Children & Youth

Disability Options Network believes that the youth are the future.  Our goal is to educate youth with and without disabilities about the history of the disability rights movement, and what independent living truly is. We want to help youth with disabilities to succeed so that they can keep up the fight for equality.

Knowing your history is crucial to moving forward.  This is why DON is developing programs to take into the schools to teach about the history of the disability rights movement and about disability awareness.  If we can build a younger generation that understands why all should have the right to live independently, we will be building a brighter future.  DON has programs that can be modified to fit any class or specific area that the class is studying in order to fit within the curriculum.

At DON, we believe that teachers and parents are the biggest part of any child’s or youth’s life. It is important for the success of our children and youth with disabilities that the people working with them understand their needs and challenges not just to give them the help they need, but also to challenge them to be all they can be.

DON can provide trainings to parent groups, youth programs, and school on:

  • Self-Advocacy
  • Disability Rights History
  • Dyslexia for a Day to experience a learning disability
  • Youth leadership program using RAMP or Ignite curriculum
  • IEP Basics
  • Transition to Life Beyond High School

Because the Center for Independent Living is mostly staff by people with disabilities, we can design a variety of trainings to meet other needs. Just contact us to discuss other ideas.

Disability Options Network also has trained staff that can offer support to parents as they work through their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).  The IEP process can be daunting, and we want to help parents and students learn to work with the IEP team to build strong skills for life beyond high school.