Challenges Associated with the Transition to Adulthood Among Young People with Disabilities
Populational surveys show that groups considered vulnerable—including young people with disabilities—face life circumstances that greatly complicate both the transition to adulthood and the development of autonomy. Based on a secondary analysis of 32 interviews conducted with such young people during or after their participation in a program designed to facilitate the transition from school to work, this article documents key aspects of the journey towards autonomy: continuing or completing studies and transitioning from school to work; leaving the parental home and achieving residential autonomy; overcoming mobility barriers and meeting transportation needs; pursuing a romantic relationship and planning a family. The analysis highlights the important role of social and family supports during this transition and beyond, as well as the way in which the social context shapes young people’s perceptions of what it means to become an adult.