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Education

1. I want to go back to school? Who can help me?

1.1. Accessible College-Personal Student Guidance

New Services to Better Support Students 

Accessible College serves the unique needs of students with physical disabilities and health conditions and their families. Students and families have many tasks ahead of them during the process or preparing for college, including identifying college accommodations (academic, residential, and programmatic) and preparing the student to be able to self-advocate. Families may also have to hire a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), and/or navigate different aspects of the students’ care. These processes take a lot of time in order to make sure we can get it right!

We work with students across the country via Zoom starting in the 9th grade through graduate school to provide customized support in the following areas:

We know that consistency is key when working on college transition. For families that are interested in Physical Disability College Planning and Health Condition College Planning, we have created the College Access Pass! The College Access Pass is a monthly membership designed to support your student. We have found that meeting with students monthly allows us to create structure, comprehensively address needs, and measure success. 

We offer packages for Executive Function Coaching and Post Transition College Coaching, as well as hourly rates. We also offer consultation, training, public speaking for high school guidance counselors, IECs, schools, groups and healthcare providers.

Don't wait! Contact us for a FREE 30 minute consultation today

A limited number of free consultations have been made possible through a funding partnership with CDRF.




1.2. Education Department Eraseing Loans For Borrowers W/Disabilities

Education Department Will Erase $5.8 Billion In Loans For Borrowers With Disabilities


1.3. Vocational Rehabilitation Offices

By contacting your local vocational rehabilitation office, you will tap into a wealth of resources related to employment options for people with disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation (VR), a state-supported division of services, assists individuals with disabilities who are pursuing meaningful careers. VR assists those individuals to secure gainful employment commensurate with their abilities and capabilities through local job searches and awareness of self-employment and telecommuting opportunities. Policies for providing financial assistance to persons with disabilities who are attending postsecondary education vary among State VR agencies, depending in part on the resources available to the State VR agency. In many cases, even the most generous of financial assistance provided by VR agencies will not cover all of a student’s expected expenses, leaving a need for additional funding. In addition to VR, some states have separate agencies serving individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

2. Financial Aid

2.1. Federal Student Aid - An office of the U.S. Department of Education

Federal Student Aid

Many people are eligible for financial aid. Read about the types of financial aid available from the government and other sources: grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. You can also learn about who qualifies for aid, how to apply for aid, how to stay eligible, and how to get eligibility back if you’ve lost it.

 

2.2. DisABLED Person

disABLEDperson, Inc. National Scholarship  

disABLEDperson, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to reduce the high unemployment rate of individuals and veterans with disabilities. disABLEDperson, Inc. conducts ongoing scholarship competitions. Their competitions are for those who are enrolled in school, and who can provide proof of enrollment. Check their website periodically, as they update their information intermittently.


2.3. Free-4U.com

The National Database of Scholarships

2.4. Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to help pay for a college education. Please visit FastWeb to see what scholarships you may be eligible for. What are you waiting for? Get applying!

***Also visit the list of individual scholarships in the FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE knowledge book!

2.5. Disability and Student Debt Relief Program

Students with Disabilities debt-relief Program
If you’re totally and permanently disabled, you may qualify for a discharge of your federal student
loans and/or Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant service obligation.

Bureaucracy Jams Up Student Debt Relief for Disabled Borrowers

Recently announced student debt forgiveness for ‘totally and permanently disabled’ people leaves many at the mercy of a bureaucratic and somewhat random process.

On August 19, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it will automatically wipe out $5.8 billion in student debt for some borrowers with disabilities, removing a hurdle in the bureaucratic obstacle course that keeps Americans from accessing resources they’re owed. People who are “totally and permanently disabled” have been able to apply for loan discharge for decades. But the program is underused, since current rules make people undergo a three-year monitoring period to prove that they are poor. Approved beneficiaries have been bounced for failing to supply regular proof of low earnings. Others are deterred from applying altogether by the complicated rules.

