MDA Transitions Center
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Transitions Center focuses on the needs of teens and young adults with neuromuscular disease. Launched in 2011, this site offers support, information, and resources targeting this group while also raising awareness of the challenges this group will experience.
The Resources tab lists resources on a variety of issues affecting teens and young adults with neuromuscular disease. These include resources regarding independence, education, career, mobile accessories and application, webinars, peer to peer tips, and the MDA Wiki project (a collaborative forum). Under each of these areas, a detailed listing of resources, both MDA resources, governmental resources, and organizations outside of the MDA, is given.
MDA Webinars of interest to teens and young adults with neuromuscular disease can be accessed through the Transition Center under the Resources tab. Webinars include topics such as career, education, living independently, genetic counseling, dating, and travel.
The Transition Center also has a Blogs tab, which highlights a featured blog each week. Visitors can read the blogs of a number of writers with neuromuscular disease. Those who are interested can also become a ‘guest blogger’ to make their voice heard.
Visitors can also view photos in Accessible Spaces Gallery. Under the Accessible Spaces tab, visitors can view accessible in spaces such as dorm rooms, a bathroom makeover, and a wheelchair ramp. Visitors can also download photos and stories about how their own spaces were made accessible.
Under the Get Involved tab, visitors are encouraged to “make an impact.” Information regarding ways to stay connected, be heard, and participate in MDA events and leadership, research, and advocacy are listed. Visitors can also be heard through taking the MDA Transitions Center survey, designed to assist MDA leadership in gaining a better understanding of the needs of young adults with neuromuscular disease. The Transitions Center also takes nominations for ‘Transitions Center Person’ of the week on the site.
The Transitions Center website is an extension of the MDA’s National Transitions Initiative. Started in September of 2008 as a task force, the National Transitions Initiative aims to assist teens and young adults with neuromuscular disease to transition into independent, productive, and full adult lives. In September of 2011, the MDA held a one-day Transitions Summit to discuss these issues.
According to the MDA, in the U.S. alone, each year almost a half million young people who experience disability and chronic health issues become young adults. Due to improvements in health care, this group has been growing in number and will continue to grow. The Transition Center and the National Transitions Initiative focus on advocacy and support for this group as individuals seek higher education, careers, and life as independent adults.
Resources:
Davidson, M., (2011). MDA Launches Transitions Resource Center for Young Adults. Quest. Retrieved from https://quest.mda.org/news/mda-launches-transitions-resource-center-young-adults on 3/6/15.
Davidson, M., (2011). MDA Transitions Summit: Breaking Down the Barriers. Quest. Retrieved from https://quest.mda.org/news/mda-transitions-summit-breaking-down-barriers on 3/6/15.
Kennedy, A., (2011). From a Child to an Adult: MDA’s New Transitions Resource Center. Quest, 18:3. Retrieved from https://quest.mda.org/article/child-adult-mdas-new-transitions-resource-center on 3/6/15.
Kennedy, A., (2009). New MDA Program Addresses Young Adults ‘In Transition.’ Quest, 16:2. Retrieved from https://quest.mda.org/article/new-mda-program-addresses-young-adults-transition on 3/6/15.
MDA, (2015). MDA Transitions Center website. Retrieved from https://transitions.mda.org/ on 3/6/15.
The Resources tab lists resources on a variety of issues affecting teens and young adults with neuromuscular disease. These include resources regarding independence, education, career, mobile accessories and application, webinars, peer to peer tips, and the MDA Wiki project (a collaborative forum). Under each of these areas, a detailed listing of resources, both MDA resources, governmental resources, and organizations outside of the MDA, is given.
MDA Webinars of interest to teens and young adults with neuromuscular disease can be accessed through the Transition Center under the Resources tab. Webinars include topics such as career, education, living independently, genetic counseling, dating, and travel.
The Transition Center also has a Blogs tab, which highlights a featured blog each week. Visitors can read the blogs of a number of writers with neuromuscular disease. Those who are interested can also become a ‘guest blogger’ to make their voice heard.
Visitors can also view photos in Accessible Spaces Gallery. Under the Accessible Spaces tab, visitors can view accessible in spaces such as dorm rooms, a bathroom makeover, and a wheelchair ramp. Visitors can also download photos and stories about how their own spaces were made accessible.
Under the Get Involved tab, visitors are encouraged to “make an impact.” Information regarding ways to stay connected, be heard, and participate in MDA events and leadership, research, and advocacy are listed. Visitors can also be heard through taking the MDA Transitions Center survey, designed to assist MDA leadership in gaining a better understanding of the needs of young adults with neuromuscular disease. The Transitions Center also takes nominations for ‘Transitions Center Person’ of the week on the site.
The Transitions Center website is an extension of the MDA’s National Transitions Initiative. Started in September of 2008 as a task force, the National Transitions Initiative aims to assist teens and young adults with neuromuscular disease to transition into independent, productive, and full adult lives. In September of 2011, the MDA held a one-day Transitions Summit to discuss these issues.
According to the MDA, in the U.S. alone, each year almost a half million young people who experience disability and chronic health issues become young adults. Due to improvements in health care, this group has been growing in number and will continue to grow. The Transition Center and the National Transitions Initiative focus on advocacy and support for this group as individuals seek higher education, careers, and life as independent adults.
Resources:
Davidson, M., (2011). MDA Launches Transitions Resource Center for Young Adults. Quest. Retrieved from https://quest.mda.org/news/mda-launches-transitions-resource-center-young-adults on 3/6/15.
Davidson, M., (2011). MDA Transitions Summit: Breaking Down the Barriers. Quest. Retrieved from https://quest.mda.org/news/mda-transitions-summit-breaking-down-barriers on 3/6/15.
Kennedy, A., (2011). From a Child to an Adult: MDA’s New Transitions Resource Center. Quest, 18:3. Retrieved from https://quest.mda.org/article/child-adult-mdas-new-transitions-resource-center on 3/6/15.
Kennedy, A., (2009). New MDA Program Addresses Young Adults ‘In Transition.’ Quest, 16:2. Retrieved from https://quest.mda.org/article/new-mda-program-addresses-young-adults-transition on 3/6/15.
MDA, (2015). MDA Transitions Center website. Retrieved from https://transitions.mda.org/ on 3/6/15.
You Should Also Read:
Learn about accessibility and voting.
Read about influenza and neuromuscular disease.
What is behavioral sleep medicine?
Related Articles
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map
Content copyright © 2023 by Jori Reijonen, Ph.D.. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Jori Reijonen, Ph.D.. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Jori Reijonen, Ph.D. for details.
