Resources for Adults with Autism
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Workability/UCPSA
Workability/UCPSA provides a variety of employment supports for transition age youth and adults with disabilities with the goal of competitive and integrative employment. These services include but are not limited to: Work Readiness Skills; Work-Based Learning Experiences; Career Exploration; Post-Secondary Counseling; Job Coaching and Development; Self-Advocacy Training; Peer-to-Peer Mentoring; Disability Awareness Training for Employers; and Education and Outreach to the Community.
Phone: 520-344-8250
Website: http://www.workabilityucpsa.org
Email: workability@ucpsa.org -
DIRECT Center of Independence
The DIRECT Center of Independence advocates for disability rights and justice empowering individuals to achieve their self-identified independent living goals, promotes the independent living philosophy and principles of consumer control, informed choice, community integration, and dignity of risk.
Phone: 520-624-6452
Toll-Free: 1-800-342-1853
Website: http://directilc.org
Email: direct@directilc.org -
RSA – Rehabilitation Services Administration
RSA provides leadership and resources to assist state and other agencies in providing vocational rehabilitation (VR) and other services to individuals with disabilities to maximize their employment, independence and integration into the community and the competitive labor market.
Phone: 1-800-563-1221
Website: https://des.az.gov/services/employment/rehabilitation-services/vocational-rehabilitation-vr
To complete form via email: https://des.az.gov/services/employment/rehabilitation-services/vocational-rehabilitation-vr -
Beacon Group
Provides a variety of employment-related programs, as well as the education and socialization necessary for our clients to lead meaningful, productive lives. Beacon Group enterprises offer local businesses high-quality sub-contract services such as custodial and landscaping, contract manufacturing and packaging, cable assembly, fleet and facility services, paint recycling and confidential document shredding, among others.
Phone: (520) 235-1645
Website: https://www.careerlinksw.com/ -
Career Link Southwest
Career Link Southwest, LLC is a contractor to the State of Arizona Department of Economic Security Vocational Rehabilitation program. They partner with qualified Clients to link them to Prospective Employers, striving for long-term employment. They develop solid relationships with employers to enhance the local workforce with employees who deserve a chance as responsible, productive individuals.
Phone: (520) 235-1645
Website: https://www.careerlinksw.com/ -
Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
The DDD provides services for adults with developmental disabilities are delivered in the families or individual’s home as well as their community. Services are provided based on each person’s identified needs, state and/or federal guidelines and, when applicable, the availability of funds. Services are authorized and monitored by a support coordinator (case manager). The support coordinator promotes access to community resources and flexibility in meeting the person’s needs. While some services are delivered directly by the state, most services are delivered through a large network of individual and agency contracted providers.
To apply for services, you must complete this online application or call DDD.
Online Application: https://ddd.azdes.gov/dddeligibilityrequest/EligibilityRequirements.cshtml
Phone: 602-542-0419 // 844-770-9500
Check eligibility requirements to be accepted and make sure you have necessary/accurate documentation: https://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/10_DDD_Eligibility.pdf -
Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired (SAAVI)
SAAVI provides a comprehensive rehabilitation program for blind and visually impaired people throughout Arizona. These services include: counseling and support groups to help you with adjustment to your vision loss; home management training; access technology training; orientation and mobility training; career exploration; job readiness, placement and retention; health and wellness and adaptive sports; Diabetes management; college support; remedial education, and GED preparation and English as a Second Language.
Phone: 520-795-1331
Email: reception@saavi.us
Website: http://www.saavi.us/adult-services -
SALT Center
The SALT Center inspires students with learning and attention challenges to succeed in higher education. Through the provision of comprehensive academic support services, the SALT Center encourages student engagement, self-awareness, and growth. The SALT Center aspires to be the leading international model of success in higher education for students with learning and attention challenges.
Phone: 520–621-1242
Email: uasaltcenter@email.arizona.edu
Website: https://www.salt.arizona.edu -
UCEDD
The Sonoran UCEDD is based on the value of full participation by people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life, including the development of support services. Our programs are based on the principles of cultural respect, empowerment, and self-determination. These principles are operationalized by the inclusion of a diverse membership with regard to abilities, culture, age, geography, and experience in our programs and governance.
Phone: 520-626-0442
Email: ucedd@email.arizona.edu
Website: http://sonoranucedd.fcm.arizona.edu/ -
Project SEARCH
The Sonoran UCEDD is committed to ensuring that students and young adults with developmental disabilities have competitive employment opportunities. Working in partnership with southern Arizona employers, disability organizations, service providers, and government agencies has led to the development of an initiative to bring the model employment program Project SEARCH to Arizona. Project SEARCH involves a community business partnership to place students and young adults with disabilities in a business to learn both work place readiness and actual job skills leading to competitive employment. Nationally the program has achieved enormous success with over 70% of Project SEARCH graduates obtaining jobs in the host or similar businesses.
Phone: 520-626-0442
Email: ucedd@email.arizona.edu
Website: http://sonoranucedd.fcm.arizona.edu/project-search-arizona -
Arizona Center for Disability Law
ACDL is a non-profit law firm that assists Arizonans with disabilities to promote and protect their legal rights to independence, justice, and equality.
Phone: (520) 327-9547
Toll-Free: 1-800-922-1447
Email: center@azdisabilitylaw.org
Website: https://www.azdisabilitylaw.org/ -
Southern Arizona Family Services
Southern Arizona Family Services is a care-giving agency that provides both in-home and community-based services to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. In addition, we also provide in-home services to Tucson’s elderly population.
Phone: 520-512-0200
Website: http://southernarizonafamilyservices.com/
You can also contact via Facebook or Twitter -
Behavioral Health Services (must have AHCCCS to qualify)
Arizona Complete Health offers whole person health care, providing both medical and behavioral services to individuals with an autism diagnosis.
Phone: 866-495-6738
Website: https://www.azcompletehealth.com/members/medicaid.html -
Opportunity Tree
Opportunity Tree provides quality individualized services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Casa Grande who need dynamic and innovative environments.
Phone: 520-836-7666
Website: www.TheOpportunityTree.org -
City of Tucson Disability Resources
The City of Tucson Disability Resources is a central source of information about community resources, health and human services. Information Specialists help callers clarify their needs, provide referrals to the appropriate organizations and, if needed, will advocate on callers’ behalf. Many of the specialists are bi-lingual and all languages can be accommodated through interpretation. Help on Call is provided 24/7.
Information and Referral Line: 520-881-1794
Administrative Offices: 520-323-1303
Website: https://www.tucsonaz.gov/hcd/information-people-disabilities
Tips from Workability on how to support transition to youth:
- Help your child to improve self-confidence by encouraging them to be independent and participate in making choices for themselves
- Discuss interests and skills, as they relate to potential jobs with your child
- Practice professional skills (shaking hands, making eye contact, positive attitude, dressing nicely, etc)
- Share your personal work experiences (both positive and negative) with your child
- Encourage life skills that will be important to employers (timeliness, following directions, attendance, self-care, etc)
- Talk with your child about their employment goals and encourage them to research jobs they may be interested in doing
- Don’t wait until your child in 18yrs old to have a plan. Your child should be working on transition goals by 14yrs of age