In 2010, Jo Ann Simons, President and CEO of Northeast Arc, published The Down Syndrome Transition Handbook: Charting Your Child’s Course To Adulthood. Now, a second edition updated in partnership with Stephanie Meredith who has a doctorate in public health focusing on disability and health, is now available as a free downloadable book.
Simons published this landmark book about transition with Woodbine House to cover issues ranging from accessing education supports for transition goals to building communities to applying for adult services like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. She recently teamed up with Stephanie Meredith to update the book and add more stories and new information about federal policy changes, technology, supported decision making, and so much more!
“About 30% – 40% of the content in the book has changed or is new content, including huge changes in technologies and updates in the way guardianship and supported decision making is perceived,” said Jo Ann Simons.
“My son who has Down Syndrome is now 25 so it was interesting to go through the book with Jo Ann and see how much has changed in the last fifteen years, including new laws designed to support people with disabilities,” said Stephanie Meredith.
The book is available for free to anyone who might need it. The PDF is optimized for viewing on Kindle. To download the book, go to Down syndrome Transition. You will be asked to provide a few details so you can receive occasional updates and download numbers can be reported to funders as needed so that the authors can keep making this book available for free.
The Down Syndrome Transition Handbook was made possible in part through financial support from Marblehead philanthropist Steven P. Rosenthal.