Transition

Postsecondary life for young adults with deaf-blindness includes education or employment, access to services and a meaningful life in their communities. Transition planning for young adults with deaf-blindness is an important part of setting and reaching individualized goals and should begin as early as 14 years of age and continues up until the individual graduates from school. Transition is most successful when there is a team approach that develops through home and school collaboration.

The Virginia Deaf-Blind Project can support the team through a range of technical assistance including:

Customized on-site and virtual coaching on deaf-blind specific strategies including transition planning using the Transition Timeline
Family support from the Project’s Family Engagement Specialist
South East Transition Institute: Regional program to connect young adults with Deaf-Blindness with peers and mentors, as well as provide structured support in developing a Transition Action Plan.

Resources and Tools

NCDB READY Tool: Readiness Evaluation of Transition to Adulthood for Deaf-Blind Youth

Website: https://www.nationaldb.org/products/ready-tool/

Open Hands Open Access (OHOA) Transition Module: Envision transition for deaf-blind youth as moving towards personally meaningful adult lives with multiple possibilities.

Website: https://www.nationaldb.org/products/modules/ohoa/transition/

Transition and Adult Life Success Stories: The stories highlight best practices related to self-determination, access, and family engagement for transition-age students and adults who are deaf-blind. Each story provides a glimpse into the possibilities for these individuals.

Website: https://www.nationaldb.org/national-initiatives/transition/transition-success-stories/

Regional and National Deaf-Blind Transition Agency Supports

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) Regional Representative: Connect to programs and services for youth and adults with Deaf-Blindness at the regional and national level.

Website: https://www.helenkeller.org/hknc

Cynthia Ingraham, East Central Representative

Email: cynthia.ingraham@hknc.org