Transition Resources
Think College provides resources, technical assistance and training related to college options for students with intellectual disabilities. It also manages a national listing of college programs for students with intellectual disabilities in the United States.
See the Think College fact sheet in English or Spanish for more details. Think College resources also include:
- Learning modules for families on exploring college options, how to pay for college and more
- The “Student Corner” and Emerging Advocates Student Group
- A searchable list of colleges nationwide and what they offer
- Recursos para Familias (Family resources in Spanish)
Thunder Adaptive Sports
Thunder Adaptive Sports is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization that offers adaptive sports for youth and adults with physical disabilities and/or medical diagnoses. The group strives to help everyone participate in sports, including sled hockey, cycling, and track and field. There is no cost to participate at the recreational level.
The Thunder Adaptive Sports “family” includes:
- The Central Illinois Sled Hockey Association (CISHA) – a volunteer, non-profit organization offering recreational and competitive sled hockey for youth and adult players with physical disabilities throughout the central Illinois region. Families do not pay to participate. CISHA provides sleds, hockey equipment, team jerseys and ice time.
For questions, updates and more information:
- Visit Thunder Adaptive Sports’ Contact Page for links to their Facebook and Instagram sites
- Call Tim Kirk at (309) 261-2250
- Email thunderadaptivesports@gmail.com
Tip Sheets for Self-Advocacy Groups
The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC) provides ten tip sheets written by self-advocates to help people understand self-advocacy and provide self-advocacy groups tips to keep things running smoothly.
The topics for the self-advocacy groups tip sheets include:
- What is self-advocacy?
- Ways of working on issues
- Good leaders and officers
- How do you find an advisor?
Each tip sheet is one-page. Each tip sheet is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
Tips for Being an Effective Teleworker
The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology provides these tips to provide teleworking strategies and best practices for employers and employees.
Though they were designed with people with disabilities in mind, they provide information that can be useful to anyone who is transitioning to remote work.
Tips When Considering Housing and Services
Pacer Center provides this handout of tips to help young adults with special healthcare needs plan for housing and independent living as they transition to adulthood.
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (IDHHC) provide a series of videos and preparedness messages in American Sign Language (ASL).
Topics include:
Toilet Training: Skills Tips
(English) (Spanish)
TotalLink2 Community provides individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities ages 18 years or older in the north suburbs of Chicago with a wide range of person-centered services to promote employment, independence and strong social connections in the community.
TotalLink provides career and vocational services including job development and placement using Customized Employment, a proven and innovative approach that utilizes skill-based coaching, family coaching, life planning, and educational and recreational opportunities designed to get young adults with disabilities involved in their community and deepen social connections.
Toy Safety: Skills Tips
(English) (Spanish)
Information, support and linkages for all people interested and involved in transition. Free publications available.

