Ardis Bazyn and Sheila Styron share advice, from the student's perspective, on how to make college a successful experience. They cover a range of topics, including Choosing the Right College or University, Using Disabled Student Services, Knowing the Laws that Affect You, Training and Recruiting Readers and Drivers, Working your guide dog on campus, Auxiliary Aids and Services for Students with Disabilities, and Contacting Advocacy Organizations of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Source: American Council of the Blind
Transition Resources
In making the transition from the school years to adult life, students who are blind or visually impaired need information and advice specific to their needs. In this section you'll find resources for students, parents, families, and professionals.
This site provides a good overview on the effect of visual impairments on learning, types of assistive technology, and the kinds of accommodations provided at colleges. Includes a list of scholarships and grants.
Source: Affordable Colleges OnlineThis 185-page guide addresses the importance of self-determination, student involvement in the transition process, instruction and assessment, and much more (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Source: Council for Exceptional ChildrenIdentifies various types of transition assessment, guidelines for conducting an assessment, and criteria for selection of assessment tools.
Source: National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC)This document helps parents prepare their children for legal majority. It explains guardianship, the transfer of rights, and considerations about graduation.
Source: National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET)An overview of the elements of community-based rehabilitation; in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)A discussion of community-based rehabilitation, a description of projects in Uganda, and recommendations that are applicable to projects in other locations. Also available in PDF.
Source: Community Eye Health JournalThe necessity of understanding and integrating local culture into community-based rehabilitation programs. Also available in PDF.
Source: Community Eye Health JournalThis chapter from Sustainable Development and Persons with Disabilities: The Process of Self-Empowerment introduces community-based rehabilitation and assesses its possibilities and limitations.
Source: Africa Development ForumThis overview of community-based rehabilitation has links to related documents, including a matrix for designing a CBR strategy.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)In this 30-minute webcast, Mary Zatta describes the purpose and components of a vocational portfolio, and discusses the importance of development processes.
For more information on this topic, see this title from Perkins Publications: School to Work - Developing Transitional Portfolios for Students with Significant Disabilities
Source: Perkins School for the BlindThis 8-page brief provides an introduction to the transition process, including taking an early, long-range approach to planning, developing a comprehensive plan, an overview of participants in developing the transition plan, transferring rights at the age of majority, and putting it all together.
Source: ERIC DigestTowson University (MD) offers an online course to introduce advocates to how to use traditional and online media advocacy techniques to build awareness of disability issues. The course uses readings and media resources to guide participants through 12 self-paced units. Certificate of Completion is available.
Source: Towson UniversityFrequently asked questions on the housing rights of people with disabilities, and the legal responsibilities of housing providers and building and design professionals.
Source: HUD.govThis site now houses the resources from NICHCY, including Babies and Early Interventionists. In addition, there are also sections on: Child Care, Child Outcomes, Family Outcomes, IFSP, and Transition.
Source: Center for Parent Information and ResourcesEducational Advocacy is a self-directed tutorial that addresses topics of educational advocacy for parents, educators, and policymakers. Continuing education credits are available.
Source: Perkins eLearning, Perkins School for the BlindA review of teaching and intervention practices in transition services, with an evaluation of which practices correlate to a good transition outcome.
Source: NSTTACAn overview and definitions of guardianship, estate planning, and a special needs trusts, with useful online resources.
Source: Utah MedHome PortalInformation and resources about grants and scholarships, taxes, and financial help for people with disabilities. The scholarship information is organized by type of disability, e.g., hearing, vision, etc.
Source: Money GeekThe HEATH Resource Center is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities offering information on educational disability support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, accessing college or university campuses, career-technical schools, and other postsecondary training entities.
Source: National Youth Transitions Center