Individuals with disabilities often require supplementary support during their transition to adulthood. Following high school, families will engage with various community resources to assist their young adults in leading fulfilling and productive lives.
Below is a list of community resources to guide you through this process. Should you require further assistance, please contact our District Transition Coordinator, Michelle Cottrell, at mcottrell@jths.org or 815-727-6807
ABLE Accounts
ABLE Accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities and their families, were created as a result of the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 or better known as the ABLE Act. The beneficiary of the account is the account owner, and income earned by the accounts will not be taxed. Contributions to the account, which can be made by any person (the account beneficiary, family, friends Special Needs Trust or Pooled Trust.
Why is there a need for an ABLE Account?
Millions of individuals with disabilities and their families depend on a wide variety of public benefits for income, health care and food and housing assistance. Eligibility for these public benefits (SSI, SNAP, Medicaid) require meeting a means/resource test that restricts eligibility to individuals with less than $2,000 in liquid resources, such as cash savings, non-ABLE checking and savings accounts and some retirement funds. Having an ABLE account allows you to put funds into this account and not effect the $2,000 limit of funds and lose of benefits such as SSI, SNAP, Medicaid.
Visit the ABLE National Resource Center https://www.ablenrc.org/get-started/ to learn more about ABLE Accounts.
View the presentation below to learn more about ABLE Accounts.
Need more support?
Additional community Non-profits and Supports to help with Federal and State
disability programs.
If you have further questions or need additional assistance reach out to our JTHS district
Coordinator.
Learn more about guardianship!
There are several different types of guardianship to consider.
For more information on Guardianship view the presentations below:
How do I start the process of guardianship?
The Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission is a free community resource that was developed to assist individuals and families with issues of guardianship. The website is www.gac.state.il.us. Phone 708-338-7500; TTY 866-33-3362.
When filing for Guardianship you can choose to file independently or use an attorney to complete the process.
For information on how to file a guardianship case in court without an attorney review these resources:
For information on how to file the case in court with an attorney review these community resources:
Need more support?
Additional community non-profits and supports to help with guardianship
If you have further questions or need additional assistance reach out to our JTHS district Coordinator.
Federal and State Disability Programs
There are several federal and state programs that help individuals with disabilities in areas of supplemental income, insurance, and funding for support needed to live a productive life.
*Don’t forget to get a STATE ID. Many agencies recommend getting a STATE ID before starting the process of applying for other programs. Learn more about the free state id HERE.
Below is a video giving an overview of the programs available.
CLICK HERE FOR THE PRESENTATION
SSI & SSDI are minute 0 thru 46
Medicaid starts at minute 47
CLICK HERE FOR THE SLIDES
Social Security Information Review
Applying for Social Security
There is a lot of information you need to have ready. Review the SSA starter kit worksheet before filling online or attending an appointment. (click here for adult worksheet) (click here for child worksheet).
There are three ways to apply for Social Security
1. You can make an appointment at the Social Security Office in Joliet by calling 866-783-7302 OR 800-772-1213
2. Complete the full application online HERE.
3. Initiate an application online HERE.
Medicaid- AABD (Aid to the aged, blind, and disabled) Information Review
What if I already have private insurance?
How does AABD affect other programs?
Applying for Medicaid-AABD (aid to the aged, blind and disabled)
1. Apply online HERE.
2. Apply over the phone
SNAP Benefits
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps) helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health.
Applying for SNAP benefits
1. Apply online HERE.
2. Apply Using a Paper Application
3. Apply over the phone. Call DHS Help Line 800-843-6154 TTY 866-324-5553
Need more support?
Additional community Non-profits and Supports to help with Federal and State disability programs.
• The Arc of Illinois 9980 190th Court Mokena, IL Phone (815)464-1832
• DRC (Disability Resource Center) 77 N. 129th Infantry Drive (815)729-0162
• FULL LIST of advocacy community support agencies HERE
If you have further questions or need additional assistance reach out to our JTHS district Coordinator.
PACE and PARATRANSIT Travel Support
PARATRANSIT is an ADA bus ride share service. It runs along the same routes as PACE, but provides additional supports that are not available on PACE such as pick up at door.
