March 29, 2016 | By: Uniting Parents/Coalition of Health Services, Inc.
Categories: Transition to Adulthood
Navigate Life Texas works to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the content on this site. This blog has been updated since its first publication to reflect changes with other organizations, links to other sites and other information. The substance of the article and the writer’s story have not been altered.
The Panhandle Independent Living Center (PILC) provides education, information and a positive place for young people with disabilities to learn to make good life choices on their own.
PILC’s Youth Encountering Success (YES) program was created to help middle and high-school youth with disabilities make good decisions as they move toward adulthood. The focus is on creating a place to give youth a positive setting, a place to have fun with their peers after school and during summer break, while learning what they will face in daily life.
PILC offers this program to adolescents and young adults, ages 12 to 21, who have any type of disability. There are volunteers there as well, ages 16 to 21, who do not have a disability.
The program offers help with life skills. It is free and has a small staff-to-student ratio. Space is limited. This is not a daycare, day camp, or full-time program. It is an after-school program and a 10-week day camp in the summer. Transportation to PILC is not offered.
YES also provides educational field trips, guest speakers, hands-on activities, role-playing and lessons on building communication skills. The youth learn to create goals for themselves at work, school and home.
The transition to adulthood is an important phase in children’s lives. This program can help them gain the life skills they need to grow and care for themselves. YES can be a key step to get them involved in learning social skills.
PILC is located at 417 SW 10th Avenue, Amarillo, TX 79101. For questions, visit the PILC website or call at (806) 374-1400.
For more information on transition, visit the Transition to Adulthood page.
As a parent of an older son with disabilities, I have struggled with his education in math and reading for most of his school career. As parents, we sometimes have unrealistic goals for our children. However, at some point, we must pause and think about the future.
Categories: Transition to Adulthood
Today, people with disabilities have more options than ever before. They can attend college, go to work and live independently. But they need a good start through school and community experiences. As a hands-on and informed parent, you can help your child gain the skills they need for self-determination.
Categories: Transition to Adulthood
In Texas, when a child with a disability turns 14, they should begin attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings with their parents. It’s the time to create a Transition Plan for life after high school.
Categories: Transition to Adulthood