As you get older, you have more and more choices about what you want to do with your life. At the same time, you have greater and greater responsibilities. This article is an introduction to some of the issues and opportunities that you will face as you become an adult. It can help you understand new responsibilities and also teach you about a major new concept: “independent living.”

After presenting many aspects of day-to-day life, this article also introduces higher education and employment as major options for you in the upcoming years. When appropriate, this article will direct you to the more detailed articles for young people on DB101 that discuss employment, education, and benefits options.

The Youth Transition Toolkit

The California Youth Transition Toolkit goes into more detail about a lot of the topics discussed here in DB101’s Young People and Benefits section. It is a guide for young people with disabilities who transition to adulthood. It includes valuable information discussing topics related to education, independent living, employment, finances, health care, recreational activities, and more. Click here to visit the Youth Transition Toolkit website.