Transition Resources for Families and Youth with Disabilities
There are a lot of tools and transition resources available online that can help you get started with imagining your adult future. The following national links will take you to information designed to empower students with disabilities as they pursue higher education, meaningful employment, and independent living.
1. Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR)
Visit: parentcenterhub.org/transitionadult
The Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR) serves as a national hub for resources designed specifically for Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers across the U.S.
What they offer:
- Easy-to-understand guides on transition planning under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
- Resources on employment, postsecondary education, independent living, and self-determination
- Spanish-language materials and culturally responsive content
- Tools for families to advocate effectively for their youth as they transition into adulthood
2. Got Transition
Got Transition is a federally funded national resource center that focuses on health care transition – the process of moving from pediatric to adult health care.
What they offer:
- Tools for youth, families, and health care providers to plan health care transitions
- Personal health care checklists and readiness assessments
- Guidance on insurance, medical records, and managing chronic conditions in adulthood
- Resources tailored for youth with complex health needs or disabilities
3. ThinkWork! – Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston
Visit: thinkwork.org/topics/transition
The ThinkWork! initiative is part of the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts Boston. It focuses on the employment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
What they offer:
- Transition-focused research, toolkits, and model programs
- Success stories and innovations from schools and employment programs
- Policy briefs and recommendations for improving employment outcomes
- Support for employment-first policies that prioritize integrated work settings
4. National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)
Visit: youth.gov/federal-links/national-collaborative-workforce-and-disability
This federally funded initiative works to improve the ability of youth-serving systems (schools, workforce agencies, etc.) to support youth with disabilities in preparing for and entering the workforce.
What they offer:
- Research-based guides on career development, soft skills, and workplace success
- Materials for educators, employers, youth, and families
- Resources on cross-systems collaboration, youth leadership, and inclusive workforce practices
- Technical assistance and policy support for improving transition systems
5. Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT)
The DCDT is a subdivision of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and is committed to enhancing the quality and access of career development and transition services for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan.
What they offer:
- Professional development for educators, transition specialists, and rehabilitation counselors
- Evidence-based practices in career education, transition planning, and self-determination
- Conferences, policy updates, and a peer-reviewed academic journal
- Advocacy for inclusive practices and high expectations
6. National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative (NTACT:C)
NTACT:C is a federally funded center that supports educators, service providers, families, and youth in delivering effective transition services.
What they offer:
- High-quality tools and training on transition planning, work-based learning, postsecondary education, and independent living
- Resources aligned with IDEA, WIOA, and other federal mandates
- Implementation support for state and local education agencies
- Evidence-based practices and outcomes-driven models for improving post-school success
7. PACER Center / National Parent Center on Transition and Employment
The PACER Center, based in Minnesota, is home to the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment, a key national resource for families navigating the transition process.
What they offer:
- Youth-friendly guides and videos about jobs, college, and life skills
- Interactive tools for creating transition plans and timelines
- Webinars, toolkits, and materials written for parents, youth, and educators
- Personal stories and blog posts from youth with disabilities
- An inclusive, empowering approach focused on youth voice and choice