What happens after graduation? Where do you go? What will you do? Some students choose to continue their education. Some enroll in transition programs offered by their schools; while other students go to college. Believe it or not, there are institutions that do both. They are designed for youth with disabilities who need a little extra help adjusting to life as an adult. All colleges have a department that works directly with students with disabilities. They help you obtain needed accommodations for class. They may also facilitate the transitional programs previously mentioned.
College is not for everyone and it is not your only opportunity for education. Some organizations offer independent transitional programs. There are a number of technical and vocational skills programs as well. We have provided you a list of colleges, technical and independent transition programs in the Chicago-land area that you may be interested in pursuing.
Camelot for Kids http://www.camelotforkids.org
Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind www.chicagolighthouse.org
College Internship Program- The Bloomington Center www.collegeinternshipprogram.com
College of Dupage- Vocational Skills Program www.cod.edu
College of Lake County-Office for Students w/ Disabilities www.clcillinois.edu/info/osd
College of Lake County- Personal Success Program www.clcillinois.edu
Elmhurst College-Elmhurst Lifeskills Academy (ELSA) www.elmhurst.edu
Family Resource Center on Disabilities www.frcd.org
Glen Ridge Program www.glenridgeprogram.org
Great Lakes Disability & Business Technical Assistance www.adagratlakes.org
Jewish Child & Family Services www.jcfs.org
Jewish Vocational Services http://www.jvschicago.org/
Kenosha Achievement Center, Inc. www.thekc.com
KESHET www.keshet.org
National Association for Down Syndrome www.nads.org
National-Louis University- Pace Program www.nl.edu
North Shore Special Education District www.nssed.org
Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) www.sedol.k12.il.us
Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM) www.sedom.org
Triton College- Center for Students w/ Disabilities www.triton.edu