September 2018

The topic of laws and rights is presented in this month’s unit titled, “Understanding Laws and Rights.” The unit provides lessons and activities about individual rights to encourage and foster as much independence as possible. This unit also includes activities in the Transition Passport: Daily Living/ At Home/Evaluation Tools. As we assist our young adults in the transition from school to work, it is necessary that they receive training in self-advocacy skills and problem-solving skills. Self-advocacy skills begin with knowing your rights, knowing the laws and knowing your responsibilities. This unit will provide our young adults with the tools needed to learn how to stand up for their rights.

The unit stories help young adults learn the importance of understanding their personal rights. In the first story, Jasmine has a job that she likes and does well at. When a new co-worker begins harassing her at work, Jasmine struggles to decide what to do. The story follows Jasmine as she finally shares her concerns and gets the help she needs. In the second story, peer pressure is at play as a young man, Juan, is asked by a friend to steal. Juan finds the strength to say no to someone he thought was his friend. Three articles offer more information and activities that give our young adults the opportunity to learn about personal rights, rights in the community and rights at work.

Regular monthly lessons are provided which offer the opportunity to practice self-advocacy and problem-solving skills. The right to spend their own money is addressed in banking and budgeting where the importance of budgeting for needs before spending money on wants is stressed. Daily living skills are revisited in a regular monthly lesson, offering five recipes where our young adults can learn independence in the kitchen.Social and communication skills are the focus of lessons presenting daily social trivia scenarios offering more opportunity for our young adults to practice skills needed to problem-solve.

Employment continues to be a regular focus for several lessons each month. Lessons include exploring different jobs, reading job ads, completing job applications and practicing interview skills. Simple, realistic scenarios address job skills and interactions at work. The final lesson highlights volunteering as a way to practice job skills and gain practical work experience. This month's volunteer activity is helping at a Parent Open House Reception. The activity can be role-played if it is not practical to participate in a real-life situation. Job skills are emphasized as team members take on various tasks.