District of Columbia Roadmap

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STOP 1

At Age 16

Read our article on Transition [2].
Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
Visit District of Columbia’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education [5] and the Districtof Columbia Public Schools [6] websites. Find out what the requirements for graduation with a regular diploma [7] are.
Meet with your child’s IEP team to discuss the Transition Plan. Visit the Wrightslaw [8] website to get a better understanding of your child’s rights at Transition.
Contact the DC Department on Disability Services [9] to learn more about adult supports.
Ask the school’s Transition Services Coordinator or your child’s IEP team leader to contact the Rehabilitation Services Administration [10] and request that a representative attend the next IEP meeting. Alternatively, contact them yourself to make the request.
Visit the website of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates [11] (COPAA) if you wish to hire someone to help you advocate with your school system.

STOP 2

At Age 17

Read our article on Guardianship [12].
Read our articles on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
Apply for Supplemental Security Income [13] (SSI). Even if your child receives SSI now, he will have to re-apply at age 18.
Contact the DC Department of Human Services [14] to find out if your child will qualify for Medicaid upon turning 18 and if so, begin application process.

STOP 3

One Year Before High School Graduation

Read our article on Postsecondary [15] planning. Start considering and visiting programs.
Read our article on Employment [16].
Step up working with the Rehabilitation Services Administration [10].
Step up working with the DC Department on Disability Services [9]. [17]

STOP 4

At Age 21

Read our Housing [18] article.
Read our article on Finances, Public [3] and Private [4].
Read our article on Employment [16].
Refer to the Autism Speaks website for the Housing and Residential Supports Toolkit [19].

All Along the Way