ALLY Advocacy Center’s Roadmap to Life with Disability

At The Arc of Loudoun, we are dedicated to creating a just and equitable world for people with disabilities by connecting you to vital resources and support networks. Our Roadmap provides links to comprehensive information on making a plan, financial assistance, self-advocacy, education, and employment to help you or your loved ones navigate and access the services you need.

MAKING A PLAN

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

SELF ADVOCACY

EDUCATION

EMPLOYMENT

MAKING A PLAN

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- The Arc of the United States “Build Your Plan”
  The Arc of the United States’ “Build Your Plan” tool helps students and families get started making a plan.
  » futureplanning.thearc.org/landing
- PEATC’s Guide to Transition
  The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center’s Guide to Transition for Families of Youth with Disabilities in Virginia is a one-stop resource on transitioning from high school to adulthood in Virginia.
  » peatc.org/transition-guide
- VCU Center on Transition Innovations
  Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center on Transition Innovations provides resources and models to support students with disabilities in their transition to adulthood, and helps keep stakeholders updated on evidence-based practices to help those students reach their goals after high school.
  » centerontransition.org
- Wrightslaw and Transition Resources
  Wrightslaw specializes in special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities, and provides a list of articles, resources and free publications on transitioning to work, further education and/or independent living.
  » wrightslaw.com/info/trans.index.htm
- My Life, My Community
  My Life, My Community is an online tool to help people with developmental disabilities and their families find answers to basic questions about services and supports in their area.
  » mylifemycommunityvirginia.org
- Virginia Advance Directives
  Virginia Advance Directives, administered by Mental Health America of Virginia, offers information about Advance Directives, a legal tool for advance care planning. Advance Directives can help loved ones and healthcare providers by providing details about your wishes for your healthcare if you are injured or ill and cannot make those decisions.
  » virginiaadvancedirectives.org
- National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making
  The National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making provides information, resources, and stories about supported decision making, intended as a valid, less-restrictive alternative to guardianship.
  » supporteddecisionmaking.org
- Loudoun Developmental Services
  
  The Developmental Services division is part of the Loudoun County Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services, providing the single point of entry to public mental health, developmental services and substance abuse services to families and individuals in Loudoun County, including the Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver process.
  » loudoun.gov/1329/Developmental-Services

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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

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- Social Security Supplemental Security Income
  The U.S. Social Security Administration’s Supplemental Security Income provides monthly payments to people with disabilities and older adults who have little or no income or resources. The site also offers information on options like the Student Earned Income Exclusion and Plan to Achieve Self–Support, among others.
  » ssa.gov/ssi
- Social Security Representative Payment Program
  The U.S. Social Security Administration’s Representative Payment Program provides benefit payment management for beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income payments, by appointing a suitable representative payee who manages the payments on behalf of the beneficiaries.
  » ssa.gov/payee
- The Arc of the United States “Build Your Plan”
  The Arc of the United States’ “Build Your Plan” tool helps students and families get started making a plan.
  » futureplanning.thearc.org/landing

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SELF ADVOCACY

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- I’m Determined
  The I’m Determined project, a state-directed project funded by the Virginia Department of Education, provides tools to help young people—especially young people with disabilities—take a measure of control to set and steer the course of their lives.
  » imdetermined.org
- BeneCounsel, Inc.
  BeneCounsel, Inc. provides information and legal services throughout Virginia for people with individualized needs, such as those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
  » benecounsel.com/ssi-tips.html

