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Youth Self-Advocacy and Empowerment

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Youth Self-Advocacy and Empowerment

This page is dedicated to empowering you to become your own best advocate including identifying and pursuing what is "Your Good Life".

The resources found here will help you learn how to: advocate for yourself during IEP meetings, prepare for life after high school, look out for yourself, tell people what you need, and how to be responsible. Self-advocacy skills will help you in many areas of your life including school, work and community.

We hope you enjoy learning to advocate for yourself by watching videos, reading comic strips and checking out our additional resources.

IEP Information

Learn about your rights and your role in the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process. Find tools, guides, and tips to help you understand your IEP, speak up for what you need in school, and become more confident in planning your future.

Archived News
My IEP Agenda Graphic

My IEP Agenda Worksheet

My IEP Agenda is a simple, student-friendly planning tool designed to help youth actively participate in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
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Cover of IEP Checklist

A Guide for Transition Age Youth and Their Families

This OCECD resource explains transition—the process of moving from high school into the adult world. Beginning at age 14, students with IEPs are required to have transition goals developed and reviewed each year during their IEP meeting.
 More +
Post Secondary Transition Resources

Postsecondary Transition to Adulthood Resource Brochure

This brochure highlights transition/self-advocacy resources found on OCECD’s Youth page.
More +
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IEP Tips for Teens

This OCECD resource helps students understand how IEP meetings can be used to build self-advocacy skills. Self-advocacy means looking out for yourself, explaining what you need, and learning how to take responsibility. No one is born knowing these skills—everyone has to learn them. Are you ready to begin?
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College Resources

Planning for life after high school? Explore information on college options, disability services on campus, financial aid (including FAFSA), and how to get support as you move toward higher education and your career goals.

Archived News
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1 Quick Question: Is my child with a disability ready for college?

If you are planning graduation, you may be wondering If your child with disabilities is ready for college. This 2-minute video will point you and your student in the right direction.
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5 Tips for Preparing for College Success

5 Tips for Success in College

You’ve graduated from high school, been accepted into college, and are ready to begin this next chapter. This OCECD resource offers five tips for college success to help you access the supports and services you need.
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Think College Banner Image

College Search

The only directory of its kind, Think College Search features information on 360 postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities.
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Are You in High School?

Career Support for Students with Disabilities 14+

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) helps students with disabilities beginning at age 14 get ready for what comes after high school.
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5 Tips for Success in College

5 Tips for Preparing for College Success

This OCECD resource offers five tips for preparing for college success to help guide you as you begin planning for college.
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Project Search Logo

Project Search

Project SEARCH provides an opportunity and an atmosphere of high expectations.  People with disabilities have the right to choose a path toward education and employment. We strongly believe and expect that each intern can achieve the goal of competitive employment.
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Hey Students

Ohio College2Careers

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) offers Ohio College2Careers (Ohio C2C) at public colleges and universities throughout Ohio to ensure college students with disabilities.
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How to think College

How To Think College

Scholarships are one resource that can help students pay for college. Students with intellectual disability (ID) can access a range of scholarships.
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Girl in Classroom banner

7 things to know about college disability services

If your child has had an IEP or a 504 Plan in high school, you’ve been able to play a role in the process. You’ve had access to the people who are providing supports and services. And you’ve been able to monitor how well those supports are being implemented. More +
Think College Logo

Big News from the "Think Higher. Think College." campaign!

Big news from the "Think Higher. Think College." campaign! They have released a brand-new video created for K–12 educators who are helping shape the future for students with intellectual disability.
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Prepare for Life after graduation

Prepare for life after graduation!

OCECD offers the interactive "It's My Turn" (IMT) and the "Goals Planning Success" (GPS) self-determination trainings available for students age 14 to graduation to help guide students in fulfilling their hopes and dreams after high school.
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Disability Resources

Disability Resources: A Student Perspective

Matt, Hilary, Roberto, Amanda, Patrick, Luke, and Santana are all college students with different disabilities.
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411 Disability

411 Disability Disclosure

Disclosing your disability is a very personal decision. It means making an informed decision when or if to tell someone about your disability.
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Youth Empowerment

This section is all about using your voice and making your own choices. Discover activities, videos, leadership opportunities, and real stories from other youth learning to advocate for themselves in school, work, and life.