The idea behind the new relief is simple: If you develop a work-limiting disability after taking on student loans, that debt should be automatically canceled. “This is going to be a smooth process for our borrowers,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a press call on the changes. “They’re not going to have to be applying for it or getting bogged down by paperwork.” But the automatic relief was confined to a small subgroup, leaving most disabled Americans still stuck in the bureaucratic morass. And even within the qualifying group, the long-delayed benefit may not reach all members.



3. Preparing for College

3.1. Wheels on Campus A Guide to Wheelchair-Friendly Higher Education

Wheels on Campus: A Guide to Wheelchair-Friendly Higher Education (2020)

New Mobility has released the most comprehensive college guide for wheelchair users ever created. Wheels on Campus identifies 20 schools that go beyond the letter of the law to create wheelchair-friendly campuses and cultures for a truly inclusive college experience. “We wanted to find those gems, those schools that really go above and beyond to say, ‘Your wheelchair is welcome here, your service dog is welcome here, you are welcome here,’” says project director Jean Dobbs.

3.2. Frugal Dad

FrugalDad.com debuted on the Web in 2007 at a time when frugality was less than popular. As the economy began its slow, Titanic-like upending, readers like you and national media began to take notice of FrugalDad.com and embraced what the site was all about.

What we at FrugalDad.com have noticed is that our readers were largely worried about two things in the aftermath of the financial meltdown: their retirements and their kids' educations. A lot of very smart people are out there offering retirement, investment and personal financial advice. We didn't want to become just another voice in the crowd, so FrugalDad.com has decided to focus its subject matter more narrowly on issues of higher education and how to pay for it. Although there are other sites that offer advice on the same types of topics, FrugalDad.com brings its own unique voice to the conversation – a voice that has been featured and profiled in the national media ever since it appeared on the scene.

Loyal readers like you have helped us make the decision to be more targeted in our content. We hope you'll let us know what you think and that you'll continue to find FrugalDad.com as helpful as it's always been.

3.3. Resources to help you prepare for college

Disability.Gov has several resources for those who want more information about preparing for college, understanding college and disability friendly colleges.

3.4. Accredited Online Colleges

Accredited Online Colleges will help you find an accredited program should you choose to enroll in an online program.  Accredited Online Colleges lets you search through countless accredited schools, based on a variety of criteria, to find the accredited college that best meets your needs.

3.5. Online Colleges and Disability Education

Online colleges and disability education is an article that discusses the advantages of online education for someone living with a disability.  It provides helpful links as you choose the best direction for your higher education.

4. Internship Opportunities

4.1. Internships with the White House

White House Summer Internship
What: The President, First Lady, and staff are committed to providing young leaders from all across the nation an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and gain exposure to the public service sector through the White House Internship Program. This program was developed to provide hands-on experience and cultivate such skills. It also features a weekly speaker series with senior staff, and interns participate in service projects throughout their time at the White House.

Website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/internships
Deadline: January 22, 2012

Who can apply: US Citizens, over 18 years old, college undergraduate/graduate students or those who have graduated within two years, or veterans who have served on active duty within the past two years.


Presidential Appointments Process

What: President Obama has challenged Presidential Personnel to build an administration that reflects America. We work with all cabinet agencies to find qualified candidates for political appointments that can drive the kind of creativity, innovation and change that President Obama has brought to Washington. The President sees the disability community as part of our talent pool and we hope to give interested candidates a sense of what we do in PPO and offer tangible tips of how you can put your best foot forward in pursuit of a potential appointment.

Who can apply: Anyone

Website: https://app2.whitehouse.gov/ppo/

Email: presidentialpersonneloffice@who.eop.gov subject line: Public Engagement Call

 

Summer Jobs +

What: On January 5th, the White House announced Summer Jobs+, an initiative to add 180,000 summer jobs, internships, and fellowships for young Americans. In the coming months, young Americans will be able to search these openings through the Summer Jobs+ Bank and apply online.

