A rectangular shape comprised of multicolored and repeated words: stereotypes, violence, ableism, discrimination, violence, isolation, suicide. Overlayed on the cloud of words is the bold white word "complicated."

It's Complicated

What challenges do you think transition-aged youth with disabilities experience? First, they are learning to understand and accept their disabilities in a world that does not yet fully understand or accept disability. Second, they are transitioning from dependent children to independent adults. Third, they are navigating the increasingly perilous pitfalls of a modern world.

Their journey is, in a word, complicated.

To serve them effectively, we need some insight into the internal and external pressures on them. In the following pages, we'll explore the characteristics of today's youth with disabilities.