RESOURCES

Adult Sibling Toolkits

National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) publishes comprehensive toolkits for current and future adult sibling caregivers and guardians. Topics include considerations for health, finances, socialization, living arrangements, employment, and more.

post-secondary education Resources

THINKCOLLEGE.NET

Think College is a national organization dedicated to developing, expanding, and improving inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disability. With a commitment to equity and excellence, Think College supports evidence-based and student centered research and practice by generating and sharing knowledge, guiding institutional change, informing public policy, and engaging with students, professionals and families.

LIfelong Learning with friends (formerly UT Informal classes)

The mission of Lifelong Learning With Friends is to provide adult learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities access to stimulating, diverse, and fun post-secondary opportunities. Reverse inclusion is the program’s core, meaning that neurotypical college-age students will learn and have fun alongside neurodiverse peers. To protect the health and safety of students and staff, current classes are held entirely online.

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SPEECH AND HEARING CENTER

The University of Texas at Austin Speech and Hearing Center provides services to individuals with communication problems and serves as a training site for students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.  In addition, the Speech and Hearing Center hosts the UT Conversation Club.  To learn more information about the UT Conversation club, call 512-471-3841 or email the course director, Jessica Franco, MD at jfranco@austin.utexas.edu.

Ruby’s Rainbow

Ruby’s Rainbow offers scholarships for post-secondary educational opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.

Employment resources

DEPARTMENT OF Health and human services (HHS)

HHSC offers resources for employment and job coaching, as well as Medicaid waiver programs such as CLASS and HCS.

texas workforce commission

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) provides services for people with disabilities to obtain training and employment. For job seekers, TWC offers career development information, job-search resources, training programs and, as appropriate, unemployment benefits. Intensive assistance is available to overcome barriers to employment. Use the TWC site's Programs & Services menu to find more detailed information about the programs and services TWC provides.

disability chamber of commerce

This is the first Disability Chamber of Commerce in Texas. As the nonprofit arm of The United States Disability Chamber of Commerce, it focuses on projects to empower people with disabilities towards self sufficiency. Key issues and causes include employment, self employment, transportation, housing, travel, and health.

ARC of the capital area supported employment and Virtual Career Programs

The Supported Employment program provides individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities assistance finding and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. The goal of this program is to help individuals find employment that is aligned with their unique strengths, abilities, priorities, and interests.

The Virtual Career program provides adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities the skills and motivation to pursue integrated employment. Through this ongoing course, you will participate in online training covering planning for your career, developing your resume, and preparing for the job search. This course involves a 30 minute live group class, virtual office hours for individualized support, and independent study lessons weekly.

Disability Rights Texas

Disability Rights Texas offers a comprehensive list of resources (handouts and links) to people searching for information about employment rights as a person with a disability, working and Social Security benefits, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the US Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, and much more.

Recreational Options

The adventurers Academy of Lifelong Learning

The Adventurers Academy of Lifelong Learning helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities connect with the community; develop greater lifelong independence; and achieve their full potential through social, educational, recreational, and vocational experiences.

ARC of the Capital Area

ARC of the Capital Area offers day programs and employment readiness programs.

BIG - Brookwood

Brookwood in Georgetown (BIG) offers vocational opportunities as well as a community living environment.

CampCamp

CampCamp offers summer camp options for adults. CampCamp also offers respite weekend options during the year occasionally.

McBeth Center - Austin Parks and Recreation

McBeth Center, as part of Austin Parks/Recreation, runs Special Olympics teams open to adults with IDD. Initiatives include the Good Neighbor Adventure Club (GNAC), an adult day program operating in two locations - McBeth Recreation Center and Dottie Jordan Recreation Center. Participants do not need to be City of Austin residents. See this flyer for contact information.

UT Conversation Club

Conversation Club offers 10 weekly, theme-based project-oriented activities that focus on social and communication skills for individuals with developmental disabilities. Participants will have individualized goals in the areas of conversation, nonverbal communication, and social interaction.

RESIDENTIAL and other living OPTIONS

ADULTS INDEPENDENT AND MOTIVATED (AIM)

AIM is a small community of active adults with IDD who live independently, with appropriate supports, in a walkable, vibrant area of Central Texas. Inspired by the Mission Project in Kansas, AIM offers apartment living to adults who want to live independently with supports, while offering a close-knit community of peers. See this flyer for more information about AIM.

BIG - Brookwood

Brookwood in Georgetown (BIG) offers vocational opportunities as well as a community living environment.

DOWN HOME RANCH

Down Home Ranch offers a residential option for adults with special needs. The mission of Down Home Ranch is to build a rural, self-reliant community for adults with IDD, offering training, housing, recreation, and dignified employment, as well as opportunities for growth in mind, body, and spirit. Find out more about village life here.

MARBRIDGE

Marbridge provides a unique spectrum of residential care, education, and training for adults with various cognitive challenges. Our unique Abilities Centered Training program was designed and developed by Marbridge to serve our residents. The program helps residents set their own goals, make their own choices, and achieve their full potential.

social skills resources for adults

Adult Down Syndrome Center has a vast array of handouts and resources for both adults with Down syndrome and their family members about dating and romantic relationships, planning, communicating, employer-employee relationships, and many more social skills.