“It is important to remember that financial literacy, like all transition activities, should be started early as an ongoing process rather than waiting until the child is ‘transition age’ which is usually considered around age 14-16 in schools.” BY LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A. Students with disabilities need to have financial literacy as part of their transition to adult life. This will enable them to live more independently. The Arc has launched a Center on Financial Literacy […]
Groups for youth and young adults may provide opportunity for building a foundation of skills to address core concepts that enable youth to have meaningful participation in the process of planning for their own futures. BY ERIN SEIGH AND LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A. Students with disabilities need to learn how to advocate for themselves in order to foster independence when transitioning to adult life. Groups that encourage the voices of youth and young adults can help […]
Families should carefully weigh the pros and cons of charter schools and vouchers, and speak with their Parent Training and Information Center about their state laws, regulations, and policies regarding special education and charters or vouchers, before making a decision. BY MARIA DOCHERTY AND LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A. With the increased focus in the United States on charter schools and the use of vouchers to support student attendance at private schools, more and more parents of […]
BY LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A. AND DENISE BOUYER-HARGROVE It is essential that families are aware their child with special needs has the right to receive care and education in the least restrictive environment along with their age-appropriate peers. Many families are unaware that their child with a disability or special need could be included in a typical child care or preschool program. Also, parents may not be aware that their child transitioning from early intervention to […]
BY LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A. Many families have heard about “special needs trusts” (SNTs) for their children with disabilities (see Resources.) SNTs allow parents to save funds yet have it not affect their child’s eligibility for benefits by saving a certain amount. However, some families can’t afford an attorney to set up a SNT. Now the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act provides an alternative or even supplement for SNTs. HOW DOES AN ABLE ACCOUNT […]
