This document outlines a program to support the transitional needs of youth with disabilities. The vision is to teach life skills for adulthood and the mission is to provide direct instruction in academic, daily living, personal/social, and occupational skills through hands-on lessons in school, the community, and with partner organizations. The program design focuses on person-centered planning, daily living skills like money management and hygiene, personal/social skills like communication, and occupational skills like appropriate work habits.

1. Vision: Supporting the transitional needs of youth with disabilities.
Mission:To teach youth with disabilities the life-skills necessary for their
transition to adulthood.
Approach:A person-centered,“hands-on”, direct-instruction, and outcome-based
life skills mastery program that will combine academic, daily living, personal/social, and
occupational skills into integrated lessons designed help students learn to function
independently in society.
Delivery:Direct instruction in school, community based instruction, field trips,
partnerships and visiting community agencies that service youth with disabilities.
PROGRAM DESIGN:
Person-Centered Planning:
It is important to set the self-advocacy stage by allowing students, paired with teacher
(facilitator), and parent/care-givers, to discuss talents, interests, goals, and supporting
students and families in meeting these goals.
Daily-Living:
Money/personal finances, home/household management, personal/hygiene needs,
safety awareness, food consuming/preparation, buying/caring for clothing, responsible
citizenship, recreation/leisure, transportation/getting around,
Personal/Social:
Intrapersonal skills, interpersonal skills, Independendent skills, coping skills, problem
solving, communication skills.
Occupational Skills:
Work options and choices, appropriate work habits and behavior, seeking and
maintaining employment, obtaining work/volunteer experience.