Web: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/05/we-cant-wait-white-house-announces-federal-and-private-sector-commitment

 

2012 Student Summer Programs at DOL

What:  The Department of Labor's Student Summer Programs provide current students with experiential work experience as an integral part of the student's course of study.  To ensure a productive experience for both the student intern or volunteer and the sponsoring agency, the Agency promotes an educational environment for the benefit of the student by offering substantive and developmental work, close and constant supervision and feedback, and sets clear expectations regarding the desired outcomes of the student's internship or volunteer service.  The goal is to have at least 100 student summer interns and volunteers housed in the National Office and at least 80 student interns and volunteers in the regions during the 6-10 week summer program.
Website: www.dol.gov

Deadline: Students must submit all application materials (resume, cover letter, and short writing sample) to students@dol.gov by COB on April 6, 2012.
Who can apply:  Candidates must be U.S. citizens currently enrolled in an accredited educational institution.    

 

Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP)
What: The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.
Website: https://wrp.gov
Deadline: Interviews are conducted in the fall semester at participating campuses and the database is published each December. For the 2013 WRP release, interviews will be held in the fall of 2012.

Who can apply: Candidates must be U.S. citizens. In addition, candidates must be current, full-time undergraduate or graduate students with a disability, or have graduated within one year of the release of the database.

Pathways Programs for Students and Recent Graduates
What: The Pathways Programs are three clear program paths tailored to recruit, hire, develop, and retain students and recent graduates. It lays the groundwork to improve recruiting efforts; offers clear paths to Federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates; and provides meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their Federal careers. The three program paths included in its framework are: an Internship Program, a Recent Graduates Program, and a reinvigorated Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program.  
Website: http://www.opm.gov/HiringReform/pathways/ and http://www.usajobs.gov/studentjobs
Deadline: Varies by Federal agency
Who can apply: Programs will be launched in the spring of 2012. All the eligibility requirements will be provided on the websites above once the program regulations are implemented.

Presidential Management Fellows Program

What: The Presidential Management Fellows Program is the flagship leadership program for advanced degree candidates and is designed to develop potential government leaders. It also seeks to encourage lasting careers and dedication to public service and government.

Website: http://www.pmf.gov/

Deadline: Applications for the 2012 cycle were completed in September 2011 through usajobs.gov website. For the 2013 program, applications will be accepted in September 2012.

Who can apply: US citizens or in rare cases, non-US citizens appointed by Federal agencies or who will earn citizenship by fellowship completion. Applicant must be enrolled in a graduate degree program within one year of applying and complete their degree by August 31st in the year their fellowship begins.

United States Department of Agriculture Summer Internship Program
What:
Student employees gain valuable professional experience as an assistant in scientific, professional, technical, and/or administrative areas. The "Student Internship Program" could be a paid or unpaid internship. The internship opportunity gives students insight into considering a future career with USDA. Annually USDA employs thousands of students nationwide throughout our 7 Mission Areas, 17 agencies and 14 offices.
Website:
http://www.dm.usda.gov/employ/SIPIntro.htm
Who can apply:
Students aged 16 or older in high schools, community colleges, 4 year colleges/universities, trade schools, career/ technical education programs, graduate programs and other qualifying educational institutions and programs, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) are all qualified to apply.

 

More Great Links

  1. 1.     Federal Internship Directory

This directory lists internship opportunities in many federal agencies

http://www.osec.doc.gov/ocr/2011/InternshipDirectory/Internship%20Directory%202011.pdf

  1. 2.     USAJobs
    Most federal vacancies are advertised on the USAJOBS Web site found at www.usajobs.gov.This is the Federal government's official site for job information and includes over 16,000 job postings. Through this site, you can search for openings in a particular field, city, or agency, or all three
  2. Disability.gov
    This website, managed by the Department of Labor, lists many employment resources. https://www.disability.gov/employment/finding_a_job/places_to_search_for_a_job
  3. Learn about Schedule A
    Schedule A is an excepted service hiring authority available to federal agencies to hire and/or to promote individuals with disabilities by avoiding the traditional, and sometimes lengthy, competitive hiring process. You are eligible for a Schedule A appointment if you are a person with a severe physical or mental disability, and meet the qualifications of the job in question. http://golearn.gov/HiringReform/applicant/hpd.htm

5. Assistive and Adaptive Technology

5.1. Assistive and Adaptive Technology Resources for Students

Disability.Gov has several resources for students needing assistive and adaptive technology for school.

