Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy Newsletter | |
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We hope you all had a wonderful summer! We did, and we have lots to share with you... keep reading for all the latest news in the KYEA world...
We are very excited about our topic for this newsletter as it is the heart and core of so much that we do at KYEA. DISABILITY PRIDE! Do you have it? Do you want it? Maybe you don't even know what this means. Well, we've got you covered! This whole issue highlights people who are disabled and proud, as well as why we should have disability pride. Keep reading, and you'll see what we mean!
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KYEA News
So much has been happening in the last few months at KYEA! We have lots to share with you! Our 2023 Kansas Youth Leadership Forum was a huge success, we are gearing up for more Empower Me! Workshops across the state, and a big change is happening within our staff. Read all about this and more below...
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KSYLF 2023 A Week to Remember: 19 Delegates Find Community, Disability Pride, and Tools for Leadership and Life Success
In July, 19 young people with disabilities came together for our 22nd annual Kansas Youth Leadership Forum. Our theme, this year, created directly by one of our alumni, was “Be Yourself, Be Proud, Belong!” It was an exciting, empowering week and delegates came away knowing that they have a new family in which they fully belong! As always, it was a week to remember!
Nineteen youth leaders from across the state gathered at Washburn University in Topeka from July 17-21. The delegates came from a wide variety of different cities, with the furthest delegate traveling from Attica, KS. With the theme, delegates learned to really be themselves and celebrate everything that makes them unique. They also were encouraged to be proud of their disability and the community that they are a part of… the disability community. They learned that, when you embrace who you are, you can find where you really belong… and the KSYLF is one place that they fully belong!
This year, we had 21 staff members, including 9 alumni who returned to serve in a mentor role. A big thank you to all of our volunteers/staff! As always, the week was full of memories, new friendships, new experiences, happy tears, empowering moments, celebration, and so much laughter. The week included the usual large and small group sessions, Day at the Capital, Mentor Luncheon, wheelchair basketball, Real Life Affair, and dance. The Mentor Luncheon keynote speaker, this year, was CAYLF alumni and fierce advocate/leader, Christina Mills, who represented one of our sponsors, Healthy Blue. Christina shared her journey to accomplishment and disability pride, as well as emphasized the impact that YLF has had on her life.
We are so excited to welcome our 19 new alumni to the KSYLF family! We love you all, and you’re stuck with us now!
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A Word From One of Our New Volunteers
Thinking about being a volunteer for next summer's KSYLF? Do it! Take it from one of our brand new volunteers this past summer... you won't regret it!
"The best part, by far, is interacting with our participants. I watched this year's delegates come together in friendship, work together, laugh together, and become stronger together. I am grateful to have met such driven individuals! I didn't know what quite to expect. It exceeded my expectations in every conceivable way. KSYLF fosters a welcoming and judgement free atmosphere for delegates to shine and unlock their full potential as leaders and self-advocates. Anyone seeking to make a difference in their community, help others in a meaningful way, or find meaningfulness in their own life, should consider getting involved."
- Cristian Alarid, KSYLF Volunteer 2023
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KSYLF Volunteers Got Some Skills!
We know that our delegates are always talented. We see that during our Talent Show each year, but we didn't realize just how talented our alumni and volunteers are! This year, many of our volunteers put their creative skills to work by coming up with songs and poems to reflect the theme of the week. Check out these awesome creations by three of this summer's volunteers:
"You're Home- A KSYLF Song"
Audio Version
Lyrics
Powerpoint
Song by Ally Sydney Appl (KSYLF Alumni '19), Shelby Butler, and Travis Barker
"Be Yourself, Be Proud, Belong!"
