National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance

http://www.nsttac.org/

North Carolina Division Career Development and Transition

http://www.ncdcdt.org

Hearing Impaired Focused Transition Site

http://www.pepnet.org/itransitionsupport.asp       

Guardianship/ Age of Majority

http://www.doa.state.nc.us/yaio/publications.htm

http://www.doa.state.nc.us/yaio/resources.htm

http://www.nc-ddc.org/publications/brochures.html

http://www.nccourts.org/Support/FAQs/FAQs.asp?Type=15&language=1 (Guardianship)

http://www.ncdcdt.org

ADDITIONAL SITES:

http://www.heath.gwu.edu

http://www.ncset.org

http://transitioncoalition.org

Institute for Academic Success - A project to improve the high success of students with disabilities.

The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) - coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.

National Council on Disability - promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all people with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability, and to empower them to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.

Western Regional Resource Center: Secondary Transition - This web site is a project of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs & the University of Oregon.

Transition Assessment and Planning

Aptitude Test - Career Assessment

The Career Key

Career Assessments - Interest Inventory

Kansas-Transition

CAREER INTEREST INVENTORY

Career Assessment Tools & Tests for Students, Job-Seekers

A Life 4 Me - A cyber community for middle school aged kids with disabilities who are planning to graduate from high school with a special diploma or a certificate of program completion - not a standard or modified diploma. Click on "Graham" to learn more and refer parents to this site.

Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment (ACLSA) - an evaluation of youth independent living skills. It consists of statements about life skills that the youth and his/her caregivers complete.

The Career Key - a professional test that measures an individual's skills, abilities, values, interests, and personality. It identifies jobs and provides information about salaries, job outlook, and job training requirements.

Careerlink Inventory - designed to match the way individuals see themselves - their interests, aptitudes, temperaments, physical capacities, preferred working conditions and desired length of preparation for employment - with available career information from the US Department of Labor.

O'Net Career Exploration Tools - three self-directed career exploration/assessment tools to help workers consider and plan career options, preparation, and transitions more effectively. They also are designed for use by students who are exploring the school-to-work transition

The Perfect Career Interest Inventory - A free 30-minute interest inventory.

Postsecondary Education and Training

Association on Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD) - AHEAD is the premiere professional association committed to full participation of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education.

BrainTrack College and University Directory - The BrainTrack Careers and Colleges section offers in-depth career profiles as well as degree and wage statistics for over 300 occupations that commonly require college or university education. The site includes Original Career Profiles for those considering a specific career (typical occupation responsibilities, activities, and requirements); Career Statistics by compiling information for over 300 occupations in the US that usually require higher education; and Schools by State for those seeking a college program for a new career (or for advancing a career).

College Foundation of North Carolina - College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina that helps students plan, apply, and pay for college. CFNC is a partnership of Pathways, the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc.

Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology (DO-IT) - Serves to increase the participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. It promotes the use of computer and networking technologies to increase independence, productivity, and participation in education and employment.

Going to College - This website contains information about living college life with a disability. It's designed for high school students and provides video clips, activities, and additional resources that can help you get a head start in planning for college.

HEATH Resource Center - Online Clearinghouse on Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities.

ThinkCollege - This website will provide information and links to anyone interested in finding out more about postsecondary options around the country for youth with intellectual disabilities. Provides a list and contact information for many such programs located on college campuses.

Transition to College - Website of the Postsecondary Education Research Center with links to internet resources; answers to frequently asked questions related to developing or expanding services for students with intellectual disabilities in college settings.

Employment and Careers

America's Career InfoNet - provides national, state and local career information and labor market data using unique career tools, career & industry profiles, videos, a career resource library, and other innovative web based tools.

America's Job Bank - a major national online labor exchange. Businesses post job listings, create customized job descriptions and search resumes. Job seekers post resumes and search for jobs that fit their career goals.

Career Voyages - provides information on high growth, high demand occupations along with the skills and education needed to attain those jobs.

CareerOneStop - is a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored Web site that offers career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses, and workforce professionals to foster talent development in a global economy. Awesome site! Click on the word " students " to vist the sites area for secondary school students.

CDM Career Zone - Explore the occupations suggested to you by the CDM! Read a general job description, typical work activities, skills, education or training in these areas, wages, job outlook, and similar jobs. You may also look for job openings in this occupation in your own community.

Department of Labor - The DOL Youth and Labor page provides information regarding youth involvement in the workforce such as: statistics, age requirements, labor laws and more.

Employment Strategies for Youth with Disabilities - The PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) Center website provides this guide to employment for youth and adults with disabilities. Finding a job, your rights, reasonable accommodations, and work incentives are some of the topics that PACER covers.