View the Brochure HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
The individual must call 312-663-4357. This requires an in-person assessment. Pace will provide transportation to and from the assessment at no charge.
RIDE FREE is for seniors and people with disabilities who are enrolled in the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access program. These individuals are eligible to ride free on the CTA, Metra and Pace fixed-route services. Eligibility in the Illinois Department on Aging’s Benefit Access Program (BAP) is required to be found eligible for the RTA Ride Free program. Review the link on Medicaid to learn more about ABA HERE.
View the Brochure HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
View the Application HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
REDUCED FARE is for seniors and people with qualifying disabilities to ride at a reduced rate on CTA, Metra and PACE.
View the Brochure HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
View the Application HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
ACCESS PILOT PROGRAM is a discount PACE program for individuals who receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-sometimes called food stamps).
View the Brochure HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
View the Application HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
TRAVEL TRAINING helps seniors and individuals with disabilities learn how to use Metra, PACE and CTA. Travel Training helps people become more independent in their travel.
View the Brochure HERE (English)
Need more support?
If you have further questions or need additional assistance reach out to our JTHS District Transition Coordinator.
College and Post Secondary Supports for Individuals with Disabilities
There are several supports available for individuals who need additional support for post-secondary and college pursuits.
Two services that you can sign up for while still at JTHS are DRS STEP and TRIO.
Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS-STEP)
DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities.
TRIO Educational Talent Search
The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs.
View this presentation on TRIO to learn more about TRIO at JTHS. Many colleges also have TRIO services on college campuses.
If you are still a JTHS student join the JTHS College and Career Center Google Classroom HERE Central HERE West
Colleges are not required by law to provide accommodations from your IEP. However, most colleges and post-secondary institutions have a disability office to help you advocate for modifications and accommodations.
Download the POST-SECONDARY PLANNING GUIDE FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. HERE
Individuals with disabilities should be able to answer the following questions. *Hint if you do not know the answers look at your IEP.
1. What is my disability?
2. Do I know the accommodation(s) I’m receiving?
3. How does my disability impact me within the academic setting?
Once you know your disability you can search this DATABASE OF COLLEGES DISABILITY PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES to help identify college that would have the resources specific to your abilities.
View the presentation below that outlines how education rights and accommodations changes at the college level.
View the presentations below to learn about JJC’s “Connect To Your Future” program. Students with disabilities qualify to receive support and possible funding through this program.
View this presentation to learn about Disability Services at JJC.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESENTATION
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDES
View the presentation from the Disability and Accommodation of Illinois State University.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESENTATION
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDES
View the presentations form the Disability and Accommodation Offices from Bradley University, University of Cincinnati and Southern Illinois University
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESENTATION
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDES
View the presentation below on programs for NUERODIVERSE LEARNERS at Aurora University and Marquette University.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PRESENTATION
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SLIDES
Need more support?
Additional community Non-profits and Supports to help with Federal and State disability programs.
• DRS
• JJC (Disability Services) 815-280-2613 https://jjc.edu/disability-services
• JJC (Testing Services) 815-280-2261 https://jjc.edu/student-resources/testing-services
• JJC (Financial Aid)
• DRC (Disability Resource Center) 77 N. 129th Infantry Drive (815)729-0162
If you have further questions or need additional assistance reach out to your JTHS Counselors HERE (West) HERE (Central) or JTHS District Coordinator.
EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Review Illinois Department of Human Services-Department of Human Services (DRS)
• In high school many students sign up for DRS. This is called the STEP program.
For more information on DRS (a part of IDHS) view the presentation below
A few links on vocation terms and websites
In addition to DRS there are several other community resources to help adults with disabilities with employment. Please review the list below.
Housing and living support for individuals with disabilities.
Some individuals with disabilities need additional support to live independently and lead productive lives. There are some services available to help.
Here is an overview of how many individuals with disabilities receive support.
View this video on different types of housing options available for individuals with disabilities.
Review these fact sheets provided by the Arc of Illinois
• Comparison of Adult Home and Community Based Services (Medicaid Waivers) HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
• Adults with disabilities living options HERE (English) HERE (Spanish)
• PUNS/DD
View this video to learn more about eligibility and the process of PUNS.
