Transition: Education Resources
Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby
The Center for Accessibility and Neurodiversity (CAN) at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby provides a wide range of supports and services to empower diverse learners. CAN services include:
- Accommodations
- Resources and study skills support
- Success coaching
CAN is on the Oglesby Campus in room C-211. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also make an appointment by contacting Tina Hardy at (815) 224-0284 or tina_hardy@ivcc.edu.
Charting the LifeCourse Nexus Training and Technical Resource Center
Charting the LifeCourse Nexus or LifeCourse Nexus framework was developed by families to help individuals with disabilities at any age or stage of life and their families develop a vision for a good life. LifeCourse Nexus provides free infographics, YouTube videos and step-by-step tip sheets to help people of all ages and abilities with identifying their dreams and desires, thinking about what they need to know and do, identifying how to find or develop supports, and discovering what it takes to live the lives they want to live.
The LifeCourse Nexus Library features a wide range of downloadable materials to help with the transition from school to community, including:
- Person-centered tools for exploring your desires and unique needs
- The family perspective booklet and tip sheets
- Kits (The Life Domains) focusing on life stages and exploring employment, healthy living, housing options and other areas
- Videos and step-by-step tip sheets on using the Integrated Supports Star tools to bring everything together
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.
The website includes:
- A search tool for finding local resources and organizations that support people living with paralysis
- A paralysis resource guide
- Comprehensive resources and support for people living with paralysis and their caregivers
- Information on the inclusive “Outdoors for Everyone” initiative
College Illinois! 529 Prepaid Tuition Program
The College Illinois! Prepaid Tuition Program was established in 1997 to help make college a reality for Illinois families. College Illinois! helps to lock in the cost of college by allowing Illinois families to prepay for future tuition at today’s plan rates.
College Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Information from College Scholarships.org about college scholarships available to students with disabilities.
DSCC and Illinois LEND’s Transition Resources for Hispanic Teens in the Chicago Area
The transition to adulthood can be a challenging time for both adolescents and their parents. These challenges can be more difficult when the adolescent has a disability.
Illinois LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) and the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) partnered to provide helpful information about the unique challenges Hispanic families can face during the transition to adulthood. This resource list is aimed at transition-age teenagers and their families in the Chicago area:
DSCC’s Education Skills Checklist
The Division of Specialized Care for Children’s (DSCC) education skills checklist can help youth and their families identify the skills and abilities they have met as well as those areas where they may need more focus. Some of these activities may not apply to everyone.
DSCC’s Paying for College Tip Sheet
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs and their families learn more about available resources to help pay for college. The tip sheet includes details about possible funding sources and scholarship opportunities:
DSCC’s Planning and Going to College Tip Sheet
Knowing your strengths, setting goals, and understanding the options and supports available for attending college is important. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) created this tip sheet to help youth with special healthcare needs start planning for college. It includes important things to consider when planning and helpful higher education resources.
DSCC’s Planning for Accommodations at College Tip Sheet
Youth with disabilities preparing for college can use this Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) tip sheet to learn about the types of accommodations available and how to receive them.
DSCC’s Planning for Accommodations at College tip sheet in English
DSCC’s Planning for Accommodations at College tip sheet in Spanish