Archived News
Understood org

Pros and cons of disclosing a disability to employers

Starting a new job can make teens and young adults feel excited, independent, and maybe a little nervous. They’re expected to learn new skills and routines, interact with new people, and make decisions. One of the biggest decisions is whether to tell their employer about any learning and thinking differences.
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How Student-Led IEP Meetings Promote Self-Advocacy

When students lead their IEP meetings, they can speak up for their needs—and take an important step toward forging their own path, in school and in life.
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Turning 18: What Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Should Know

In these videos, self-advocates Lisa, Sam, Kamisha, Wayne and Shameka talk about research findings from the Guardianship Alternatives and Transfer-of-Rights project. 
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Clip from Video

Supported Decision Making Video

Living full and vibrant lives. Making mistakes and growing as humans. This is called Supported Decision Making.
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planning for your future banner

Turning 18 Planning for YOUR Future

Turning 18 is a big deal! When you turn 18, you are an adult in most states. This means you can make choices in your life about your education, where you live, what doctor you see, what to do with your money, and many other things. 
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We Want To Be Heard Logo

We Want To Be Heard! Video Series

This video series was created through the Ohio Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in partnership with the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities and RAISE Center.
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What is Charting the LifeCourse

What is Charting the LifeCourse

The Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) framework was created to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live.
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cover image from comic series

My Adventures in Youth Empowerment

The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities has an exciting new resource to share for transition age youth! 
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YEP! Youth Empowerment Project

This OCECD video series provides valuable resources to support young people as they navigate their own journeys toward self-advocacy and empowerment.
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Youth Event Banner

Ohio Youth Advisory Council Self-Advocacy Event

Our first statewide cross-agency in-person event brought together youth and young adults with disabilities from across Ohio to learn, connect, and speak up for themselves—and it was a huge success!
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Rise Up

Rise Up

This guide was developed by Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) for transition-aged youth from 14 to 21.
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Self-Advocacy

Find the Captain in You

High school students Nathan and Justin host a morning talk show with special guest, Captain Self-Advocacy.
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Limitless League

Limitless League

The Limitless Movie Demonstrates the power of working together for good! This movie is the product of PC Workshop’s summer program.  One of their amazing people, Tyler Ruiz, designed comic books based off the character he created, “Static Boy”.
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Ohio Family Engagement

Summit 2023 - Session 7: Finding Your Voice: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Michael is attending his first year of college at Bowling Green State University/Firelands Campus in Ohio after being engaged in several alternative learning environments since the 4th grade.
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Family Resources

This section helps families empower their children to use their voices and make their own choices. Explore activities, videos, leadership opportunities, and real stories from youth who are learning to advocate for themselves at school, at work, and in everyday life.

Archived News
Banner image of speaker

Turning 18: What Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Should Know

In these videos, self-advocates Lisa, Sam, Kamisha, Wayne and Shameka talk about research findings from the Guardianship Alternatives and Transfer-of-Rights project. 
 More +
Clip from Video

Supported Decision Making Video

Living full and vibrant lives. Making mistakes and growing as humans. This is called Supported Decision Making.
 More +
My IEP Agenda Graphic

My IEP Agenda Worksheet

My IEP Agenda is a simple, student-friendly planning tool designed to help youth actively participate in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
 More +
Image of Video Icon

Transition Tips for Employment

Videos that guide families as their transition-age youth explore employment. It is important for families and professionals to have high expectations that youth with disabilities can be employed. More +
Employment First

Employment First

Overview of Supports and Partnerships for Transition Age Youth and Adults with Disabilities in Ohio.
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Exceptional Lives Resource

Prepare your child for the workforce with job skills training for young adults with disabilities

What job skills do employers look for? Prepare your child for the workforce with job skills training for young adults with disabilities.
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STABLE Account Logo

STABLE Fact Sheet

A STABLE Account is an investment account that allows qualified individuals with disabilities to save and invest money without losing eligibility for certain public benefit programs, like Medicaid or SSI.
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Banner Image Charting The Life Course resources

Your Child: Living a Good Life

Help your child discover their hopes and dreams and what a good life means to them.
 More +
Cover of IEP Checklist

A Guide for Transition Age Youth and Their Families

This OCECD resource explains transition—the process of moving from high school into the adult world. Beginning at age 14, students with IEPs are required to have transition goals developed and reviewed each year during their IEP meeting.
 More +
Post Secondary Transition Resources

Postsecondary Transition to Adulthood Resource Brochure

This brochure highlights transition/self-advocacy resources found on OCECD’s Youth page.
More +
Banner Image for Document

Focus On Transition to Adulthood

CtLC Transition to Adulthood Quick Guide Focus on Transition to Adulthood Quick Guide. Transition means that you are moving from childhood to young adulthood and from school to adult life. More +
Transition Roadmap Resources

Secondary Transition Roadmap

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's (ODEW) Secondary Transition Roadmap for Families with children with disabilities ages 3-21
 More +
Supported Decision-Making Network Document Banner

What is Supported Decision-Making?

Sometimes people need help making decisions. We all have the right to make choices to the best of our abilities .
 More +
Ohio org logo banner

A Family's Transition Experience in Ohio

This video was produced to enhance the Establishing Families as Partners in the Secondary Transition Planning Process learning series.
 More +
Do you want to learn about transitioning to adult health care?

