Independent Futures That Work

06/03/2026

Explore this video overview of Career Clusters and learn more about the wide range of career pathways available to youth and young adults with disabilities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DisRY1JQ9CA&list=PLkQqdtUhR2TibYyqdizc-H02qNj1GfdbY -RAISE

This video is for kids, teens or young adults of any age or ability (including special education students, autism, neurodivergent folks, etc.) who are learni...

06/02/2026

New podcast episode from NTACT highlighting youth voice, transition supports, and pathways to adulthood for youth with disabilities — listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ZKbsiv1dCLm4E8gKLjbhi?si=kgjXuVJ6QIC13XLAAxTXVg
-RAISE

Beyond the Bell: From Research to Real Life · Episode

05/27/2026

Join Amanda and her parents as they discuss the importance of VR services and what they did to support her success. Hear how Amanda’s advocacy journey shaped her career path and highlights the impact of strong supports and self-advocacy in building meaningful employment outcomes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezDMiHBz-qU&t=2s Wednesday -RAISE

Episode 4: The Impact of VR Services: A Family Perspective

05/26/2026

RSA PTI Youth Leadership Opportunity
Join us June 8th at 6:00pm
Register now https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/593YXFB

For questions or more information contact Katrina Wellborn kwellborn@alabamaparentcenter.

05/26/2026

This highlights how employment can support mental health management. Discover how work provides structure and helps maintain wellness during the transition to adulthood. Read the post here: https://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsACR/youth-voice/ya-blog-corner2/ways-working-helps-me-manage-my-mh-conditions/

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. As someone with lived experience of a mental health condition and chronic illness, I can speak to the benefits of employment. Having a job is not only possible for those of us living with mental health conditions, it also can be a key compon...

05/20/2026

Listen to Noah and his mom Amanda share their journey from college to the video game design world. They highlight Noah’s experience in higher education, what they worked through together, and how persistence and never giving up helped him become a concept artist for video games. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M0RRHs1H70&t=3s Wednesday -RAISE

1 like. "Episode 5: Success through Partnership and Perseverance"

05/19/2026

This highlights the connection between mental health and physical well-being. Read a personal perspective on how managing mental health is key to staying healthy. Read the post here: https://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsACR/youth-voice/ya-blog-corner2/how-my-mh-impacted-my-health/

05/13/2026

This episode explores what it means to disclose a disability to coworkers and emphasizes that disclosure is always a young adult’s choice. It highlights how low expectations and misunderstandings about disability culture can shape those experiences and why creating workplaces grounded in respect and understanding matters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euQZykKKb3A -RAISE

05/12/2026

This explores the reality of burnout for young adults. Gain insights on recognizing signs and prioritizing mental health while navigating new responsibilities. Read the post here: https://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsACR/youth-voice/ya-blog-corner2/burnout/

05/06/2026

Low expectations and misunderstandings about disability culture continue to shape workplace experiences. This podcast highlights how coworkers and systems can unintentionally limit opportunity and why shifting expectations matters for building a more inclusive workforce. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSjQZ-VbkIQ -RAISE

1 like, 1 comment. "Episode 7: Co-Workers and Low Expectations"