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Self-Advocacy Leadership (SAL) --Youth Information, Training and Resources Project

Individuals with disabilities want to improve their ability to speak for themselves, stand up for one another, and bring about systems change. Unfortunately, many youth and young adults with disabilities continue to rely heavily on other people who determine how they will live, where they will work, and if they will go to college. Research emphasizes that when youth come to believe they can control their lives, they begin to exercise personal control and become active in making decisions that affect their lives.

The SAL Youth Information, Training and Resources project will provide information, training, and resources to increase self-advocacy leadership skills in youth with disabilities (ages 13 to 17) and young adults with disabilities (ages 18 to 30) who are emerging leaders. Through this project, we envision that youth and emerging leaders will understand their own power to make choices in their lives; will acquire skills in speaking up and planning for their lives at an earlier age; and some will become leaders in their respective communities and at regional and state levels, speaking up for themselves and others.

The project will partner with school divisions and local, regional, and state agencies and organizations that involve, or wish to involve, self-advocates in issues important to their lives.

1. Training Services: Modules, workshops, presentations, and self-study guides on a variety of topics to support self-advocacy leadership development and the establishment of a network of co-trainers (self-advocates and allies);

2. Information and Referral: A website for sharing information, listing training modules and other materials and resources on self-advocacy and self-advocacy leadership, providing links to websites with state and national information, and increasing visibility of self-advocacy.

3. Mentoring: A leadership mentoring program that supports 10 emerging leaders yearly in developing individual plans for self-advocacy leadership.

4. Technical Assistance and Consultation: A community component that provides training, technical assistance, and consultation in selected underserved communities.