Do you want to learn about transitioning to adult health care?

Youth, young adults, and families: Do you want to learn about transitioning to adult health care? These tools can help you learn about moving from pediatric to adult health care. 
 More +
Life After High School

Who should read this transition guide?

A Guide for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse families of Youth with Disabilities. If you are a youth between the ages of 16 and 21 with a disability, we wrote this guidebook for you and your family.
More +
Stable Account

Take control of your financial future with a STABLE account

STABLE Account empowers individuals and families. Accountholders can save and invest without losing benefits such as Medicaid or SSI.
 More +
Are You in High School?

Career Support for Students with Disabilities 14+

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) helps students with disabilities beginning at age 14 get ready for what comes after high school.
 More +
Hey Students

Ohio College2Careers

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) offers Ohio College2Careers (Ohio C2C) at public colleges and universities throughout Ohio to ensure college students with disabilities.
 More +
How to think College

How To Think College

Scholarships are one resource that can help students pay for college. Students with intellectual disability (ID) can access a range of scholarships.
 More +


Additional Resources

Find information and support on topics that matter to you — from mental health and employment to managing daily life skills.
This section also includes Disability-Specific Resources where you can learn more about your disability, available supports, linguistic resources and organizations designed to help you succeed. 

Archived News
Youth Voice

Supported Decision Making Video

Dashiell discussed what Supported Decision Making means to him. Learn about Supported Decision-Making and how it empowers individuals with disabilities to make their own choices with support from trusted people. 
 More +
Banner image of speaker

Turning 18: What Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Should Know

In these videos, self-advocates Lisa, Sam, Kamisha, Wayne and Shameka talk about research findings from the Guardianship Alternatives and Transfer-of-Rights project. 
 More +
NCDB Logo

Transition and Adult Life Success Stories from the National Center on Deafblindness

The stories on this website highlight best practices related to self-determination, access, and family engagement for transition-age students and adults who are deafblind. Each story provides a glimpse into the possibilities for these individuals. 
 More +
Banner Image Charting The Life Course resources

Your Child: Living a Good Life

Help your child discover their hopes and dreams and what a good life means to them.
 More +
Banner Image for Document

Focus On Transition to Adulthood

CtLC Transition to Adulthood Quick Guide Focus on Transition to Adulthood Quick Guide. Transition means that you are moving from childhood to young adulthood and from school to adult life. More +
Transition Roadmap Resources

Secondary Transition Roadmap

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce's (ODEW) Secondary Transition Roadmap for Families with children with disabilities ages 3-21
 More +
Supported Decision-Making Network Document Banner

What is Supported Decision-Making?

Sometimes people need help making decisions. We all have the right to make choices to the best of our abilities .
 More +
Ohio org logo banner

A Family's Transition Experience in Ohio

This video was produced to enhance the Establishing Families as Partners in the Secondary Transition Planning Process learning series.
 More +
Do you want to learn about transitioning to adult health care?

Do you want to learn about transitioning to adult health care?

Youth, young adults, and families: Do you want to learn about transitioning to adult health care? These tools can help you learn about moving from pediatric to adult health care. 
 More +
Life After High School

Who should read this transition guide?

A Guide for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse families of Youth with Disabilities. If you are a youth between the ages of 16 and 21 with a disability, we wrote this guidebook for you and your family.
More +
Stable Account

Take control of your financial future with a STABLE account

STABLE Account empowers individuals and families. Accountholders can save and invest without losing benefits such as Medicaid or SSI.
 More +
Video Banner for Content

Supported Decision Making Guardianship with Trey

Meet Trey! He’s 17 years old and has a disability. Trey is working on an Action Plan to help him make his own decisions as an adult. Follow along to see the steps he is taking to prepare! Resources:
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Deaf

Deafverse

Online educational games are popular resources for many parents and teachers. For deaf middle and high school students, there are very few accessible online games and resources.
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Do you have a communication disability

Do you have a Communication Disability?

If you have a diagnosed communication disability, you can voluntarily enroll in a database that connects to the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). 
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I am deaf

Communication cards

for individuals who are Deaf or HOH. Disclaimer: This visor card does not waive the user’s right to effective communication under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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Map it What Comes Next

Map It: What Comes Next?

This is a free, online, interactive training designed for transition-aged students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The training utilizes three questions: 1. Who Am I?, 2. What Do I Want?, 3. How Do I Get There? 
 More +


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Additional Resources

Communication Challenges

Ideas that work, Office of special education programs, U.S. department of education.
The contents of this website were developed in part under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H328M150052. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government or Project Officer, David Emenheiser.