Nevada State Health Division

Last Updated: 01/16/09 07:33:20 AM

Independent Living

Transition: From School Into the World

Just when a family has thought they have navigated through the difficult and often confusing world of medical care, education, and financial supports they find themselves at the crossroads of leaving the known world of school and into the unknown world of work, college, or post-teen years care. It can often be overwhelming when facing such things as employment, training, further education, housing, and transportation. Many organizations and agencies are here to help the family navigate this process and find those answers they may be seeking. The following are a few of those organizations that the family should contact. Additionally, booklets with information on transition have been provided.

Office of Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services runs various programs to help youth transition into the post-secondary education world and to live independently in the community. Their programs include such things as the Developmental Disabilities Program, Independent Living Rehabilitation Services, Personal Assistance Service, and the State Assistive Technology Act Program. To find out more about their programs and how they can assist you please contact them.

Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Division - Transition/Youth/Student Services - this program provides students with disabilities the opportunity to gain work experience their junior and senior years of high school. The Rehabilitation Division believes that students who have taken part in two or more work experience opportunities will have a much better chance being successfully independent after high school. To find out more about the program, eligibility, or how to have a child referred contact the Rehabilitation Division.

Vocational Rehabilitation - The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation helps individuals with disabilities to become employed. Vocational Rehabilitation offers a variety of services that include assessment of eligibility and needs, rehab counseling, referral to other needed services, physical and mental restoration services, vocational training, job placement, etc. To find out more about the program visit their website or contact the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Nevada Division of Child and Family Services

The Office of Disability Services runs various programs to help youth transition into the post-secondary education world and to live independently in the community. Their programs include such things as the Developmental Disabilities Program, Independent Living Rehabilitation Services, Personal Assistance Service, and the State Assistive Technology Act Program. To find out more about their programs and how they can assist you please contact them.

Foster Care and Independent Living Program - The Division of Child and Family Services, DCFS, offers supports and education on transition for families of foster children. The Independent Living Program provides transition training and education to youths from ages 16-21. The program is designed to help prepare foster children for the transition to self sufficiency so that they can live alone and have a successful life. Please contact the agency for further details or information.

College and University Supports for Disabled Students

University of Nevada, Reno - Disability Resource Center - This site provides valuable information on what services are available to students with disabilities so they and their parents can plan the student's future at the University. The purpose of the Disability Resource Center at the University of Nevada, Reno is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from all university programs. The DRC was created to meet the unique educational needs of students with disabilities and their staff is available to provide students with sensitive and individualized assistance at the student's request. For further info visit their website or contact them.

Truckee Meadows Community College - Disability Resource Center - Students with documented disabilities have the right to free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at Truckee Meadows Community College. The college Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides disability services at no charge to the student. Students are responsible for filling out an application, providing documented proof of their disability, participating in a personal interview, and assisting in the development of an accommodation plan. The DRC also offers supportive and informative services to students with disabilities. Please contact them for more information or visit their website.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Disability Services - Disability Services provides academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities who are otherwise qualified to attend UNLV. Their website provides a large amount of information and advice to help a student with disabilities to have a successful university experience. For further information you can contact them directly or visit their website.

Community Colleges of Southern Nevada - Disability Resource Centers - The Community College of Southern Nevada makes every effort to make its campuses fully accessible to students with disabilities. The college's Disability Resource Center offers special accommodations to help students with documented disabilities with their academic and vocational pursuits. In addition, the DRC offers three full-time Disability Specialists to answer any questions or help solve any problems that may arise due to a documented disability. The office also offers adaptive equipment to those who qualify to ensure equal access to all CCSN sponsored activities. Visit their website or contact them for further information.

Western Nevada Community College - By providing necessary support, WNCC helps students attain their academic, vocational and personal goals at WNCC. DSS provides qualified students with disabilities equal access to higher education through academic support services, technology, and advocacy in order to promote their independence, retention and graduation. For a list of their offices and further information please visit their website or contact them directly.

Nonprofit Organizations in Nevada

Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living (NNCIL) - Serving urban and rural northern Nevada communities, NNCIL offers services to individuals with significant disabilities, whose disability is creating a barrier toward independent living in the family, community or in employment. They provide services such as information and referral, independent living (life) skills, counseling, advocacy for interaction at both the individual and systems level, housing and transportation assistance, and adaptive environment assistance. Please contact them for further information.

Southern Nevada Center for Independent Living (SNCIL) - SNCIL offers services to individuals with significant disabilities, whose disability is creating a barrier toward independent living in the family, community or in employment. They provide services such as information and referral, independent living (life) skills, counseling, advocacy for interaction at both the individual and systems level, housing and transportation assistance, and adaptive environment assistance. Please contact them for further information.

Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) - PEP offers advice and training for individuals with disabilities who will soon be facing the transition from school into the post-education world. They also offer publications and printed materials that provide helpful information which can be valuable during the transition process. Please contact them for further information.

Nevada Disability and Law Center (NDALC) - Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center (NDALC) is Nevada's federally mandated protection and advocacy system for the human, legal, and service rights for individuals with disabilities. NDALC will advocate for students to receive appropriate transition planning services from the school district. NDALC will only provide representation at select individualized education plan (IEP) meetings. NDALC will provide direct representation and advocacy, as resources permit, to students with disabilities to assist them in obtaining adequate transition services as required under IDEA. Please contact them for further information.

National Organizations Websites

There are many national organizations who have websites that provide information on many different types of situations children with disabilities may face while growing up. The following sites offer various information on helping youth transition from school into the post-education world.

National Center For Learning Disabilities - This site has information that can help children and youths plan their futures and to be aware of what they should be doing to prepare themselves. The site helps youths to assess their interests, their capabilities, their strengths and weaknesses, and the issues they will be facing with regard to living. They stress that a learning disability should not be viewed as a barrier to an individual's future. Beyond transition the organization also provides information on advocacy, learning disabilities, and general information which may be important to an individual with a disability.

Learning Disabilities Online (LDOnline) - provides many written resources on transition for individuals with learning disabilities. The site provides information and supportive material on a large variety of transition issues. In addition, the site also provides information on a very large selection of disability related topics.

Publications and Information on Independent Living

Transition: The Passage from Youth To Adulthood - This guide provides excellent information for families and parents of children with disabilities. It is designed to help parents guide their children through the school process and into the post-education world. Although developed for use in the state of Florida, the guide nevertheless provides excellent information that can be used here in Nevada with regard to education and employment.

Transition and Your Adolescent With Learning Disabilities - A booklet designed to help parents understand the challenges, planning, and future of their child going through the transition process. The booklet provides good information on what a parent and their youth will need to do to plan and accomplish a successful future after leaving secondary education.

Contact Information

Office of Disability Services 3656 Research Way Suite 32 Carson City, NV 89706 Phone: (775) 687-4452	DETR - Rehabilitation Division 505 East King Street, Room 502 Carson City, Nevada 89701-3705 Phone: (775) 684-4040 Email: detrvr@nvdetr.org

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation 505 East King Street, Room 501 Carson City, NV 89701-3705 Phone: (775) 684-4070	Division of Child and Family Services Northern Nevada Coordinator 330 So. Center St., Suite 250 Reno, NV 89501-2129 Phone: (775) 337-4400

Division of Child and Family Services Southern Nevada Coordinator 6171 W. Charleston Blvd Building 12 Las Vegas, NV 89102-1126 Phone: (702) 486-6169	Western Nevada Community College Disability Support Services Bristlecone 103 Carson City, NV 89706 Phone: (775) 445-3266

Northern Nevada Center for Independent Living 999 Pyramid Way Sparks, NV 89431 Phone - Reno/Sparks: (775) 353-3599 Phone - Fallon: (775) 423-4900 Phone - Elko: (775) 753-4300	Southern Nevada Center For Independent Living 6039 Eldora Suite F-6 Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone - Las Vegas: 800-870-7003 Phone - Las Vegas Metro: (702) 889-4216 Phone - North Las Vegas/Rural: (702) 649-3822

University of Nevada, Reno Disability Resource Center (DRC) Thompson Building Suite 101 Reno, NV 89507 Phone: (775) 784-6000 Email: mzabel@admin.unr.edu	University of Nevada, Las Vegas Disability Resources 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 452015 Las Vegas, NV 89154-2015 Phone: (702) 895-0866 Email: les@ccmail.nevada.edu

Community College of Southern Nevada Disability Resource Center (DRC) All Campuses Phone: (702) 651-4700	Truckee Meadows Community College Disability Resource Center (DRC) 7000 Dandini Boulevard, RDMT 120 Reno, Nevada 89512-3999 Phone: (775) 673-7277

Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) 2355 Redrock St. Suite 106 Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone: 1 (800) 216-5188 Email: pepinfo@nvpep.org	Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) 4600 Kietzke Lane Suite G-173 Reno, Nevada 89502 Phone: 1 (800) 216-5188 Email: pepinfo@nvpep.org

Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center Southern Nevada 6039 Eldora Avenue Suite C Box-3 Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone: (702) 257-8150 Phone TTY: (702) 257-8160 Phone Toll Free: 1 (888) 349-3843 Email: ndalc@ndalclv.org	Nevada Disability Advocacy & Law Center Northern Nevada 1311 North McCarran #106 Sparks, NV 89431 Phone: (775) 333-7878 Phone TTY: (775) 788-7824 Phone Toll Free: 1 (800) 992-5715 Email: reno@ndalc.org