Teen & Young Adult

Also see our Transition Resources  and College pages

Groups & Activities

• PathFinders Adult Program

  • The PathFinders Program is the division of the Dedham Parks & Recreation Department dedicated to providing recreational opportunities for the special needs citizens of Dedham and our surrounding communities

• Access to Theatre

  • Access to Theatre (ATT) is an award-winning inclusive theatre program for teens and young adults. Its purpose is to develop communication, artistic and leadership skills, and lasting professional and personal friendships. It is held on an ongoing basis throughout the year, as an after-school program and as a full-time Summer Institute.

Scholarships & Fellowships

• The Gopen Fellowship

  • The Gopen Fellowship is a one year, part-time work and learning opportunity for an individual with a developmental disability. Massachusetts residents with developmental disabilities who have finished school are eligible to apply. The program usually runs July through June of the following year, with applications due in May.

• ImprovBoston No Limits Media Disability Scholarship

  • No Limits Media and ImprovBoston partner to announce the first scholarship to help a person with disabilities learn the art of improvisational comedy. One of their primary philosophies for improvisation is, "everything you need, you already have in you." They believe disability can foster an engaging narrative and a uniquely empowering comic voice for the benefit of all audiences. Through humor and laughter, people with disability perform alongside improvisers of every stripe as we work towards full inclusion in our society.

• Microsoft disAbility Scholarship

  • This scholarship will be awarded to promising high school seniors who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and have a financial need. The amount of this renewable scholarship to be awarded is $5,000 per year, up to $20,000 total.

Employment

• Charles River Employment Services (CRES)

  • CRES, a division of The Charles River Center, provides vocational training and job placement services for individuals with mental retardation, autism, and other developmental disabilities.

• National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth)

  • NCWD/Youth is a source of information about employment and youth with disabilities.

  • Career Guide for Students with Disabilities 

  • Students with disabilities face additional challenges after college. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available that deal specifically with the college-to-career path for graduates with disabilities.

• Article: "Pre-Employment Transition Services - What Are They and Who Is Eligible?"

  • An overview of Pre-Employment Transition Services from Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) and links to resources.

Independent & Community Living

• Charles River Community Living Programs (CLP)

  • CLP helps create warm, loving and safe homes for the individuals they serve. They have many homes and programs designed to provide individualized supports, which range from residences with intensive staffing and clinical supports to intermittent assistance for individuals living in their own apartments.

• MetroWest Center for Independent Living Transition to Adulthood Program (TAP)

  • The TAP program works with young adults with disabilities who will be transitioning out of high school. Their mission is to work directly with young adults, help them determine their goals and find pathways to achieving these goals. Any high school student in Needham who is between ages 14-22, receives special education services and desires to learn independent living and self-advocacy skills is eligible for this FREE program.