Futures$Kids - Futures for Kids, or F4K, is an online career exploration tool that uses technology to connect students with real people and employers across North Carolina to show them the relevance of high school graduation to their future success.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - a free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by: 1) providing individualized worksite accommodations solutions, 2) providing technical assistance regarding the ADA and other disability related legislation, and 3) educating callers about self-employment options.

Kids.gov - This site by Afterschool.gov provides a internet information center for teenagers. In addition to information about college and finding a job, the site offers learning opportunities and a discussion of issues that concern teenagers.

LifeWorks - provides information on careers in the medical field. Job seekers can view careers alphabetically or by Interest Area, Education Required or Median Salary.

Occupational Outlook Handbook - a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives.

VolunteerMatch - Locate a volunteer opportunity by entering your zip code to search in your area. Volunteering is an excellent way to learn work skills, focus in on an area of interest, develop leisure skills and find friends and natural community supports.

Workforce³One - A dynamic knowledge network featuring innovative workforce solutions. Online learning events and tools help you learn how to develop stratgies that enable individuals to be successful inthe 21st century economy.

Youth Rules! - This DOL site has information on how youth, parents, educators and employers can participate in youth workforce development.

Independent Living

Institute for Community Inclusion - A handbook on transition for students.

The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) - the oldest cross disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents over 700 organizations and individuals including: Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.

Self-Advocacy

Institute for Community Inclusion - A handbook on transition for students.

LD Self Advocacy Manual - A free online manual.

The National Disabled Students Union (NDSU) - a national, cross-disability, student organization dedicated to social justice for all. Our mission is to mobilize and organize students with disabilities throughout the nation in order to continue the legacy of empowerment and community solidarity that is our heritage.

National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) and the Kids As Self-Advocates (KASA) project - A national project offering information on self-advocacy and access for youth with disabilities.

The Self Advocacy Synthesis Project  - Created by The West Contra Costa Unified School District in Richmond, California. This unit is designed to help students take a good hard look at themselves and their plans for the future. As they work through the various lessons, they will write, create projects, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses in the context of Gardner's "Multiple Intelligences." They will compare themselves with their visions of the ideal person. They will look at individual differences, and how these differences can be important in finding one's niche in life.

The Self Advocacy Synthesis Project - The Self-Advocacy Synthesis Project at the University of North Carolina Charlotte is funded by a one-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs.

StrengthofUs - StrengthofUs is an online community designed to empower young adults through resource sharing and peer support and to build connections for those navigating the unique challenges and opportunities in the transition-age years. StrengthofUs provides opportunities to connect with peers and offer support, encouragement and advice and share real world experiences, personal stories, creativity, resources.

Youths 4 Advocacy - Our Y4A team offers tools that assist youths to speak up. Whether or not you have attended a Y4A workshop, we want to support you to make good decisions about your future.

Teaching Resources and Lesson Plans

Career Activities and Vocational Lesson Plans - a compendium of lesson plans and career activities.

Super Duper Publications - Free handouts and other materials.

Additional Websites

National Transition Alliance for Youth with Disabilities

School-to-Work Outreach Project

How Stuff Works

The Council for Exceptional Children

College NET

Overview of Vocational School, Colleges and Universities

Literacy Online National Center for Adult Literacy

LD Resources

LD Online

America's Job Bank

Job Bank USA

The Online Career Center

North Carolina State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee II

The Career Key

National Resources

• www.thearc.org
  The Arc of the United States has large amounts of free information about disability. Use the The Arc Action Center to contact North Carolina's legislators. The Action Center provides sample letters/talking points etc on specific legislative issues that require advocacy.
• www.nod.org
  The National Organization on DisABILITY. The National Organization on Disability promotes full and equal participation of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life.
• www.rarediseases.org
  The National Organization for Rare Disorders is dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them. NORD is committed to the identification, treatment, and cure of rare disorders through programs of education, advocacy, research, and service. The searchable database allows users to gather information about specific conditions.
• www.ada.gov
  The Americans with Disability Act webpage offers information on the ADA as well as technical assistance, complaint filing, universal design standards and more.
• www.autism-society.org
  The mission of the Autism Society of America is to promote lifelong access and opportunities for persons within the autism spectrum and their families, to be fully included, participating members of their communities through advocacy, public awareness, education, and research related to autism.
• www.ndss.org
  The National Down Syndrome Society web site has information related to the organization dedicated to people with Down Syndrome.
• www.ldanatl.org
  The Learning Disabilities Association has information geared to people with learning disabilities. There is a link to the LDA of NC.

