YOUTH AS LEADERS: A "How-To" Manual on including youth as leaders in your organization, agency or project 1/14/2008

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) InternshipsSummer 2007

Youth Leadership

First "Disability Youth Speak Out" A Great Success

By Susan Cohen

On October 31st, at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 15 youth with disabilities from across the state had their voices heard for the first time at a NYSILC sponsored event. "The Youth Speak Out was the first statewide conversation to help policy makers shape the youth leadership Programs in New York State", stated Bob Gaffney, Chair of the NYSILC Subcommittee on Youth Leadership and Empowerment.

The subcommittee has been working for several months to develop a youth leadership project As part of the 2008-2010 State Plan For Independent Living (SPIL). The Youth Speak Out Served as a public forum to get direct input from youth as t what their needs are.

The youth in attendance were from Albany, Westchester, th Bronx, Catskill and Syracuse. There were three youth facilitators, Stephanie Orlando from Families Together, D ally Sanchez from WILC and Eva Dech also from WILC. and Peter Crowley, From CBVH was our terrific guest speaker. NYSILC sends a special thank you to these dedicated individuals.