The team at ADS offers a range of services for educators and parents, such as:
- BRIDGE CT (Building Resilience Independence Dignity Growth and Empowerment), an innovative initiative led by Connecticut’s Department of Aging and Disability Services, is aimed at supporting children and youth with disabilities in achieving independent living, self-advocacy, and competitive integrated employment within Connecticut’s growing career pathways.
- 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 offer ongoing educational opportunities for parents, school district staff, and community providers on best practices for working with children and students who are blind or have visual impairments. Training is offered during the fall each year, focusing on specific areas of specialization in each training program offering. For more information on upcoming training opportunities, email Lori.Cornelius@ct.gov.
- Connecticut families have access to a game-changing resource: the Level Up program offered by the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS), which is part of 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. Students with an IEP, 504 plan, or those who receive special education services likely qualify for this invaluable resource. For more information read the Level Up Blog on empowering students.