People like Jonathan Jackson tend to have an entourage. An entourage can consist of professionals and family members who support someone with disabilities in all kinds of ways. Often, family members do the bulk of caregiving, and as children grow up, questions arise: What will adulthood look like for them? Who will lead their future entourage?

Exited

Imagining the future and 'other people caring for him'

When Akin Johnson was nearing the end of high school, he was clear about what he wanted to do next. He wanted to get a job. In recent years, there has been a push to get people with disabilities into the general workforce. But despite these initiatives, some students like Akin who aspire to work are running into a problem. They’re being told they’re not independent enough to make it in a work environment.

How disabled is too disabled to work?

Sheltered workshops, where many people with disabilities go to work, have been around for decades. But they’re controversial for a few reasons: They’re usually segregated, and most workers earn less than minimum wage because they’re paid based on how many things they produce. Sheltered workshops are changing now, though. Some are being phased out, and some are integrating into more traditional businesses — whether people who are working in them like it or not.

The uncertain future of segregated workshops

People have been asking about the name of this podcast. Reporter Karen Shakerdge talked to lots of people for this series; listen to how some of them describe what "Exited" means. Also, stay tuned afterward for a preview of the third episode.

Extra: What does Exited mean?

Going to college can be a key experience in a young person's life, leading to friendships, personal growth, a degree — and, of course, future employment. The number of college-based programs for students with intellectual disabilities is growing across the country, and they often provide many of those benefits — except for a traditional degree. In the second episode of Exited , meet three young people as they leave college experiences for the real world.

Leaving college with lots of benefits — but no degree

In the first episode of Exited , explore an early factor in transition – graduation tracks – through the experience of 17-year-old Nate, a student who doesn’t quite fit on any one track. High school plays a huge part in determining what happens next in a young person's life. And for students like Nate, it can get even more complicated.

Want a diploma? Go through this maze first

Leaving the world of adolescence and entering the adult world — the real world — can be a confusing time for anyone. But for young people with disabilities, it can feel like arriving at a cliff as they leave behind the cocoon of school and sometimes struggle to find a place where they belong. Exited , launching Nov. 13, is a podcast that will bring you the stories of eight young people, ranging in age from 17 to 26, as they navigate transitions in various settings – high school, higher education, sheltered workshops, day programs and home life.

First episode of Exited comes November 13

When young people finish high school, they need to figure out what to do next. Growing up can be a daunting experience for everyone, but for people with disabilities, it can feel like arriving at a cliff. Exited explores this moment through the experiences of eight young people and their families as they search for a place to belong. It's a podcast about growing up and trying to find a place where you belong -- when you've been told your whole life that you're different.

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Exited

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