All disabled young people have the right to become adults with full participation in society. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes disabled people's right to live independently, work, and be included in the community.
This page centers disabled young adults' expertise and the organizing of disability communities who have fought against systems that keep disabled people in perpetual childhood.
Jump to your country or region:
"Transition" refers to the period when disabled young people move from:
This is often a difficult time because:
Disabled adults have documented that transition systems often:
Good transition planning should support disabled young people in defining their own goals—whether that's employment, further education, community involvement, creative pursuits, or combinations.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires transition planning for all students with IEPs.
Timeline:
What Must Be Included:
Key Transition Services:
When special education ends, many services disappear. There is no entitlement to adult services like there is to education.
What ends:
What continues:
Start Early: Don't wait until graduation. Connect to these agencies 2-3 years before school exit:
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): State-federal program providing employment services. Apply at age 16+. Services may include job training, job placement, assistive technology, and support.
State Intellectual/Developmental Disability Agency: If eligible, may provide residential services, day programs, employment support, and case management. Waiting lists can be years long—apply early.
Social Security: Apply for SSI or SSDI if applicable. Can affect other benefits, so understand the implications.
Medicaid: Essential for many disabled adults. Understand your state's programs and whether you'll transition from children's Medicaid to adult Medicaid.
If college is the goal:
Insurance: Many young adults can stay on parents' insurance until age 26 (ACA provision). Plan for what comes next.
Providers: Pediatric providers have age limits. Start identifying adult providers well before you age out.
Self-Management: Practice managing your own healthcare appointments, medications, and communication with doctors.
Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) is a national organization led by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities advocating for self-determination.
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) provides resources on transition, including "Navigating College" and employment guides.
Think College promotes inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disability.
State transition councils and youth leadership forums bring together disabled young people to learn advocacy skills.
Transition services vary significantly by province since education and social services are provincially controlled.
Most provinces provide:
Ontario: Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) coordinates adult services for people with developmental disabilities. Apply early—waitlists are significant.
British Columbia: Community Living BC provides services to adults with developmental disabilities. Transition planning should connect to CLBC.
Alberta: Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program provides adult services.
Each province handles healthcare differently. Key steps:
People First of Canada is a national self-advocacy organization run by people with intellectual disabilities.
Provincial self-advocacy organizations support transition-age youth.
In England, EHCPs can continue until age 25 if the young person is in education or training. Transition planning is required from Year 9 (age 13-14).
Four Preparing for Adulthood Outcomes:
Local authorities assess adults for social care needs. Eligibility is based on the Care Act 2014, which has different criteria than children's services.
Key Points:
Options vary by local authority:
NHS England has policies on healthcare transition:
Preparing for Adulthood (from the National Development Team for Inclusion) provides resources on transition.
Learning Disability England advocates for and with people with learning disabilities.
Young disabled people's forums exist in many areas.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for disability supports. Transition planning should consider:
NDIS offers School Leaver Employment Supports for young people (typically ages 17-21) leaving school:
Some supports remain state-based:
Young People in Nursing Homes National Alliance advocates for young disabled Australians to live in the community, not institutions.
Down Syndrome Australia and other disability-specific organizations address transition.
State-based advocacy organizations provide support.
Transition planning and adult services vary dramatically worldwide. General principles:
In many countries:
Disabled people's organizations are essential resources for navigating transition in any context.
Face:
What helps: Connecting with mentors who share their identities, fighting for ambitious transition goals, demanding equal access to college preparation.
May face:
What helps: LGBTQ+ disability organizations, affirming providers, peer support.
Face:
What helps: Early planning, connecting to independent living programs, foster care transition supports.
Experience:
What helps: Knowing about free resources, SSI, Medicaid, and vocational rehabilitation.
Make sure your IEP includes college preparation. Request transition assessments focused on college. Visit college disability offices. Take challenging courses. Build self-advocacy skills.
Continue special education until age 21 (or 22). Use this time to build skills and connect to adult services. Don't let schools push early graduation without reason.
This is unfortunately common. Apply immediately anyway. Ask about emergency or priority placement. Explore alternatives (Medicaid waivers, family support, creative solutions). Advocate for systemic change.
These aren't mutually exclusive. Many people work and receive benefits. Look into Ticket to Work, PASS plans, and other work incentives that protect benefits while you work.
That's okay. Transition planning should help you explore options, not force immediate decisions. Request career exploration, job shadowing, informational interviews, and community experiences.
Your voice matters most. Self-determination is a right. If needed, bring advocates to meetings. Connect with peer mentors who've navigated similar situations.
Transition success often depends on self-advocacy—speaking up for yourself and your needs.
Did you navigate transition as a disabled young person? Are you supporting someone through this process? Do you have insight on transition in your country?
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This page centers disabled young adults' expertise. Content reflects disabled people's organizing for self-determination and full community participation.
Last updated: November 2025