The team at ADS offers a range of services for educators and parents, such as:
BRIDGE CT (Building Resilience Independence Dignity Growth and Empowerment)
a program run by Connecticut’s Department of Aging and Disability Services. It helps children and young people with disabilities become more independent, speak up for themselves, and find good jobs in Connecticut’s growing career opportunities.
Children's services policy manual
Read guiding policies for children who are blind or have a visual impairment from the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Children's services newsletters
Discover the BESB BUZZ, a newsletter for families of children who are blind or visually impaired.
Training opportunities for parents, professionals, and paraprofessionals
We provide regular training for parents, school staff, and community workers on how to best support children and students who are blind or have visual impairments. These trainings happen every fall and focus on different special topics each time. For details about upcoming sessions, please email Lori.Cornelius@ct.gov.
Level Up
Connecticut families use an important program called Level Up, offered by the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), under the Department of Aging and Disability Services. Level Up helps students 16-22 with disabilities prepare for competitive employment and create a path to independence in the future. Level Up helps students aged 16 to 22 with disabilities get ready for jobs and become more independent. Students with an IEP, 504 plan, or special education services usually qualify. For more information read the Level Up Blog on empowering students.