Restoring Youth Leadership and Advocacy in Disability Communities

Transition-aged youth are those between the ages of fourteen to twenty-four, a period when one moves from school to employment and/or independent living. Transition-aged youth with disabilities and advocacy groups are essential to the survival of disability rights and those disability rights were passed as a matter of federal law in 1990, in the Americans with Disabilities Act. But, those rights are still being challenged. Disability Partners, a local nonprofit organization, is affiliated with the nationally recognized Center for Independent Living. This local organization is concerned about who will replace those retiring as disability advocates and leaders. They wish to empower the youth who have a disability with independent living and leadership skills and want to foster the youth’s connection with their community and strengthen their voice. Academic research was reviewed and recorded interviews from parents of children with disabilities were conducted to understand the barriers and expectations for a youth leadership group. Currently, there are no youth disability leadership or outreach programs in Western North Carolina that are affiliated with the Center for Independent Living. In order to evaluate the needs of youth with disabilities in the terms of leadership development and outreach, parents in Buncombe County were given eight interview questions and their responses were recorded for analysis. This information will be used by Disability Partners to implement a plan of action to attract youth with disabilities, into their leadership program.