Resources
This section contains a variety of useful resources and other links.
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ACCES-VR
Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) offers access to a full range of services that may be needed by persons with disabilities through their lives.

Association for Persons in Supported Employment (APSE)
APSE: the Network on Employment is a rapidly growing organization now numbering over 5,000 members. It was formed to improve and expand integrated employment services and outcomes through supported employment (SE) for persons experiencing disabilities. Membership is open to anyone who wants to be a part of a grassroots network committed to ensuring that SE continues to grow and improve.
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Beach Center on Disability
The Beach Center on Disability offers many resources on self-determination: resources, education and training, resource library, curricula.
Click here for general tips on Self Determination
Click here for tips on finding and working with a support broker
Click here for real stories
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Center for Self-Determination
The Center for Self-Determination is an interactive working collaborative of individuals and organizations committed to the principles of self-determination. The purpose of the collaborative is to change the nature of the support and service system for individuals with disabilities, using the principles of self-determination to help people create the lives they want.
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Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC)
The New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) provides the capacity building by promoting policies, plans, and best practices that affirm dignity, value and respect, support full participation, up hold equality, promote access to research, and encourage individuals to learn from each other to promote promising system changes.

Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO)
The Developmental Disabilities Service Offices (DDSO) provide resources locally.

Disability.gov

Disability.gov provides easy access to comprehensive disability-related information and resources.

Down Syndrome

National Down Syndrome Society
The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

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Employment

Adult Autism & Employment
A guide for vocational rehabilitation professionals, including a synthesis of existing literature, promising practices, and previously unpublished insights and suggestions from a national expert on autism & employment.

Careerinfonet.org
(desc.)

DOLETA.gov/disability
Explains how to connect to disability and eployment resources and local DPN (Disability Program Navigators)

dpnavigator.net
Explains the Disability Program Navigator initiative and offers training assistance resources

New York State Employer Resource Guide
This guide was developed to provide both public and private employers, human resource personnel, hiring managers and supervisors with relevant federal, state and local level information around their legal obligations, along with resources that can assist in identifying, paying for, and implementing effective accommodation strategies, in hiring and/or retaining qualified employees who experience a disability.

Employment Network (EN)
An EN provides employment and other support services to Ticket to Work holders.

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GovBenefits.gov

GovBenefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government, with information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs.

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HealthyTransitionsNY.org

HealthyTransitionsNY.org teaches skills and provides tools for care coordination, keeping a health summary, and setting priorities during the transition process. It features video vignettes that demonstrate health transition skills and interactive tools that foster self determination and collaboration.

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learningcommunity.us
A website for person centered practices

Leadership Consortium
A Short-term intensive leadership development experiences at the University of Delaware

LINKS
A network of a variety of different developmental disability programs located at the WIHD.
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National Core Indicators
The National Core Indicators is a collaboration among participating National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disability Services (NASDDDS), member state agencies and the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), with the goal of developing a systematic approach to performance and outcome measurement.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)

We serve the nation as a central source of information on:

  • IDEA, which is the law authorizing special education,
  • No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities), and
  • research-based information on effective educational practices.

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)

The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.


New York State Association of Community and Residential Agencies (NYSACRA)
NYSACRA has been a leading advocate for public policies and practices that support and value the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Our mission is to raise the knowledge, skill, and opportunity of all the people in New York in programs from Pre-K to college and university, as well as vocational rehabilitation.
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Office of Mental Health (OMH)
New York State has a large, multi-faceted mental health system that serves more than 500,000 individuals each year. The Office of Mental Health (OMH) operates psychiatric centers across the State, and also regulates, certifies and oversees more than 2,500 programs, which are operated by local governments and nonprofit agencies.

Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
The OPWDD (NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) is an organization dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities live richer lives.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Also known as ACCES-VR in New York.

Offices of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is dedicated to improving results for youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts
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Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER)
The mission of PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) is to expand opportunities and enhance the quality of life of young adults with disabilities and their families, based on the concept of parents helping parents.

Person Centered Planning

Person Centred Planning (PCP) is a process designed to assist someone to make plans for their future. It is used most often as a life planning model to enable individuals with disabilities or otherwise requiring support to increase their personal self-determination and improve their own independence.

Download the "It's My Choice..." Planning Guide (PDF 2.69 MB)

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realworkstories.org/
This site highlights and celebrates the employment successes of people with Intellectual Disabilities/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) who are working in paid jobs in their communities. Through the use of innovative, front-line employment support practices, these individuals are earning money, forming networks, and contributing to their communities.
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Self-Advocacy Association of New York State (SANYS)
SANYS is an organization run by and for people with developmental disabilities. We help people with developmental disabilities speak-up for themselves and others.

Social Security Administration (SSA)
What you need to know about Social Security while you're still working, and what you need to know when it's your turn to collect benefits.

State Education Department (SED)
(See NYSED)
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Ticket to Work (1 | 2)
The Ticket to Work Program provides most people receiving Social Security benefits (beneficiaries) more choices for receiving employment services and collecting benefits while they work.

Transition

Family-Directed Transition Planning Guide

Download the publication by section (PDF format):

Section 1 (PDF, 96KB) - updated for 2008
Section 2 (PDF, 151KB) - updated for 2008
Section 3 (PDF, 223KB) - updated for 2008
Section 4 (PDF, 160KB) - updated for 2008
Section 5 (PDF, 262KB) - updated for 2008
Section 6
(PDF, 185KB) - updated for 2008
Section 7 (PDF, 184KB) - updated for 2008
Section 8 (PDF, 152KB) - updated for 2008
Contact Form (fillable form PDF, 107KB) - updated for 2008
Planning Worksheet (fillable form PDF, 92KB) - updated for 2008

en EspaƱol (Spanish version):

Carta A Las Familias (PDF, 387KB)
Asesores Potenciales Transición (PDF, 34KB)

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VESID
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, now called ACCES-VR, offers access to a full range of services that may be needed by persons with disabilities through their lives.
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We Have Choices
People with developmental disabilities speaking up for ourselves: a SANYS production. Video of individuals' stories and experiences about being Self Determined.

Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD)
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities - A fifty year partnership with individuals with disabilities, their families, and the community supporting health and wellness, independence, productivity, and inclusion through medical and clinical services, educational programs, and research. Services:

Special Education Services for students with disabilities ages 3-21.
Transition Services Services for students with disabilities from school to adult services.
Independent Living Services for people with disabilities of all ages.


Self Determination Project at Westchester Institute for Human Development, last updated 2010
nymyway@wihd.org | 1.877.810.2422
In partnership between the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, and WIHD