Transitioning from high school to adult life is difficult for most teens, but it can be especially challenging for youth with disabilities. Additional challenges can leave many young adults with disabilities isolated, unemployed, or relying solely on state assistance. Unfortunately, this often results in a lack of independence and can become the norm in their life. The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way. Today, we are here to share with you how we help students prepare early and transition into employment and adult life with confidence and meaning.
Common Challenges Students Face After High School
While our state and education systems are designed to assist youth with disabilities and their families, those resources become limited or harder to access once they reach adulthood. It is common for students to face increasing challenges once they graduate from high school.
We often see young adults with disabilities have a lack of access to post-secondary programs or job training, in addition to limited support in navigating adult services like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), health insurance, or transportation.
This, in turn, frequently results in social isolation. They lose critical peer connection and the daily life structure that school once supplied. Without guidance, they may feel forced to stay home, which can lead to them relying on family or state assistance. Not only can this impact their confidence, physical health, and mental well-being, but it also places incredible strain on families who are trying to navigate systems alone.
That’s where Columbia Ability Alliance can help!
Student Employment Services: A Brighter Path Forward
At Columbia Ability Alliance, we provide student services to help youth with disabilities transition from high school to employment. We work alongside students, families, and schools to help bridge the gap between high school and employment. In our program, students build job skills, explore career interests, and set clear goals for life after high school.
Benefits of Working with Columbia Ability Alliance
When working with Columbia Ability Alliance, here is what students and their families can gain:
- Identifying Strengths and Interests
Knowing “what you want to be when you grow up” is a hard question for any teen. At Columbia Ability Alliance, we work with students to identify their strengths and career interests.
- Creation of a Personalized Transition Plan
Once we have established a potential career idea, we provide advice and pathways for them to develop further the skills needed to pursue these goals. This could be continued education, job training, internships, or entry-level jobs. Together, we establish the appropriate steps and timeline to outline their transition plan. In addition, we help students with job-readiness training, such as interview skills and resume building.
- Strengthening Independent Living Skills
As they transition into adulthood, we work with these youth to further develop their independent living skills, such as maintaining personal care, managing finances, and utilizing assistive technology.
- Support in Establishing Adult Status
As they approach graduation and turn 18, we help them establish their adult status. For example, we can assist in finalizing health insurance, completing voter registration, reviewing SSI benefits, and more. We are also available to provide advice on how to address critical needs like transportation, banking, or independent living.
At the end of the day, our goal isn’t just to help students find jobs, but to help them build meaningful, lasting careers.
Why Early Planning Matters
As youth prepare for their adult lives, it doesn’t just start in their senior year of high school or after they turn 18. If possible, starting their transition plan early is the best route for success. It gives them more time to explore interests, build life skills, and set realistic goals. We suggest initiating action in middle school, with each year working to achieve essential milestones to culminate in successful employment.
For a full description of our recommendation, check out our Timeline of Key Milestones for Students with Disabilities download.
Of course, starting at any age is better than not starting at all. Whether the youth in your life is 13 or 18, we are here to help!
Community Center for Ongoing Support
Not every student is ready for employment after graduation, and that’s okay. We all move at our own pace. For individuals who want to increase their skill-building and stay connected with others, our Community Center provides adult day services. Operating Monday through Friday, we offer a vibrant and welcoming space where individuals aged 18 and above with unique abilities or barriers can develop essential life skills, socialize with friends, and actively engage with our local community.
Let’s Start Building the Future
Life after high school doesn’t have to be a scary red question mark. With the right support, students with disabilities can find meaningful employment, build independence, and live full, empowered lives.
We encourage you to reach out to Columbia Ability Alliance’s Student Employment Services today to start building your transition plan. Columbia Ability Alliance’s Student Employment Services provides free support (when referred by partners like DVR, DDA, FCS, or school districts) to guide students and parents through this process.
