A toolkit to give a broad overview of the different aspects young adults need to consider when transitioning to adulthood.
Funding & Supports
- Financial Assistance for People with Disabilities
- Information on (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) AISH, Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL), the Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP) and post-secondary grants.
- Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH)
- Financial and health benefits for those with a permanent (or likely to be permanent) health condition or disability
- Must be 18 years of age or older and not collecting Old Age Security (OAS)
- You must live in Alberta and be a permanent resident or Canadian citizen
- Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)
- a program to assist adults with disabilities to live as independently as possible
- must have an IQ of <70
- the developmental disability must have occurred before the individual turned 18
Guardianship & Trusteeship
After turning 18, an individual becomes their own guardian. These individuals may require varying degrees of support to make decisions. For some levels, a court order is required in order to appoint a guardian and or trustee (someone to oversee financial matters).
- Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT) – This is the agency to which you have to apply.
- Children’s Link can assist families and caregivers apply for guardianship and/or trusteeship.
- Autism Society Alberta has created information videos on this topic with some helpful worksheets to support families through this process.
Post-Secondary School
- ALIS – ALIS provides information on education supports, funding, career planning and opportunities.
- Post Secondary Education Funding – AIDE Canada created this toolkit that outlines educational funding for students with disabilities.
- Resources for Students with Disabilities – from the Government of Alberta
- Transition Planning Guide – A Career and Education Planning Guide for Students with Disabilities
Employment
There are employment programs across the province to support adults with disabilities. Each area has different programs. Your local Family Resource Centre should be able to provide more information for your specific situation.
- DRES – Alberta’s Disability Related Employment Supports
- Finding work when you have a disability from ALIS
Housing
- Autism Housing Network of Alberta – The Autism Housing Network of Alberta (AHNA) is focused on improving the access to and quality of housing opportunities for autistic individuals and their families. Our goal is to work together to better understand housing needs across the province, extend the reach of support to families, learn from each other to proactively facilitate new housing solutions, and establish a provincial approach to recruitment in order to capitalize on housing units as they become available.
- Housing Guide for Alberta – This housing guide, created by a self-advocate is a great document, taking a person through each step and consideration when making the decision on accommodation that will best fit your needs.
Supports, Information and Resources
- Advocate for Persons with Disabilities – The Advocate represents the rights, interests and viewpoints of persons with disabilities.
- Children’s Link – Children’s Link transition resources.
