Introduction
Learning and job opportunities for disabled young people and adults can include developing new skills, further education, training and work. There are also programmes which provide social activities, trips and the chance to develop friendships. These opportunities can support independent living and help young people manage their own lives more effectively.
Further study and training
Young people with disabilities have the same rights as anyone else to apply for a college or university course of their choice, close to home or further afield. Those who learn best by doing can apply for vocational training. Some options combine work and study to gain work experience and a qualification at the same time. Others build “employability”, i.e. skills that will appeal to employers, through community or home based learning. Many employability options can be useful in building skills and confidence even if the idea of work doesn’t seem realistic.
Jobs and work
Some people find it hard to imagine their young person finding or keeping a job. This can feel even harder if people around you assume that a young disabled adult won’t have many options, if there isn’t much support where you live, or if you don’t know any other disabled people who are working.
The good news is that there are lots of options and possibilties available. There are a range of services and schemes designed to support disabled young people into work, ensure they know their rights, and help them balance working and claiming benefits where needed.
Some parents think a job might be out of reach for their young person, but don’t reject the idea completely. A lot can change – what you see at age 16 may not be what someone will be capable of at 25. Finding activities that develop their skills, interests and abilities can be steps on a journey that could lead into work further down the line.
Unsure of what to do?
Try and resist pressure to make quick decisions. Doing things at the right pace for your young person is more important and will enable them to get the best from the experience. Taking time can also help line up the right support, which can be the difference between succeeding or being set up to fail.
There’s nothing that says your young person has to go to college, university or into work straight from school. For young people at school who aren’t going into learning, training or work immediately, you will still need a transition plan to make sure they don’t become isolated and keep developing important skills. Activities don’t have to be paid to be meaningful. Volunteering opportunities can start from as little as half an hour at a time and still give someone the chance to learn useful skills and meet a range of people.
The most important thing is that young people don’t become isolated, and have the chance to keep on growing and developing. Find out more about taking a DIY approach to planning on our Planning for Transition pages.
Browse learning opportunities
The following sections, along with other information about education and schooling, can be found on our Education in Scotland pages (all these links will open in a new tab so you don’t lose your place here):
Browse job opportunities
Equality legislation and rights
Money matters
Visit our Finance and Education page for more information on how to fund courses at all levels.
Students aged 16-19 who are staying on at school after school leaving age, or doing a non-advanced course at college or an education centre, can apply for Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). The student’s household income must be below a certain level for them to be eligible.
Useful links
Education and learning
- Your local council should have lists of their own services and other education and training programmes in their region. You don’t have to live in an area to request information. However available courses change quickly so keeping lists up to date can be a challenge.
- Lead Scotland offers information on the full range of post school education and training opportunities, along with one-to-one support and tailored advice. They have coordinators throughout Scotland and you can download guides on post school learning from their website, including support and funding possibilities. You can call their helpline on 0800 999 2568.
- Skills Development Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and provides careers advice through local centres across the country. Many centres have staff responsible for people with additional support needs. Their website My World of Work has information about preparing for and finding a job, and tools to help with career planning and finding learning opportunities.
- Enquire have a factsheet called Education and Additional Support after 16, with information about rights and opportunities.
- The Young Person’s Guarantee brings together employers, partners and young people. It aims to connect every 16 to 24 year old in Scotland to an opportunity. This could be a job, apprenticeship, further or higher education, training or volunteering. It could also be an enterprise opportunity.
Jobs and support
- Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE)
- Skills Development Scotland
- My World of Work
- Social Enterprise Scotland
- iwork4me
- Volunteer Scotland
- Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Inclusion Scotland
Case studies
- Starting university – a student’s view
- Starting university – a parent’s view
- Home education – a parent’s view
Talking about Tomorrow
The key topics to think about as your child moves into adulthood.
