Transition program: Post-Secondary & Independent Living

The transition from childhood and youth to adult living and career can be difficult. Students are more successful if they learn the skills and strategies needed to overcome challenges. Students are matched with a Coach who will guide and empower them to build resilience, critical thinking skills, and learn how they learn best so that the student can reach their goals. Our students pursue a range of post-secondary education and training towards their career and independent living goals. Our Transition Program is a package of services available to students who want the full support system that Accessible Academics offers. Students can customize the amount of each service to meet their needs, based on their goals.  The key to the Transition Program is that students receive coordinated services, with the Accessible Academics team working from the same Support Plan and the Life Plan team.  Our Transition Program is an eligible program through OPWDD Self-Direction. The cost of the program is $9600 annually.

Our Transition Program includes the following services:

Coaching – Available Remote & In Person

One on one coaching specific to supporting success in school, career, and independent living. It includes academic coaching and advocacy, life skills coaching, career skills coaching, time management and organization support, and brainstorming solutions to problems. Students receive up to 3 hours per week of coaching depending on their needs.

Case Management – Available Remote & In Person

Accessible Academics team members will attend Life Plan meetings and assist in planning, developing, and implementing services not related to one to one coaching. This also includes Life Plan team service coordination.  Case management services is also connecting students to community resources and employment opportunities aligned with the student’s goals.

Community Workshops – Remote or Hybrid

Students have access to the full offering of our community workshops. We hold workshops Monday-Thursday evenings and occasionally weekends, for up to 10 hours of workshop programming. Our scheduled workshops are available on our workshops page

Mentoring – Available Remote & In Person

All students who enroll in Accessible Academics’ Transition Program have the option to be matched to a peer or career mentor. This mentor is to support students in achieving life skills, education, and/or career goals.  Mentors are matched on a case by case basis (with student agreement) and are volunteers or interns.

GROW Buffalo Membership & Events

All of our Transition Program students are eligible for a free membership to GROW Buffalo through Accessible Academics. This is a business networking membership organization that connects Accessible Academics students to the local business community. Our students have access to all of their events for free, supported by Accessible Academics staff.

Transition Program Financial Assistance