Transition to Adulthood

Transition Planning: A Guide for Parents of Young Adults with Disabilities

This is MPF’s parent-friendly Transition Planning guide. The transition from high school into the world of adulthood is a milestone for ALL young people! For young people with disabilities, this milestone also means a significant shift in how education and support services have been provided. A transition plan should include the three domains of Education, Employment and Independent Living. This booklet will help parents navigate the transition years and provide tools for successful adult outcomes.

MDOL Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, also known as “VR,” is a Department of Labor program that helps people who have disabilities to get and keep a job. VR helps people who have physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.

Maine Department of Education Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education (MDOE OSSIE)

The Maine Department of Education – Office of Special Services & Inclusive Education is dedicated to improving results for students with disabilities by providing leadership, support and oversight to local education agencies. The Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education is committed to ensuring the provision of a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for children with disabilities (ages 3 to 22) as well as early intervention services to infants and toddlers (birth through age 2). Our work is accomplished through collaboration with families, school districts, public and private agencies, and other programs.

Transition Maine

Transition Maine is a project under the Maine Department of Education Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education to promote collaboration between various state departments, community agencies, youth/young adults, and their families.

Maine Unified Special Education Regulations (MUSER) – Chapter 101

“This rule governs the administration of the child find system for children age birth to twenty, the provision of early intervention services to eligible children birth to under age 3 (B-2) with disabilities and their families, and the provision of special education and related services to eligible children age three to twenty with disabilities and their families, implementing 20-A MRSA Chapters 301, and 303 and amendments thereto”

Maine’s Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)

“The Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS) supports Maine’s older and disabled adults by providing Adult Protective, Brain Injury, Other Related Conditions, Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Long Term Care, and Aging and Community services to the people of Maine.”

High School & Beyond: A Guide to Transition Services in Maine

“The Guide was developed with the assistance of youth and families to provide resource and planning information to youth and young adults, their families, and their supports to address the many different areas of transition planning. It is my hope that you will find this Guide helpful in supporting youth and young adults in their successful transition to adulthood.”

Disability Rights Maine

Disability Rights Maine (DRM) is Maine’s Protection & Advocacy agency for people with disabilities. This means we represent people whose rights have been violated or who have been discriminated against based on their disability. We also provide training on rights and self-advocacy and we advocate for public policy reform.

PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment

“The road to adulthood for youth with disabilities is filled with opportunity, and parents play a key role. PACER’s National Parent Center on Transition and Employment is ready with the information families want, presented in a way families can use.”

ADA National Network

“The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications. The ADA is divided into five titles (or sections) that relate to different areas of public life.”

Maine Autism Institute for Education & Research booklet (MAIER)

“The Maine Autism Institute for Education and Research, or MAIER, is dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) throughout the spectrum and life cycle. We work to build statewide capacity in support of our mission through leadership, training, professional development, technical assistance, collaborative consultation, technology, and research. MAIER is located at the University of Maine in Orono.”

Maine CITE

“The Maine Department of Education’s Maine CITE Program is designed to help make assistive technology more available to Maine children, adults and seniors who need them.

Administered by the Maine Department of Education and funded by the federal Administration for Community Living.”