities in Utah. A good resource for people who are having legal problems where their rights as a person with a disability have been violated.

Keeping It Real: How to Get the Supports You Need for the Life You Want
This curriculum supports students as the transition from high school to adulthood and provides information and tools relating to transition; self-assessment; supports; employment and careers; education and training; living arrangements, recreation and leisure; and resources; from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Murray Greenhouse Foundation
For individuals with disabilities age 22 and older, teaches independent living and employment skills through work in a greenhouse. A safe place for a disabled young adult to learn and enjoy a social outlet.

Youth Leadership Toolkit
Guide book and DVD videos for youth/young adults, parents, medical providers, and other professionals with tips from young adults to assist in transitioning to adulthood. Includes transportation, finding adult health care, healthy relationships, employment/volunteering, self-advocacy and independent living. Developed by Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) in collaboration with the Center for Persons with Disabilities and the Becoming Leaders for Tomorrow Project.

Vocational Rehabilitation ( 77 KB)
This handout provides brief tips for young adults as they consider work, vocational rehabilitation, and independent living centers; from the Kentucky Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Youth/Young Adult Transition Needs Assessment ( 91 KB)
A worksheet to help the youth or young adult determine strengths and needs to help prepare for transition to adulthood; from the Utah Family Voices Health Information & Support Center, adapted from Florida.