Preparing for Adulthood:�Resources for Students and How DRSC Can Help

TASC Annual Conference 2026

Mary Stevenson, Advocate Coordinator

PowerPoint

Our Mission

To protect the legal, civil, and human rights of people with disabilities in South Carolina.

• Enable individuals to advocate for themselves.
• Advocate on the individual’s behalf when they’ve been discriminated against or denied a service to which they are entitled.
• Educate the public, stakeholders, and policymakers about laws that protect individuals with disabilities.
• Promote policies and services that advance those rights and interests.

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About DRSC

• Non-profit providing services statewide.
• Independent of agencies that provide treatment or other services to people with disabilities.
• DRSC is the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agency for South Carolina.
• As the P&A for SC, DRSC is mandated by state and federal law to protect the rights of people with disabilities in SC.
• There are 57 P&As nationwide in all states, districts, and territories.

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What We Do

Misson:

We protect and advance the legal, civil, and human rights of people with disabilities in South Carolina.

Areas of Assistance

Education

Education

• DRSC has many education resources available
• We can assist in select matters regarding educational services in public schools

https://qrco.de/LifeAfterSchool

How DRSC Can Assist with Transition at School

• Providing information and suggestions
• Concerns with Transition Planning in School
• Receiving Transition Services

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Resources

• Education resource page: https://www.disabilityrightssc.org/resources/education/
• Pre-Employment and Transition Services: https://www.disabilityrightssc.org/resources/pre-employment/

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Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation

• SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department: https://www.scvrd.net/
• SC Commission for the Blind: https://www.sccb.sc.gov/

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Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

• Assist eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, find, advance in, and keep a job
• VR can help students in the transition process

VR and transition

• Pre-Employment Transition Services
• Transition Services
• If invited, can attend IEP meetings when transition will be discussed

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

• Available for all students with disabilities
• Students do not have to apply or be eligible for services from VR
• Ages 13-21
• Students must be enrolled in school, post secondary education, or recognized education program

Pre-ETS: The Services

• Job Exploration Counseling
• Workplace Readiness Training
• Work-based Learning Experiences
• Counseling on Post-Secondary Opportunities
• Self Advocacy Skills

VR Transition Services

• Transition services are available to students and youth with disabilities that have applied and are eligible for VR services
• VR can be involved in the transition planning process while student is still in school
• Based on student’s needs, preferences, and interests
• Facilitate transition from school to postsecondary employment goals
• Can include: instruction, community experiences, employment objectives, and other adult living goals after school

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VR: Transition and Post-Secondary Education

• VR can assist with post-secondary education in several different ways
• Can provide financial assistance for certification or degree programs (this includes advanced degrees)
• Can provide assistive technology to enable student to access the campus, curriculum, or other

VR and Employment

• VR can assist with employment in many ways.
• Help finding a job (includes vocational assessments)
• Help with assistive technology and requesting reasonable accommodations
• Help with initial purchase of work related uniform items

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How DRSC Can Assist

• Eligibility Concerns
• Delays in Services
• Disagreement about Needed Services
• Concerns related to Pre-ETS/transition services
• Client Assistance Program: https://www.disabilityrightssc.org/client-assistance-program-cap/

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Independent Living

Centers for Independent Living

• Able SC: https://www.able-sc.org/
• AccessAbility: https://www.abilitysc.org/
• Walton Options: https://waltonoptions.org/

Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

• Formerly known as Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN)
• For those who qualify, OIDD may provide services during youth and early adulthood.
• We recommend applying early.

OIDD and Medicaid Waivers

• There are different Medicaid waivers that can provide assistance to individuals with disabilities if they qualify.
• DRSC Guide to Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers: https://www.disabilityrightssc.org/resource/medicaid-guide/
• Keep in mind, some waivers often have very long wait lists

Post-Secondary Education

College is Different from High School

• Students who move on to college or technical school will not receive accommodations the way they were determined in public school.

Disability Support Services (may go by different names)

• Student has the burden to:
• Request accommodations and/or modifications;
• Provide reasonable documentation of disability if needed; and
• Provide documentation of the need for the accommodation/modification if needed

Keep in Mind

• Postsecondary schools are not required to:
• Fundamentally alter the nature of the program or
• Create an undue burden
• In these instances, the school must try to find an alternate accommodation

How DRSC Can Assist

• Fact Sheets are available for College Students
• Support and suggestions for issues involving accommodations

Employment

Resources for Employment

• Job Accommodation Network: https://askjan.org/
• DRSC Resources: https://www.disabilityrightssc.org/resources/employment/

How DRSC Can Assist

• Concerns with the reasonable accommodation process
• Disagreement on Needed Accommodations

Contacting DRSC

• DRSC has an intake process.
• In most matters information and referral will be provided. When appropriate the matter will be referred to an issue team for further review.
• Examples of types of DRSC assistance

Disability Rights South Carolina

Help Line: 1-866-275-7273

TTY: 1-866-232-4525

https://www.disabilityrightssc.org/request-help/

WWW.disabilityrightssc.org

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Connect With Us:

Get updates, alerts, and ways to take action.

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Give us your feedback

Thank you!

This presentation provides general information not intended to be legal advice. The information was based on law/guidance at the time it was written. As this may change, please contact DRSC for updates. The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of DRSC. This document is funded at taxpayer expense by the US Social Security Administration and other US government agencies. Although the Social Security Administration reviewed this document for accuracy, it does not constitute an official Social Security communication.

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