Adulting means to “act like an adult” and to be part of decisions and activities that involve daily life. It is about planning for today and the future. Making decisions and talking about what is important to the individual with a disability is part of person-centered planning, community life and inclusion.
Every Saturday in August 2020 the University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities hosted 90-minute sessions focused on the transition to adulthood. The content of webinar series is intended for youth and young adults (ages 14 and above) with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Family members, professionals and other individuals who provide support for youth and young adults were welcome to attend but were highly encouraged to participate in a supporting role for a youth/young adult participant.
Presenters included the University of Arizona's Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities team and adults who are part of Diverse Ability Incorporated, Special Olympics Arizona, and Artworks.
Knowing Me: Discovering My Interests, Hopes and Dreams through Person-Centered Planning
Successful transitions to adulthood require a discovery process that gets to know the youth or young adult. Person-centered planning looks at the whole person and focuses on the person’s interests, strengths and capabilities. In this session, we will talk about how person-centered thinking and planning can be used to create a map of one’s future that includes strategies to help them achieve their goals. Participants will learn how to identify what is “Important To” them and “Important For” them as they create a personalized plan for adulthood. We will hear from a young adult who has used person-centered planning to guide self-discovery about her interests, contributions, and goals. We will discuss the importance of looking at future planning as a process that evolves and changes as individuals learn more about what they enjoy, their abilities, and the support they desire.
Health & Wellness
Health and wellness affect many different parts of our lives and impact our ability to participate in activities and new opportunities. In this session we will define wellness and identify “What is most important to me about my health?” Participants will develop a list of things they need to do to reach their health goals. They will then review this list and identify what they need to learn, or get help with, to meet their health and wellness goals. Participants will hear from an adult about decisions he made in order to be healthy. The group will also explore how they can communicate their goals with their health care teams.
Download Health & Wellness Session - Adulting Workshop PDF
Download Health Care Transition Planning Guide for Youth & Families (Ages 15-17)
Download Health Care Transition Planning Guide for Youth & Families (Ages 18 & Older)
Employment is Possible for All
Sometimes a real job in the community does not feel within reach for individuals with disabilities. This session is based on Employment First principles and practices that recognize that with the right support and services, employment is possible and can be a reality. In this session a panel of three adults will share the challenges they faced and how they successfully found jobs. The panel will share tips and considerations on their journey through getting and keeping a job. Participants will be informed of Employment First, what this means, and how through advocacy and obtaining the right support and services individuals have a place in employment. Interactive activities will help participants learn how to get started on building their own path to successful employment, and resources that can help them get there.
Community Living and Relationships
In adulthood we belong to different communities that connect us to each other and affect our well-being. Communities share common values, beliefs, or behaviors. Communities can be small or large and include our home, social clubs, organizations, and even our geography. In this session we will look at how our communities impact our sense of belonging and the different roles we play as we expand our relationships in adulthood. During the session, three adults will identify the communities they belong to and will talk about their different roles and relationships within their communities. They will share tips about how to develop and maintain positive relationships. Participants will look at their home as their community and personal space. Participants will explore what they need to create a comfortable living environment that they can share with others.
Download SLIDES Community Living & Relationships Session PDF
What Adulting Means to Me: A Wrap-Up Discussion
The Adulting workshop sessions addressed important topics and concerns that individuals face as they transition into adult roles and look toward their futures. In this final session, several youth and young adults in different phases of their lives will share their personal experiences about what adulting means to them. They will talk about the challenges they faced, lessons they learned, and what helped them to be successful. Participants will learn tips and strategies they can apply in their life. Participants will have time to ask questions and talk about the next steps as they transition to adulthood.