State Resources

• www.disabilityrightsnc.org
  Disability Rights North Carolina (DRNC) is NC's federally mandated statewide protection and advocacy program and is committed to promoting and preserving disability rights in the North Carolina. All DRNC advocacy services are based on a philosophy of self-determination, equal access, and peer support to be achieved through individual, professional and systemic advocacy. Services are delivered in a manner that is intended to maximize leadership, independence, productivity and integration of individuals with disabilities.
• www.nc-ddc.org
  The NC Council on Developmental Disabilities is part of a national network of organizations that assist people with developmental disabilities that work to promote the "independence, productivity, integration and inclusion into the community" of people with developmental disabilities and their families. The website has publications to download as well as information and resources.
• www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncodh
  The NC office on Disability and Health works to promote the health and wellness of persons with disabilities in North Carolina through an integrated program of policy, practice and research. There are many FREE health and recreation publications available on the site.
• www.autismsociety-nc.org
  The Autism Society of NC website provides information about autism, ASNC programs and the support and resources that are available for people with autism and their families.
• www.bianc.net
  The Brain Injury Association of North Carolina is devoted to traumatic brain injury.
• www.naminc.org
  The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill in North Carolina website has information and resources related to mental illness.
• www.nc.eastersealsucp.com The Easter Seals UCP North Carolina website. This has information on programs run by Easter Seals UCP.
• www.tadpole.org
  Generations-Tadpole lends and delivers low-tech assistive technology devices and toys FREE to families and professionals all across North Carolina. Anyone working with an individual with a disability is eligible to borrow items and to receive free shipping.
• www.fsnnc.org
  The Family Support Network of NC provides information, family support groups and parent to parent matching. They also publish an annual summer camp directory.
• www.fifnc.org
  First In Families of North Carolina assists people with disabilities and their families to achieve their goals and realize their dreams.
• www.ncatp.org
  The North Carolina Assistive Technology Program is a state and federally funded program that provides statewide assistive technology services to people of all ages and abilities.
• www.sonc.net
  North Carolina Special Olympics website.
• www.nc-guardian.org
  The NC Guardianship Association web site provides information on membership, education and training opportunities, resources and the registered guardianship program.
• www.ncdhhs.gov
  The Dept. of Health and Human Services is responsible for programs in NC for people with mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse issues.
• www.ncga.state.nc.us
  The NC General Assembly web page has links to your local representatives, information on pending legislation and more.
• www.ncei.org
  NC Early Intervention is the system of services provided by many different agencies and programs for children birth to five who have, or are at risk of having developmental delays.
• www.ncpartnersinpolicymaking.com
  "Partners" is a leadership training program designed for parents of young children with disabilities and self-advocates ages 18 and older. The overall goal of the “Partners” program is to empower families and self-advocates. The program explores disability issues and builds leadership skills, which can impact disability services at all levels.

Education

• www.ncpublicschools.org/ec
  NC Dept of Public Instruction Exceptional Children's Division. You can request a copy of Procedures Governing Programs and Services for Children with Disabilities. Also downloadable IEP forms, testing information etc.
• www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/OSEP
  Office of Special Ed Programs, the federal branch of special education. IDEA is a federal mandate that all states must comply with.
• www.ecac-parentcenter.org
  Exceptional Children's Assistance Center is the federally mandated Parent Information and Training Center in North Carolina. ECAC conducts parent training workshops across the state and has parent information packets on a variety of topics related to educational information. They also have a very comprehensive free lending library for parents.
• www.ncset.org
  The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and disseminates information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.
• www.dotolearn.com
  Do to Learn has picture communication cards, schedules, calendars and more for free download. There are also free songs and games for children to teach them about safety issues and other topics.
• www.reedmartin.com
  Legal information, publications, etc.
• www.wrightslaw.com
  Legal information, publications.
• www.ideapractices.org
  Lots of good links. Federally funded information site.
• www.fape.org
  Lots of good information available in English, Spanish and Hmong.
• www.ldonline
  Targets learning disabilities but there is a lot of good information that applies to all kids.

Victims of Crime

• www.nccadv.org
  The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) is a community of agencies and individuals who serve battered women and their children.
• www.nccasa.org
  The North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault is an inclusive statewide alliance working to end sexual violence through education, advocacy, and legislation.
• www.nc-van.org
  North Carolina Victim Assistance Network is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization founded in 1986, North Carolina Victim Assistance Network promotes the rights and needs of crime victims by educating North Carolina's citizens and public policy leaders about the devastating impact that crime has on our society.