Higher Education

Resources for College Support

» Help for College Students with Disabilities 

A transition guide to postsecondary education and employment for students and youth with disabilities.

Transition planning is a process for students with disabilities that focuses on life after high school. Transition planning helps students with disabilities, as well as their parents and guardians, understand and the opportunities available to them after they graduate from high school, such as college, vocational rehabilitation, employment and independent living. Federal law requires that at age 14 (or younger, if determined appropriate by the IEP team), the IEP must include a statement of the student’s transition service needs.

» Grants for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities have some degree of an advantage when it comes to qualifying for education grants or scholarships. Since the passing of the IDEA, there has been a concerted effort to encourage disabled students to pursue their higher education at tradition public or private institutions. Many organizations, both public and private, sponsor grants for disabled students who would otherwise not have the financial resources to pursue their college education. There are foundations and associations throughout the country dedicated to funding grants and scholarships that address nearly every form of mental or physical disability.

» College Internship Program

CIP assists young adults with Asperger’s, High-functioning Autism, ADHD, and other Learning Differences to succeed in college, employment, and independent living. Full year and summer programs are located at colleges in Massachusetts, Florida, Indiana, California, and New York. The CIP program focuses on real-life skills in areas of social thinking, executive functioning, sensory processing, and wellness. Students with learning differences receive individualized supports in the area of social skills, college academics, internships, and career development and life skills. Residential apartment living support prepares students for independent living.

Resources for Vocational Supports

» Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, in collaboration with community partners, provides and advocates for resources and services to improve the employment, quality of life, security, and independence of older Virginians, Virginians with disabilities, and their families.

» Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center’s (WWRC)- Fishersville, VA

The Center provides vocational training to successfully prepare clients for employment, higher education, and/or other career development goals by maximizing their employment, occupational, and self-sufficiency skills. For example, the PERT Program assists students in their transition from high school to post secondary options. The Center also provides medical interventions such as driving services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, assistive technology, wheelchair seating evaluations, and brain injury services and clinic. WWRC exists to provide the skills and supports necessary to enable people with disabilities to accomplish greater independence and achieve competitive employment.

» CVCC Transition Program (CTP) 

Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, Virginia collaborates with Region 2000 school divisions, local businesses, and government to provide students with disabilities over 400 hours of instruction in employment skills in a variety of fields, mentoring to assist in transition to college life, and an opportunity to participate in assessments and internships in local businesses. Enrollment is generally through a referral by partnering school division, bu a limited number of individuals enter through CVCC’s Workforce Solutions and Community Education Office. For more information, please contact the Workforce Development Team at: 434-832-7607 or workforce@cvcc.vccs.edu.

» Goodwill Work and Training Services

Goodwill Work and Training Services assist youth, adults, and older workers in overcoming barriers to employment and achieving a level of independence to participate more fully in life. Goodwill’s programs are designed to provide individuals with the level of support needed to succeed. From daily intensive skills training to job coaching, people with barriers to employment receive valuable training and employment opportunities to help change their lives and make a difference in the community.