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Heath Resource Center is a clearinghouse on post-high school education for people with disabilities

The mission of the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) is to ensure that people with disabilities can participate fully and equally in higher education

Disability.gov connects the disability community to information and opportunities and has a page on its website that specifically focuses on preparing for postsecondary education

California Colleges has a list of colleges and universities in California. This website is an excellent place to learn about the universities and state colleges that serve Californians

The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office has a list of the community colleges in California

The California Department of Industrial Relations has plenty of information about available apprenticeships in California

OK-AHEAD, the Oklahoma branch of the Association on Higher Education and Disability, has a handbook that focuses on students with disabilities who transition from high school to college

AmeriCorps and Job Corps are federally funded programs that help people gain work experience and training

Going to College focuses on ways to think about what you want to do, what college life is like, and how you can plan for college

Think College has important information for students, families, and professionals about how people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can succeed in higher education

Community Based Organizations
Various community-based organizations provide staff to work with people concerning a range of options on state, federal, public, and private health and income programs. Counseling about benefits, as a community service, is an emerging field of expertise with different levels of services available. Some organizations may work with specific populations while others work with individuals with any type of disability.

Goodwill Industries services range from personal evaluation and office skills training to career counseling, childcare, and transportation. Some of these centers conduct Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach for Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries related to work activity.

Goodwill IndustriesFind locations at http://www.goodwill.org, or by calling (voice) 1-800-664-6577.

California Foundation for Independent Living Centers logoThe California Foundation for Independent Living Centers lists 29 centers serving individuals with all disabilities. Many of these centers conduct Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach for Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries related to work activity. Most independent living centers can refer callers to local benefit program information if they do not have these services.

Find the list of independent living centers at http://www.cfilc.org, or by calling (voice) 916-325-1690 or (TTY) 916-325-1695.

The AIDS Hotline database contains 1,300 organizations providing HIV/AIDS services throughout California. Some of these organizations offer case management, benefits planning, and benefits counseling services that can include assistance with public and private benefits programs.

Find the list of AIDS organizations at http://www.aidshotline.org, or by calling (voice) 1-800-367-AIDS (2437) or (TTY) 1-888-225-AIDS (2437).

Disability Rights California provides representation for consumers of public programs who are disabled. Website publications include topics on health care, benefit programs, and In Home Supportive Services.

Finding a Benefits Planner
The federal government pays benefits planners in communities around the country to help people think ahead about benefits issues. Social Security's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) Program provides counseling to people who are planning for work and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

To find a benefits planner near you, use DB101's Benefits Planners Directory.