Resources for Parents and Mentors

The following resources can help parents and mentors who wish to promote the academic and career success of students with disabilities.

DO-IT Resources

• Breaking Down Barriers K-12 and Beyond: A Parents' Guide to Accessible Technology in Schools
• Career Preparation Resources for Parents and Mentors
  Resources focused on career development.
• College Preparation Resources for Parents and Mentors
  Resources focused on postsecondary education.
• Disability-Related Resources on the Internet
  Comprehensive list of resources, including communication opportunities for parents of children with disabilities.
• Learn and Earn: Supporting Teens
  A video and publication for those helping teenagers with disabilities prepare for careers.
• Mentoring and Peer Support for People with Disabilities
  Information, resources, and interaction opportunities.
• National Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities
  Information and resources.
• Opening Doors: Mentoring on the Internet
  An online community of teens with disabilities and mentors.
• Accessible Technology
  How to assure that students with disabilities have access to computer software, web pages, and other instructional technology.
• Washington State Resources for Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities
  Information and resources in Washington State.

Online Resources

• Age of Majority: Preparing Your Child for Making Good Choices
  Involving young people in setting their own high school goals and planning for their transition to adulthood.
• Bullying and Teasing of Youth with Disabilities: Creating Positive School Environments for Effective Inclusion
  Definitions of bullying, teasing, and disability harassment; research about bullying and harassment; two effective, comprehensive, whole-school, anti-bullying programs; and recommendations and resources.
• IDEA 1997 Transition Issues: The IEP for Transition Aged Students
  The requirements for transition under IDEA, the composition and functioning of the Individual Education Program (IEP) Transition Team, and special factors for the IEP Team to consider.
• Integrating Service Systems at the Point of Transition for Youth with Significant Disabilities: A Model that Works
  Coordination and integration of various services (e.g. education, vocational rehabilitation, developmental disabilities) so that youth with disabilities receive continued support to maintain and expand their employment and independent living outcomes throughout adulthood.
• Parenting Postsecondary Students with Disabilities: Becoming the Mentor, Advocate, and Guide Your Young Adult Needs
  The importance of involving parents in the transition from high school to the post-secondary environment, concrete recommendations to help parents learn to mentor and advocate for their post-secondary youth, resources, and references.
• Personal Assistance Services
  A toolkit for youth transitioning to adulthood.
• Person-Centered Planning: A Tool for Transition
  Description of person-centered planning, explanation of the benefits of this process, and resources.
• Social Activities of Youth with Disabilities
  Highlights of the results of the National Longitudinal Study-2 in regard to social activities of youth with disabilities.
• What is Quality Education? Perspectives from Two Students and a Parent
  Views on quality education from two individuals with disabilities and a parent of a youth with a disability.

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income

• Social Security Administration
  Details regarding SS services.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  Information about eligibility and procedures.
• Supplemental Security Income (Part 1 of 3): A Bridge to Work
  Practical information about how youth can use Social Security work incentives to facilitate a gradual transition from dependence on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to partial or complete financial independence.
• Supplemental Security Income (Part 2 of 3): So You Have Decided to Apply
  Description of the process for applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Supplemental Security Income (Part 3 of 3): Your Right to Appeal
  Information about the appeals process, including why many applications are denied, how the decisions are made, and how applicants can respond effectively.