How to apply
Need more support?
Additional community Non-profits and Supports to help with Federal and State disability programs.
State ID and Driver License for those with disabilities
Having official identification is an important part of adulthood. As adults we are often asked to show ID. This will be important when you apply for a job and/or any state or federal disability support programs.
What is an Illinois Disabled Person’s Identification Card and where do I get one?
The Illinois Disabled Person’s Identification Card is issued by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. The card is simply a driver’s license or identification card that substantiates that a person meets certain disability criteria under state law. It does not specifically name your disability but rather a classification. There is no fee for the card!
Ready to get your State ID?
1. Print a copy of the Disability Identification Application HERE
2. Get the Application signed by your doctor.
3. Review the list of documents you need to bring with you on the form HERE
4. Schedule a DMV appointment online at the link HERE
5. Take your application signed by your doctor; your documents from the list in step 3 to the Joliet Illinois Secretary of State and DMV Facility at 210 Joyce Rd. Joliet, IL at your scheduled appointment time.
Community resources for drivers’ education for Individuals with Disabilities
Some individuals take drivers’ education in high school. Others wait until adulthood. Sometimes individuals with disabilities need additional support or adaptations to drive. Below are some community driver programs to review.
Marianjoy Rehabilitation Driver Program
https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/rehabilitation-services/rehabilitation-specialty-programs/driver-rehabilitation-program
Strive for Independence Driver Evaluations and Trainings for All Abilities
https://www.striveforindependence.org/
Need more support?
Additional community Non-profits and Supports to help with Federal and State disability programs.
Social Connections
After high school it’s important to continue to be socially engaged and active in the community. Below are a few community programs for individuals with disabilities.
Special Recreation of Joliet and Channahon
Special Recreation of Joliet & Channahon (SRJC) is a cooperative extension of the Joliet and Channahon Park Districts, and provides year-round recreation activities for individuals who wish to participate in alternative Park District programs. These programs are designed to help participants who have physical or mental disabilities, sensory impairments, or any other type of disability, to develop leisure skills, independent living skills, and motor skills. In addition to all of these benefits, perhaps the most important aspect of SRJC's programs is fun! Transportation is available for some SRJC programs to residents of Joliet and Channahon, for an additional fee.
For more information about SRJC or to request a registration form, call the Kathy Green Multi Purpose Center at (815) 741-7275 ext. 160. WEBSITE https://jolietpark.org/special-recreation-of-joliet-channahon
Kiwanis Club-Aktion Angles
Aktion Club is the only service club for adults with disabilities, with more than 10,000 members worldwide. Club members become competent, capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service.
https://www.aktionclub.org/
https://www.facebook.com/AktionAngels/
Disability Resource Center
The foundation service of Disability Resource Center, and any true CIL, is the peer relationship. Staff who have experience living with a disability and achieving their personal goals assist others who have similar disabilities, serving as role models, mentors, and advocates.
Some activities include: Support groups for different abilities, DeafHOH Social Group, and Game Nights.
https://www.drcjoliet.org/peer-counseling
High School Transition Road Map
As you begin your journey through high school use this roadmap to help guide
you. Now that you are in high school you will be an active participate in your IEPs,
use the left side of the map as a checklist for each year. On the right side of your
map is an independence checklist to build the community connections and
resources you may need as you transition to adulthood.
Freshman Year IEP
Freshman Year Transition Planning
Sophomore Year Transition Planning
Sophomore Year IEP
Junior Year Transition Planning
Junior Year IEP
Senior Year Transition Planning
Senior Year/Year 5+/Exit IEP
Post Secondary Transition Planning
Advocacy
Assistive technology
Employment support
Community living supports
Paratransit & PACE
Disability State IDs
Social Connections
Guardianship
Able Accounts
Education/College Supports
This is an update regarding the secure and hold protocol at Joliet West High School. Administration in conjunction with law enforcement continue to search the campus. As we near dismissal, we ask that parents do not come to the school until we receive the all-clear from law enforcement. We will provide more information when it is available.