Song by Kirstianna Guerrero, KSYLF Alumni '18 and Faces Alumni '20
"Stand Strong"
Poem by Haley Linnell, KSYLF Volunteer
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Our Mentor Luncheon is always our opportunity to recognize awesome people in our state who are furthering the youth empowerment movement! This year, we gave out two of our awards to committed people who are doing just that. | |
The Justin Cosco Award was presented to Kirstianna Guerrero, 2018 KSYLF Alumni, who has just exploded as a youth leader in our state, accomplishing so many goals and now working as the Administrative Assistant for KYEA. Kirstianna created the first Disabled and Proud Parade in Kansas, has held various titles and leadership positions within the Kansas Miss Amazing organization, and was recognized as a NextGen Under 30 Kansas Honoree. | |
The Spirit of Hope Award, in memory of John Peterson, was given to Adam Burnett. Adam is passionate about empowering youth with disabilities and, during his 20+ years with the Resource Center for Independent Living, Inc., has consistently made his work with youth with disabilities a priority. Adam has also been a friend and supporter of KYEA for many years. | | |
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The KSYLF would not be possible each year without our sponsors! Thank you to our many 2023 KSYLF sponsors who are committed to the success of this program. We are grateful to this entire group of businesses and organizations who believe in building youth leaders with disabilities in our state. Your investment changed the lives of 19 young people in Kansas. Thank you!!
Visit our 2023 Sponsor page for a full list of this year’s KSYLF sponsors.
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A New Year of Empower Me! Workshops Around the Corner
Another year; another full schedule of employment workshops across the state! We are about to start up our Empower Me! Workshops again, which is our collaboration with Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). We have a full schedule planned that will include 7 in-person workshops and at least 3 virtual ones. So, we will be back on the road, maybe coming to a city near you soon! First two stops… Wichita on October 10 and Topeka on October 24. In the coming months, we will also be headed to the Kansas City and Salina areas.
If you are in these cities, are a Pre-ETS consumer, and would like to attend an Empower Me! Workshop, just ask your specialist, and they can get you signed up! Or, if you would like to speak on our employment panel, volunteer, or assist with these workshops in another way, please contact us at carrieg@kyea.org. Here’s to brighter employment futures for many young people with disabilities in our state!
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Searching for Youth Applicants for 2024 Kansas Youth Leadership Forum!
It's that time again! KYEA is currently searching for potential youth leaders to attend our 23rd Annual Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KSYLF). Are you a youth with a disability who has an interest in leadership, who wants to become a better advocate, or who would like to meet other youth leaders with disabilities? Then consider applying to the KSYLF! The 2024 KSYLF will be held July 15-20 at Washburn University in Topeka.
All students who are interested in attending the KSYLF must meet the following criteria:
- reside in Kansas
- have a disability as defined with the Americans With Disabilities Act
- be in the 11th or 12th grade as of December 31, 2023 (or be in an 18-21 transition program)
- have demonstrated leadership potential in school and/or the community
Interested students must fill out an application that will be reviewed through a competitive selection process. The application deadline for the 2024 forum is December 15, 2023.
Don’t miss out on this amazing week of empowerment, leadership growth, new experiences, and making new friends!
Learn more and apply
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disability pride :
Having the words “disability” and “pride” in the same phrase may seem strange to some… but, we are here to tell you- disability pride is alive! And it is something that we wholeheartedly believe in at KYEA. In fact, it is a concept that we teach in all of our programs. But, what in the world is it? We have this entire newsletter dedicated to this concept, but what is it really? In order to help make sense of this newsletter, we thought we better start from the ground up and explain what we are referring to when we say disability pride.
Disability pride is actually not in the dictionary. And honestly, each person creates their own definition of this phrase. But, at KYEA, we go back to the definition given by one of our role models who really began to spread the concept of disability pride- Sarah Triano. Sarah attended the first Youth Leadership Forum in California and went on to create the first Disability Pride Parade. Her definition of disability pride is just to the right. Check it out!
