Life After High School: College, Careers, and Support

After high school, your child has many choices. They can go to college, learn a trade, get job training, or start working. Young adults who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) may want support for this next phase of their life journey. When planning for adulthood happens early, children tend to experience better outcomes.

This page will help you:

• Learn about different options for training, education and job supports for adults who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Understand legal protections for adults with disabilities.
• Find Ohio programs and deaf or hard of hearing specific resources.

What Are the Options?

College or University

• Students can earn a degree in many different subjects.
• Community colleges (2 years) often cost less than universities (4 years).
• Disability offices may help with things like interpreters, note-taking, or captions.
• Deaf or hard of hearing college bound students may want to tour campuses in advance and set up a meeting with the school’s Office of Disability Services.

Job Training or trade School

• Teaches hands-on skills like hair styling, welding, computers, or car repair.
• It can take a few months to 2 years.
• Often leads to a certificate or license.

Apprenticeships or On-the-Job Learning

• Your child learns a skill while working and getting paid.
• Good for students who like real-life learning.
• Common in construction, manufacturing, and other trades.

Ohio Programs That Can Help

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)

• OOD can support students while they are still in school and continue providing services after they leave K–12 education. As your child becomes a young adult, OOD can help with the next steps in their journey, whether that’s college, job training, or finding a job.
• Help finding a school or program that meets a student’s needs.
• Support job seekers in finding and keeping a job.
• Assist in paying for interpreters or assistive technology as needed for education, training, or employment.
• Teach job skills through training.
• Connect adults with additional resources and services to support their goals towards employment.

Ohio College2Careers (Ohio C2C)

A partnership between OOD and public colleges/universities in Ohio. C2C counselors are based right on campus to help students with disabilities succeed.

Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities

If your young adult qualifies for services through their County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CBDD), they may receive help with job training, finding a job, and keeping a job. Some Boards also help with life skills or connecting to adult education programs.

Supports may include:

• Career exploration and job readiness skills.
• Help applying for jobs and preparing for interviews.
• On-the-job coaching or support.
• Transportation assistance.
• Daily living skills to support independence.
• Coordination with other agencies, like OOD or local colleges.

County Boards often partner with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities to provide employment services. In some areas, they also work closely with Providers, who deliver direct support in job and community settings.

Ohio Technical Centers (OTCs)

Offers short, hands-on training for jobs that are in demand. Many are low-cost or free. Finding a program

Legal Rights for Adults with Disabilities in College, Job Training, and Work

As your child becomes an adult, it is important to know that their rights do not go away after high school. They are still protected by federal laws that support equal access and prevent discrimination based on disability. These laws apply to colleges, job training programs, and workplaces.

Key Laws That Protect Adults with Disabilities

1. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
   The ADA is a civil rights law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination in many areas of life, including college, job training, and employment. Under the ADA:
   1. Colleges and training programs must give equal access to students with disabilities, including those deaf/hard of hearing.
   2. Employers must not discriminate against hiring or promotion.
   3. Reasonable accommodations must be provided if needed to help someone do their job, apply for a job, or take part in a training program.
2. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
   Section 504 protects people with disabilities in programs or services that receive federal funding. That includes many colleges and job training programs. Like the ADA, it requires schools and programs to provide reasonable accommodation.
3. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
   IDEA ends at high school graduation or age 21, whichever comes first. But during the school years, the IEP team should help plan for what happens next—this is called transition planning. The goal is to prepare your child for adult life, including further education or employment.

This article provides an overview of legal protections for students with disabilities after high school.

What Are “Reasonable Accommodations”?

A reasonable accommodation is a change that helps a person with a disability access the same opportunities as others.
Examples include:

• Extra time on tests in college.
• Using assistive technology, such as amplification devices.
• A sign language interpreter or captioning services.
• A quiet space to work.
• A flexible schedule or modified job duties.

Adults must ask for accommodations themselves. This is different from high school, where the school made sure services were in place. Colleges and employers are not required to find or identify students or employees with disabilities.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Resources and Tools

Deafverse: A free, online, choose-your-own-adventure game specifically designed for deaf teenagers to help them develop self-advocacy and self-determination skills, which can support their success in high school and beyond.

The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP: offers thousands of sign language interpreted, closed captioned, and audio described videos for deaf/hard hearing students to learn college or job skills online.

Job Accommodation Network: JAN is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations. Need assistance exploring accommodation solutions?

Ask JAN!  We can help.

National Deaf Center on Post-Secondary Outcomes: Offers resources, tools, training, and online learning for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and the professionals serving them.