6. Parent Resources for Children in School

6.1. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHY)

NICHY provides you a wealth of information on disabilities!  It is a central source of information on disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth.  The site offers easy-to-read information on IDEA, the law authorizing early intervention services and special education.  The State Resource Sheets will help you connect with the disability agencies and organizations in your state.

6.2. individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Department of Education’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) website, brings together IDEA information and resources from the Department and their grantees. Parents, students, educators, service providers, can find resources related to the education of children with disabilities. 


6.3. Yellow Pages for Kids

Yellow Pages for Kids

This site will help you find educational consultants, psychologists, diagnosticians, health care specialists, academic tutors, speech language therapists, advocates and attorneys.  It will also direct you to governmental programs, grassroots organizations and parent support groups by state.

7. Veteran and Military Education Resources

7.1. Resources for Veterans and Military

Disability.Gov has several resources available for Veterans and Military who want to go back to school.

8. Other Education Resources

8.1. AHEAD

AHEAD - The Association for Higher Education and Disability provides helpful information for parents and their children, living with a disability, who are ready to transition from high school to higher education.

8.2. Very Special Arts

VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, was founded more than 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to provide arts and education opportunities for people with disabilities and increase access to the arts for all.

8.3. The road back to school after spinal cord injury

The author, who has C-5 quadriplegia, writes about his journey from hospital bed back to college after his injury at age 19. Read the article

8.4. Internet Education (New Mobility article)

An article from New Mobility magazine that discusses the pros and cons of working, learning and playing online from home on one's computer. Could it lead to isolation?

8.5. Class Action

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973's Section 504 and the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) require that no qualified person with a disability be excluded from postsecondary educational programs. A "qualified individual" meets the academic and technical standards required for admission to the school or program. After admission, accommodation must be made in a timely and effective manner to allow the qualified students to participate in the program. However, such accommodations can be made only if the student reports the disability to the institution's designated person or office, provides documentation of the disability to be kept confidentially on file with that person or office, and requests disability-related accommodations. Read the full article now!

8.6. We Connect Now

We Connect is dedicated to uniting college students with disabilities in access to higher education and employment issues.

8.7. Barrier Free Education

While the goal of any educator is to teach to all, students with disabilities often face many significant barriers to proper Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Teachers can help by understanding and implementing appropriate accommodations for curricula and for classroom and laboratory environments. As is often the case, however, educators may not understand the need for accommodations in STEM for students or how to make the proper accommodations to allow equal access to education. This problem is particularly evident in high schools, where STEM teachers may have insufficient knowledge about special education.

The goal of the Barrier-Free Education Project is to provide training and resources available to teachers anytime, anywhere. This website will be a home for problems and solutions, with links to accommodations and resources aimed at helping teachers provide an improved educational experience for all of their students.

8.8. AMBUCS

National AMBUCS™, Inc. is a non-profit service organization consisting of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities.

8.9. Education and Traning Programs

This is a listing of education and training programs related to SCI for individuals with SCI, their families, and rehabilitation/health care providers.

8.10. HEATH Resource Center

What is HEATH?

The HEATH Resource Center is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities.  Since 2000, the HEATH Resource Center has served as a national clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities, managed by The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development.  Now, The HSC Foundation has partnered with The George Washington University to expand the content of this resource and to designate it as the official site of The HSC Foundation's National Youth Transitions Center.

8.11. Online courses-free

Online Courses is a free University and will be slowly expanding our collection of open online courses, classes, lectures, podcasts and more along with introducing our new application to help structure your learning.