Ok, so what does her definition mean? Basically, it means that disability is not wrong or bad; that we can celebrate it; that there is a community and culture behind it; and that it’s just a part of life for many people. Even more simply said- DISABILITY IS OKAY! Taking it one step further- having a disability can be PRETTY COOL! That’s it in a nutshell. Now, this can, and does, look different for each person. Read on through the rest of this newsletter to find out what it looks like for many Kansans…
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“Disability Pride represents a rejection of the notion that our physical, sensory, mental, and cognitive differences from the non-disabled standard are wrong or bad in any way, and is a statement of our self-acceptance, dignity and pride. It is a public expression of our belief that our disabilities are a natural part of human diversity, a celebration of our heritage and culture, and a validation of our experience.” | |
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Spotlight On: Embracing Your Full Self and Finding Your Voice
Zander Shaffer, Haysville
by Dallas Hathaway, Faces Alumni '16 and KYEA Board President
Zander Shaffer, a graduate of Campus High School, is a new Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) alumni. Zander attended the forum this summer. Zander is a person with Tourette Syndrome and ADHD. During our conversation, he shared that his disability can sometimes make him hyper. A quick Google search revealed that Tourette Syndrome is a nervous system condition which causes people to have “tics.” Tics are sudden twitches, movements, or sounds that people make repeatedly.
When talking with Zander about his time at the KSYLF this summer, he told me his favorite part of the week was visiting the Kansas State Capitol. During the visit, youth are given the opportunity to learn more about the legislative process and how laws are created.
In his free time, Zander participates as a member of PROJECT Search. This is a program for young adults with disabilities who want to work in the community.
“I like working with children,” Shaffer said.
He currently works part-time at a local day-care center where he helps care for children. Zander also enjoys singing and writing song lyrics.
“I like the poetry aspect of writing songs,” he said. “I also like rhyming.”
Zander told me that he hopes to become a famous singer, but, if that doesn't work out, he would like to work with children. He shared with me that his favorite musician is Billie Eilish. Here are some lyrics from Zander’s music:
Sell my soul to get what I wanted
Drowning in this pool of darkness
I saw the devil in person
Take my soul cause’ I know I’m not worth it.
Having a disability can certainly be challenging at times, but it is also something that we can be proud of and show pride in. Zander explained to me that he was once insecure about having a disability. He explained that he now feels good about having a disability and this has helped him become a better self-advocate.
“I used to be too nice,” he said.
This allowed others to walk all over him, but he has learned to stand up for himself.
I want to thank Zander for spending some time allowing me to get to know him and sharing his experiences while attending KSYLF. He has confidence and the ability to be a leader, become a famous singer, or even open a daycare someday!
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The Journey to Finding Disability Pride
Olathe advocate reflects on growth as a person with a disability
by Harper Adams, 2023 Kansas Miss Amazing Jr Teen
I’ve been disabled my whole life. I have Spina Bifida, so I walk with braces and forearm crutches. In my years of living with a disability, I’ve learned and grown in my opinions and views on my life and abilities.
When I was younger, I knew I was different, but didn't really think anything of it. If kids at school asked about my disability, I would just say things like, “My legs don’t work as well as yours, so I walk with crutches.” I didn’t use any type of specific terminology for my disability.
By the time I got to middle school, I decided to become more of a disability advocate. I started my blog, Talking-Up, and started writing about things like how to interact with people with disabilities, what are disabilities, etc. At the time, I was very vocal about not using the term “disabled.” It wasn't because I was ashamed to be different. It was more because I thought the prefix “dis” made it a bad thing. Instead, I would call myself a person with special needs, or I would say that I just walk differently,
Since then, I have educated myself by reading things online and talking to my disabled friends. Now, I exclusively call myself a disabled person. I’ve recognized that disability isn't a bad word, and it’s okay that it stops me from doing some physical things because it has given me so many cool relationships and helped me grow as a person.
Even today, I’m still growing in my journey as a disabled person. I struggle with frustration about my disability just because I can’t do everything that able-bodied people can. Even with the challenges, I am so proud to call myself disabled and be part of, in my opinion, one of the strongest communities in the world.
