Transition Planning
Transitions can be a Challenge for Students with Special Needs. Find helpful information and resourses here.
Transition Planning
Transitions can be challenging for many young people, and for a child or young adult with a disability, it can often be complex and may require pre-planning and involvement from multiple sources. Whether your family is looking to create an Independent Education Plan (IEP), looking for information on scholarships for post-secondary education, securing a volunteer or paid position or applying for financial support, the articles and resources below will provide tips for their success and will help to identify ways to prepare them (and you) for life as a young adult.
Transition Planning from High School
TD Secure Futures and the RBC Future Launch Programs both aim to support youth with physical disabilities. With their generous financial support, Easter Seals Ontario was able to provide content, instruction and practical support to youth in an effort to prepare them as they transition from high school to post-secondary education.
The Pathways to Success Video Series and resources below will assist youth and their families by providing helpful information and inspiration as they transition from youth to adulthood.
Pathways to Success Video Series - Transition Planning for Youth with Physical Disabilities
Transition Planning: Lived Experiences
Transitional Challenges and Successes
Maayan Ziv is an activist, photographer and entrepreneur based in Toronto, Canada. From a young age, Maayan, who lives with muscular dystrophy, has challenged norms and worked within her community to increase awareness of disability issues and improve accessibility, through her work as Founder & CEO of AccessNow
Journey from Highschool to Post-Secondary
Sebastien Parent, was a 2022 Provincial Easter Seals Ambassador and currently studies Media Communications at Cambrian College. Sebastian lives with cerebral palsy and uses his passion for storytelling and creativity to inspire and empower others.
Read more about Sebastian’s Journey from Highschool to Post-Secondary.
Money Management
TD Financial Literacy Worksheets
- Money Talks Financial Fundamentals for Youth with Disabilities
- MoneyTalks – Worksheet 1 – Money and Emotions
- MoneyTalks – Worksheet 3 – Choosing a bank
- MoneyTalks – Worksheet 4 – Information about RDSP
- MoneyTalks – Worksheet 5 – Banking Safety
- MoneyTalks – Worksheet 6 – Tracking your Spending
- MoneyTalks – Worksheet 7 – Creating a Spending plan
TD – Supports for Students With Special Needs – Adaptive Learning Adaptive Learning
- Adaptive Learning
- Video – Money Matters Changed My Life
- Talking to kids about money | TD Stories
- Money Talks – Abilities Canada – Abilities magazine
- Money Talks – Financial Fundamentals for Youth with Disabilities
BMO
RBC
RBC Future Launch Resources to support students with disabilities develop pre-employment skills and knowledge
Managing Personal Finances
Saving for the Future
Preparing for Employment
Preparing for Work – Helpful Hints
Ontario Public/Service Summer Jobs
Planning for Post secondary
Scholarship Canada including OSAP
Disability Supports at Colleges & Universities
Funding Post-Secondary Education at College or University
NEADS’ (National Education Association of Disabled Students) Scholarships for Students With Disabilities
Prosper Canada’s Benefits Wayfinder – Information on Financial Benefits and Programs Including Disability Benefits, Employment, and Education Benefits
ScholarshipsCanada – Get Connected to Scholarships
Scholarship Listings Post-Secondary Scholarship Listings
Helpful Education Resources for Transition Planning
Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education provides additional resources for some of the key transitions are described, as well as methods to ensure that they are as smooth as possible.
Easter Seals Kids at School
Visit our Easter Kids at School blog at Education.EasterSeals.org to find helpful information about Special Education, SEAC, and Transitions.
Additional Resources for Transition Planning
Financial Support for Adults with Disabilities
Ontario Disability Support Program
ODSP offers income support and benefits.
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/
Moving to Post-secondary Education
Apprenticeships
Find out how you qualify and apply to be an apprentice in a skilled trade.
www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeshipOntario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
www.ontario.ca/page/ministry-training-colleges-universities
Ontario Student Assistance Program
Find out how you can get help paying for college or university.
www.ontario.ca/page/osap-ontario-student-assistance-program
Getting Ready for Employment
- At school in Grades 9 to 12 – Blog Article
- Transition Planning and the Individual Education Plan (IEP) – Blog Article
- Volunteering – Blog Article
Ontario Disability Support Program: Employment Supports
Supports for students age 16 to 18 and adults over the age of 18 to obtain and maintain employment.
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/social/odsp/employment_support/index.aspx
Adult Developmental Services
Developmental Services Ontario
Your access point for adult developmental services and supports.
www.dsontario.ca/Passport
Individualized Funding Program – Passport is a program that helps adults 18 years or older with a developmental disability to participate in their communities.
www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/mcss/programs/developmental/serviceSupport/passport.aspx
Transition Supports
Transition Planning Windsor-Essex for Youth with Developmental Disabilities
The purpose of this website is to give contact information, some tips, resources and practical information to assist with the transition away from the school system and into life as an adult.