This webpage explores the life stories of thirteen leaders in the self-advocacy movement and their perspectives on key issues and leadership challenges. Part of the broader disability rights movement, the self-advocacy movement is unique in that it has been led and informed by the individual and collective experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are video excerpts available from these leaders on a variety of topics such as disability identification, sheltered workshops, experiences in school, independent living and more.
View the Website – Regional Oral History Office: Leaders with Developmental Disabilities in the Self-Advocacy Movement
This webpage contains Reap What You Sow, a curriculum that teaches youth with disabilities how to build a support system that promotes their personal power. This hands-on and interactive curriculum consists of group activities, videos, group brainstorming and discussion, games and more. It may take approximately 25 total hours to complete; however, since it is designed to be implemented in group settings, activities can be completed over the course of a few months.
View the Website – NYLN: Reap What You Sow Curriculum and Training
The intent of this document is to provide a synthesis of major findings in the area of self-determination pertaining to youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It offers a foundation with regard to knowledge obtained through research so as to guide intervention development and implementation and the provision of supports to enable people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to become more self-determined.
View the Academic Research – A National Gateway to Self-Determination: Self-Determination and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: What Does Research Tell Us?
This guide, available for free download on the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council’s website, offers information on how families can assist their adult children when they enter adulthood. It provides suggestions on how parents can plan to help their loved one with a disability upon their death, as well as how to avoid jeopardizing essential public medical and financial benefits. It also includes a glossary to help parents familiarize themselves with the terminology commonly used in estate planning.
Planning Now: A Futures and Estate Planning Guide for Families of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities (PDF).
This toolkit is designed to assist families on the journey from adolescence to adulthood. Topics covered in this guide include self-advocacy, transition planning, community living, employment, post-secondary educational opportunities, housing, health, legal matters to consider and more. This toolkit can be downloaded for free on the website.
View the Guide – Autism Speaks: Transition Tool Kit
This fact sheet, provided by the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, offers basic information about autism spectrum disorders. It describes the specific disorders on the autism spectrum, the characteristics associated with ASD, tips for parents and teachers, and helpful organizations.
View the Fact Sheet – NICHCY: Autism Spectrum Disorders (PDF).
This article focuses on the challenges students with disabilities face when making the transition from high school to postsecondary education. It reviews the literature about the transitional needs of these students and introduces a tool that can be used to determine readiness skills and assist educational professionals in addressing deficit areas.
View the Article – Council for Exceptional Children: “R U Ready?” Helping Students Assess Their Readiness for Postsecondary Education (PDF).
This article addresses the difficulties that adults with autism spectrum disorders have in finding information and services. It discusses the societal and research implications associated with this neglect, along with what can be done to address this issue.
View the Article – Autism in adults (PDF).
This website provides educational and networking opportunities for those involved in making change for people with disabilities. Through the online Learning Center, users can access information on a variety of topics. The national self-advocacy map allows individuals to find other self-advocates and connect with one another. Since each user must have a unique profile, registration and log-in are required.
View the Website – Self-Advocacy Online.
Pathway at UCLA Extension is a two-year certificate program for students with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, offering a blend of educational, social, and vocational experiences. On campus, Pathway students attend classes and participate with UCLA students in the many social, recreational, and cultural activities of a major university.
View the Website – Pathway at UCLA Extension.
