Exciting Opportunity: New Grants to Build Partnerships between Vocational Rehab, Education, and Centers for Independent Living

Many people with disabilities move through their entire educations without ever being taught self-advocacy skills, having conversations about possible careers, or getting information about independent living (IL) opportunities. Most are not exposed to the IL philosophy, which centers the right of people with disabilities to control their own lives, until they leave high school. As a result, many leave school unaware of the options available to them – and unprepared to take advantage of them. Intentional partnerships between CILs, state vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVRAs), and state and local education agencies (SEAs and LEAs) can bridge these (and other) gaps and improve independent living and employment outcomes for disabled youth.