youth with disabilities transitioning from high school a presentation of the center for independence...

Youth with Disabilities Transitioning from High School

A presentation of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York – Queens(CIDNY-Queens)

This program is funded in part by the New York Community Trust

CIDNY-Queens : Youth with Disabilities Transitioning 1

CIDNY programs for young people with disabilities

If you are not sure what is next after high school, that’s normal.

If you know what you want, but don’t know how to get there,that’s normal, too.

Whether you are a few years from making these decisions or yougraduate soon, CIDNY can help you understand your choices.And we can help you find the resources you need.


Three youth programs

• Paso a Paso – a bi-lingual program for young people with disabilities and their families who want to learn more about choices after high school

• STEP UP Transition Program – for young people with disabilities who are a few years from graduation and want to make their transition work

• STEP UP Job Club – for young people with disabilities who want to build their skills to find work


What you can learn from Paso a Paso

Monthly workshops will help you learn:• Your options after high school• The law and your rights• How to get and keep the benefits you need• How to advocate for yourself• Skills for living independently


What you can learn fromCIDNY’s STEP UP transition program

With STEP UP, you can learn:• the difference between an IEP and a Regent’s diploma• how to set goals for your transition plan• how to make sure you get the benefits and services you need • your rights as a student with a disability• how to connect to services after high school


What you can learn from STEP UP’sjob club

• Find out how your interests and talents can turn into work• Set your goals for a job• Learn about the law and your rights• Find out how to get good job references• How to answer difficult questions at an interview• Learn about when and how to disclose your disability• Learn what an employer expects of you and what you can

expect from an employer• and more


More about CIDNY services

• All of CIDNY services are free• Benefits counselors are bi-lingual• You will have access to all CIDNY services and programs• CIDNY’s Consumer Action Network (CAN) is made up of

people with disabilities who come together to advocate for justice and equality. Each of us brings our experience, our strengths and our energy to monthly meetings where we plan activities, learn about disability issues, and practice advocacy skills.


Learn about other resources and how to get them

CIDNY can help you learn about:

• The state agency that helps get jobs for people with disabilities who can and want to work (ACCES-VR).

• The Client Assistance Program (CAP), that gives you information and help with vocational rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), employment and assistive technology.

• Other resources after graduation


Monthly workshops

Some of the monthly workshops are:• Making your transition goals work• Moving from school to work• Getting and keeping the benefits you need• Laws that protect people with disabilities in – education– housing– benefits and – employment


Tell us about you!

We would like to know:• What you think life will be like after graduation• What would you like to know about getting more education• What would you like to know about your rights• What you would like help with


For more information

CIDNY – Queens 137-02A Northern Blvd Flushing, NY 11354

(646) 442-1520 (Tel), (866) 948-1064 (VP), (718) 886-0427 (TTY)www.cidny.org


youth with disabilities transitioning from high school a presentation of the center for independence...

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