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Connecticut · Growing into adulthood
More possibilities for the years ahead.
Teen and adulthood vocational resources, college access, independent-living support, transportation and recreation in Connecticut. Start with one goal and build a pathway around the young person’s choices.
Start where you are.
Explore during the teen years
Notice interests and strengths. Practice asking for support, try community activities, and ask the school team about transition planning and the state’s timing requirements.
Prepare before leaving school
Bring education and employment goals to planning meetings. Contact VR and adult-service agencies, compare training options, and plan daily support and transportation before school services end.
Keep building as a young adult
Review what is working. Adjust job, study and living supports as goals change, and stay connected to friends and community activities.
These are planning stages, not legal age cutoffs. Eligibility, school-exit rules, funding and waiting lists vary. Ask the responsible Connecticut agency about the young person’s situation. Federal transition planning guidance ↗
01 · Your next step
Prepare for work and job training
Start with the young person’s interests, strengths and access needs. A vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor can explain the application process and available employment services.
Connecticut vocational rehabilitation entry point
Connecticut vocational rehabilitation
Ask about career exploration, job training, work experiences, job coaching, assistive technology and supported employment. The agency determines eligibility and which services can be included in a plan.
Compare community colleges, certificate programs, apprenticeships and four-year options. Contact each campus’s accessibility office early; a high-school IEP does not automatically become a college accommodation plan.
One institution example in Connecticut · confirm the campus served
University of Connecticut Center for Students with Disabilities
This office is a starting point for learning how accommodation requests work at this institution. Ask about documentation, accessible course materials, testing, housing and the supports the student will need to arrange separately.
Find more colleges in this state and contact each school’s own disability or accessibility office. A directory listing is not a finding that a program meets an individual student’s needs.
National directory · choose Connecticut in the state filter
Think College program search
Explore postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Check whether a program awards a degree or certificate, offers inclusive classes, and is eligible for financial aid.
Independence can include support. Choose goals that matter to the young person: communication, meals, budgeting, personal care, housing or making decisions.
Directory filtered to Connecticut
Connecticut centers for independent living
Find a center for independent living serving your community and ask about skills training, peer support, advocacy and youth transition help. These centers are community support organizations, not residential care facilities.
Plan the actual trip to work, classes and activities, including the return journey. Ask the local operator about accessible fixed-route service, travel training and paratransit.
Connecticut transport information / agency contacts
Connecticut mobility management contacts
Use this transportation information or provider contact to find the office responsible for your trip. State transportation departments often coordinate or fund services; they may not book rides themselves.
Connecticut local mobility referral starting point
Connecticut centers for independent living
If a route is unavailable or difficult to use, ask a center serving your area about travel training, accessible transportation referrals and local alternatives.
Make room for enjoyment as well as school and work. Explore sports, arts, libraries, parks, community classes and volunteering that match the young person’s interests.
Connecticut program · local opportunities vary
Special Olympics Connecticut
Contact the program about local sports and Unified opportunities for teens and adults. Special Olympics focuses on people with intellectual disabilities; ask about the participant’s eligibility and available activities.
