Children & Youth

Disability Options Network believes the youth is the future. Our goal is to educate youth with and without disabilities about the history of the disability rights movement and what independent living truly is. We want to help youth with disabilities succeed so they can keep fighting for equality.

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Knowing your history is crucial to moving forward. This is why DON is developing programs for schools to teach about the history of the disability rights movement and disability awareness. If we can build a younger generation that understands why all should have the right to live independently, we will be building a brighter future. DON has programs that can be modified to fit the curriculum of any class or subject. 

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At DON, we believe teachers and parents are the biggest part of any child or youth’s life. For children and youth with disabilities to succeed, the people working with them must understand their needs and challenges. Parents and teachers must not only give children and youth with disabilities help but also challenge them to be all they can be. 

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DON can provide training to parent groups, youth programs, and schools including:

• Self-Advocacy

• Disability Rights History

• Dyslexia for a Day to experience a learning disability

• Youth Leadership Programs using RAMP or Ignite Curriculum

• The Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) Basics

• Transition to Life Beyond High School

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Since the CIL is mostly staff by people with disabilities, we can design a variety of trainings to meet other needs. Please contact us to discuss other ideas.

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Disability Options Network also has trained staff that can offer support to parents as they work through their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). DON knows the IEP process can be daunting. We want to help parents and students learn to work with the IEP team to build strong skills for life beyond high school.