Welcome to the 7th edition of Transition Touch Points! Transition Touch Points is a publication used to share information, community resources and to

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Welcome to the 7th edition of Transition Touch Points!

Transition Touch Points is a publication used to share information, community resources and topics that are important for the transition from school to life beyond.

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Self Determination for Students with Disabilities

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What is Self Determination?

Self determination is believing you can control your own destiny. Self-determination is a combination of attitudes and abilities that lead people to set goals for themselves, and to take the initiative to reach these goals. It is about being in charge, but is not necessarily the same thing as self-sufficiency or independence. It means making your own choices, learning to effectively solve problems, and taking control and responsibility for one's life.

Developing Self Determination Skills

The development of self-determination skills is a process that begins in childhood and continues throughout one's life. Self-determination is important for all people, but it is especially important, and often more difficult to learn, for young people with disabilities. Well-meaning individuals sometimes "protect" children with disabilities by making all their decisions for them. Also, sometimes people assume that people with disabilities can't think for themselves.

Since self-determination skills are most effectively learned and developed by practicing them, students with disabilities should be given ample opportunity to use their self-advocacy, decision-making and socialization skills well before they leave high school to prepare themselves for working and living in their community.

Family & School Support

Families and school staff can provide support for young adults with disabilities in the development of self-determination skills. Individuals can help prepare young adults with disabilities by giving them a growing number of opportunities to make their own decisions. One should also provide teenagers with opportunities to explore employment, housing options, and community recreation programs in their community by utilizing their own network of relatives and friends, as well as formal service systems. Most importantly, families should prepare themselves to accept their child in his or her new adult role and allow their adult children to take an active role in the decisions that will determine their future _ even if it means allowing them to make mistakes.

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This Time in the Resource Spotlight...

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Peer Mentoring through CMH

This program through Community Mental health provides a peer mentor that will assisting people in accessing resources in the community, sharing experiences of people with a disability and guide this peer towards self determination and empowerment. A peer mentor can help with:
* Benefits Planning
* Housing
* Public Transportation
* Post-Secondary Education
* Person Centered Planning
* Increasing Self-Advocacy

To learn more information about this program visit www.kazoocmh.org.

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Upcoming Events

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January 26 - Bumper Bowling and an hour of Arcade at Airway Lanes. The cost is $20 and the event is from 2:30 - 5:30. Please contact Jim Clark at 269-207-7250.

January 29 - The Paw Paw Lion's Club will partner with Senior Services of Van Buren County for a fun, interactive presentation about low cost/low tech tools and gadgets that can help you maintain your independence. Contact Joanne for more information at (269) 982-7761 or johnsonj@dnswm.org.

February 1 - 107.7 WRKR Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament benefitting Disability Network Southwest Michigan
Wayside West in Kalamazoo is the host for the 11th Annual Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament. For a $100 buy-in players have a chance to win big AND support our mission. For more information contact Kristen at (269) 345-1516 x119 or pottsk@dnswm.org.

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