A Brief Overview Connecting to the World through Mobility I want to invite you to take 30 seconds and think back to when you were a kid. What did you love to do? Why did you love it? How did this contribute to who you were, and how see yourself now? For me, it was Read More
Category: My Life / My Plan
Information on planning with your friends and family about what you want your life to look like in the future.
Back To School Checklist!
Late summer is the time to gather school supplies, find out what time the school bus will pick up and drop off, and prepare to find new classrooms and meet new teachers. Parents of students with disabilities have some additional things to check off the list to be ready for the year ahead. As August Read More
Traumatic Brain Injury in Youth
A Brief Overview Full Article A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that affects how the brain works. TBI can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. The exact definition of TBI, according to special education law, is referenced later. This injury can change how the person thinks, behaves, and moves. A traumatic brain Read More
Disability and Sexual Health Education
A Brief Overview Full Article Parents or guardians are the first and primary sexual health educators of children. What parents and caregivers believe, say, and do can have a powerful influence on the development of healthy sexuality in children. This article provides resources to support healthy sexuality for families and youth, including standards and instruction Read More
Supported Decision Making is an Option for Adults with Disabilities
A Brief Overview Full Article When a young person turns 18, most decisions are now up to them. In Washington State, age 18 is the “age of majority,” which means a person 18 or older has the right to make their own decisions about education, work, money matters, voting and more. Note: In Washington the Read More
Bullying at School: Resources and the Rights of Students with Special Needs
A Brief Overview Full Article Students with disabilities who are bullied at school have legal protections, and schools have added responsibilities to ensure their safety and well-being. When acts of bullying involve discrimination based on disability, race, sex, or religion, federal agencies classify those acts as harassment. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Read More
Military Family Resources for Youth and Young Adults Transitioning from High School
The links below will help you find resources for employment or post-high school education in any state to which you may move. NEW: Directory-University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs) Directory of LEND programs Employment Employment Center at your installation (check out the installation website-under Morale, Welfare and Recreation) List of Vocational Rehabilitation agencies Read More
Stay Stubborn! One Girl’s Self-Determination while Navigating Healthcare
By Kyann Flint Being stubborn is the right approach when it means self-determination. Having the drive to learn what you want and need and then speak up for yourself gives you control over your life. I learned that lesson young. By age 6, I was advocating in my own healthcare. My doctor wanted to stick Read More
COVID-19 and Disability: Access to Work has Changed
By Kyann Flint The world of work is generally not built for the disability community. Federal laws guarantee the right to work and the right to accommodations, but modern-day jobs do not always give each person an opportunity to succeed. Many workers with disabilities must try harder to make the job fit, and some employers Read More
Attention Students: Lead your own IEP meetings and take charge of your future
A Brief Overview Full Article If you are a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), read this article to find out how you can be a leader on your IEP team. Your future is counting on you! By the time you are 16 years old, the school is required to invite you to your IEP meetings. Read More
Journeys in Healthcare from a Youth Perspective Part 2
My Life, My Plan – Meet Ivanova
Knowing your disability
Mia’s Story – Learn more about CHARGE Syndrome
My story: The Benefits of Working with Agencies like the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind
Getting a job right after I graduated was a very exciting and scary experience. Luckily, I had Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) staff to help me along the way because without their help, experiencing new things would have been difficult. At first, I was nervous. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do Read More