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EDUCATION

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- VDOE Transition Services
  The Virginia Department of Education’s Transition Services website provides information and resources designed to improve outcomes from students with disabilities transitioning to postsecondary education and employment.
  » doe.virginia.gov/programs-services/special-education/secondary-transition-services-for-students-with-disabilities
- BeneCounsel, Inc.
  BeneCounsel, Inc. provides information and legal services throughout Virginia for people with individualized needs, such as those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
  » benecounsel.com/ssi-tips.html
- National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative
  The National Technical Assistance Center on Transition: The Collaborative, or NTACT:C, is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs and the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and provides information, tools and supports to help deliver effective services and instruction for secondary students and out of school youth with disabilities.
  » transitionta.org
- OCR’s Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators
  The U.S. Department of Education’s “Transition of Students with Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators” was developed by the Office for Civil Rights to provide educators with accurate information about civil rights for students with disabilities.
  » ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transitionguide.html
- Virginia Education Wizard
  The Virginia Education Wizard was created to help students understand more about themselves and find out how to achieve their goals, and includes career assessments, college and career advice, and tools to help plan each step along the way.
  » vawizard.org/wizard/home
- GMU’s Mason LIFE
  George Mason University’s Mason LIFE Program is a 4-year post-secondary comprehensive transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire a university experience in a supportive academic environment.
  » masonlife.gmu.edu
- GMU’s MASI
  George Mason University’s Mason Autism Support Initiative or MASI is a comprehensive, fee-based program that provides additional intensive support services to students on the Autism Spectrum beyond typical higher education accommodations.
  » ds.gmu.edu/masi
- VCU’s ACE-IT in College
  Virginia Commonwealth University’s ACE-IT in College is an inclusive learning and training program for transition-age adults with intellectual disabilities, with individualized support to participate in employment, college classes, and campus activities.
  » aceitincollege.org
- The College Internship Program
  The College Internship Program (CIP) is a private young adult transition program for individuals 18-26 with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences offering comprehensive and specialized services.
  » cipworldwide.org/about-cip/cip-at-a-glance/
- Ready. Set. Go! Summer College 101
  The Faison Center’s Ready. Set. Go! Summer College 101 Program is designed to provide high school students with autism an opportunity to experience college, through a two-week overnight college experience on the University of Richmond campus with the support of trained professionals from The Faison Center and University faculty.
  » faisoncenter.org/college-101-program
- STEMSkills
  STEMSkills offers Pre-Employment and Transition Services (Pre-ETS) through its curriculum of classroom and community-based instruction, college visits, job seeking skills, work-based learning experiences, job shadowing and worksite tours.
  » stemskills.org
- Think College
  Think College provides resources, technical assistance and training related to college options for students with intellectual disability, and manages the only national listing of college programs for students with intellectual disability in the United States.
  » thinkcollege.net
- Adaptive College Experience (ACE) Program
  NeuroScience Inc.’s Adaptive College Experience or ACE program focuses on adaptive skills for the college setting, including organization, self-regulation, and social skills, for students with symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including Asperger’s, and/or ADHD or anxiety.
  » neuroscience-inc.com/adaptive-college-experience/
- College Steps
  College Steps is a nonprofit that provides customized, college support for students with learning and social challenges such as learning disabilities, autism, and executive functioning deficits.
  » collegesteps.org
- College Living Experience
  College Living Experience provides post-secondary support, including coaching for academics, social skills, independent living, career development, and executive function for neurodivergent young adults on a college or career path.
  » experiencecle.com
- Bass Educational Services
  Bass Educational Services offers college and post-secondary planning, K-12 school placement services, academic coaching and tutoring, essay coaching and standardized test preparation for students with learning differences.
  » basseducationalservices.com
- NVCC Accommodations and AccessibilityNorthern Virginia Community College’s Accommodations and Accessibility Services supports students with disabilities on their college journey.
  » nvcc.edu/student-resources/accessibility/index.html

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EMPLOYMENT

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- DARS Pre-ETS & VR Transition Services
  The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services’ Division of Rehabilitative Services offers both pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) and vocational rehabilitation (VR) transition services.
  » dars.virginia.gov/drs/transitionservices.htm#gsc.tab=0
- Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center
  The Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center is a vocational-educational facility operated under the scope and mission of the Division of Rehabilitative Services, providing comprehensive vocational rehabilitation for Virginians with disabilities.
  » wwrc.virginia.gov
- Loudoun Workforce Resource Center
  The Loudoun Workforce Resource Center, a program of the Loudoun Department of Family Services, is a Virginia Career Works Affiliate providing no-cost resources and equipment to both job seekers and businesses.
  » loudoun.gov/1592/Workforce-Resource-Center
- Crossroads Jobs
  Crossroads Jobs is a nonprofit organization providing free, individualized job placement and career development services to Loudoun residents who are unemployed or underemployed and are experiencing barriers to employment.
  » crossroadsjobs.org
- Inclusively
  Created to focus on people with disabilities, Inclusively provides platforms for businesses to foster a diverse, inclusive workforce, improve productivity, and retain talent, and recommends job seekers to opportunities based on their experience, skills, and accommodations needed.
  » inclusively.com
- CRi
  CRi is a non-profit organization providing residential and community supports to people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and people experiencing homelessness, designed to provide opportunities to live as independently and with as high of a quality of life as possible.
  » mycri.org
- ECHO
  ECHO, formerly a committee of The Arc of Loudoun, is a nonprofit organization offering support for adults with disabilities including skill building, job placement, day support and transportation.
  » echoworks.org
- MVLE
  MVLE is a nonprofit organization offering support services and employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and partners with businesses to offer staffing and services including logistical, custodial, document conversion, mailing and fulfillment services.
  » mvle.org
- Hire Autism
  Hire Autism is a free program led and run by the nonprofit Organization for Autism Research with an active job board and resources for both employers and job seekers.
  » hireautism.org
- ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia
  The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia, or ECNV, is a non-residential community resource and advocacy center run by and for persons with disabilities.
  » ecnv.org

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The ALLY Advocacy Center’s Roadmap to Life with Disability is offered as a resource to help people with disabilities and those who care for them find supports, resources and information, but inclusion in this list does not necessarily imply an endorsement by The Arc of Loudoun. We strive to keep this list up-to-date—if you find a link here that is out of date, please help us out by letting us know at ally@thearcofloudoun.org.