Youth with Disabilities: Education & Transition

U.S. Department of Education

• The pages for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) include information on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires that a free and appropriate public education be provided to children with certain types of disabilities. OSERS also includes information on the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, which oversees grant programs to assist people with disabilities obtain employment and live more independently.
• The pages for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) include information on how the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act apply in educational settings, including institutions of higher education. Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: Know Your Rights and Responsibilities offers advice on transitioning to college. The publication is also available in Spanish: Preparación para la educación postsecundaria para los estudiantes con discapacidades: Conozca sus derechos y responsabilidades.
• The pages for the Office for Federal Student Aid (FSA) include information on various financial aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study programs.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

This Center (formerly the National Information Center for Handicapped Children and Youth) offers information and publications on IDEA and other areas of interest to students, parents, and professionals. Several of the publications are available in Spanish. The web site also features a "State Resources" section; you can find a list of state government offices, disability-related organizations, and parent groups.

ThinkCollege

This site provides information, resources, and tools on various college options for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. 

FinAid

This site includes information about scholarships and fellowships for students with disabilities.

HEATH Resource Center

The HEATH Resource Center is a national clearinghouse on post-secondary education for individuals with disabilities.

Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)

AHEAD offers resources and answers common questions that students and parents have about going to college.

College Living Experience (CLE)

CLE is a post-secondary support service program for students with various types of learning disabilities. The program offers intensive academic, independent living skills, and social skills support to students who are enrolled in nearby colleges and universities. There are several sites around the country, including one in the Washington, DC area.

Virginia College Quest

This site includes lots of practical information for students with disabilities who want to go to college.

National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC)

The Center works to improve transition planning, services, and post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities.

National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)

The Center coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities.

National Center on Education, Disability, and Juvenile Justice (EDJJ)

EDJJ provides technical assistance, conducts research, and disseminates resources related to special education and transition services for detained and incarcerated youth with disabilities, as well as prevention of school failure and delinquency.