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What is Disability Pride to You?
Kansans with disabilities share their thoughts on what makes the proud to be a person with a disability!
| Allison Wilkes, KSYLF Volunteer and ICON Alumna | Shane Lewis, KSYLF and Faces Alumni | Kirstianna Guerrero, KYEA Administrative Assistant and KSYLF/Faces Alumna | Johnna Godinez, KYEA Program Assistant | | |
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"Today marks the beginning of our efforts to develop a whole community of people with disabilities and allies who are proud to be who we are, who do not see ourselves as victims, who expect more from ourselves and those within our community, and who are committed to building an inclusive community that recognizes the dignity, humanity, and worth of all people."
- Sarah Triano, Founder of Disability Pride Parade
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Advocate and CAYLF Alumna, Christina Mills, Shares Her Story of Finding Disability Pride
An interview by Whit Downing, Faces Alumna '17
Christina Mills is a strong, proud advocate and person with a disability. You would never guess that she hasn't always had disability pride. Her story is one of finding her community through a Youth Leadership Forum and the rest is history!
We were honored to have the opportunity to have one of our alumni interview Christina. We are thankful to call her friend, and we know that you will love her just as much as we do after watching this video!
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10 Ways to Show Disability Pride at School
by Johnna Godinez, KYEA Program Assistant
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Do you think you’re too young to show disability pride? Absolutely not! EVERYONE can live out disability pride in their daily lives… including when you are at school! Here are 10 simple ways to show your disability pride in school:
1. Get crafty and create your own disability pride t-shirt or pin and wear them to school – Nothing says fashion with meaning than a slogan like “Disability pride; I’m not going to hide!”
2. Write a play, story, or poem that focuses on having a disability. See if your school’s drama team will perform it!
3. Write an article about what disability pride means to you for the school newsletter – Present how liking yourself is your superpower.
4. Help other students who do not have an identified disability OR become friends with a fellow student with a disability – Teach others that people with disabilities have something to give to those in the community
5. Always use good hygiene… brush your teeth, take showers, use deodorant, and wash and condition your hair – Let’s face it; people are so judgmental. So, take the time to present yourself well.
6. Run for student office – What better way to represent AND make change!
7. Go to dances and actually dance – Did you know that people with low-vision and who are wheelchair mobile can bust some moves too? I see it every year at the KSYLF dance.
8. Be in charge of your IEP meetings – This meeting is about you, and it would be cool if you planned it.
9. Respond to bullying with kindness – Show others how being a person with a disability sometimes requires that you be the better person. You could ask, “hey, I noticed you had a fight with your boyfriend, do you need to talk to someone? I’m here if you do.”
10. Use your accommodations from your IEP or 501 plan – Getting bad grades because you do not use your accommodations is just silly. People who are disabled and proud use their rights to be educated, and so should you!
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Words... do they really matter?
How terminology helps or hurts disability pride
by Kirstianna Guerrero, KYEA Administrative Assistant and KSYLF/Faces Alumna
You’ve probably heard examples of what language should or shouldn’t be used to describe people with disabilities. Let’s take a deeper look at these word choices to discover why- through the lens of how they can hurt or help disability pride.
“Suffers from (Their Disability)” – HURT
This phrase implies that living with a disability is inherently miserable and that something is wrong with you.
Handicapped – HURT
A handicap is defined as an obstacle. While this word can be used to describe the inaccessible parts of the world, using it to describe people with disabilities themselves is not appropriate because we are not obstacles and should not be seen that way.
Handicapped Parking – HURT
Since Handicap is defined as an obstacle, using it to describe the accommodations that give people with disabilities equal access also implies that these accommodations are obstacles to others.
Accessible Parking – HELP
Describing the accommodations that provide equal access to people with disabilities in this way helps everybody by referring to it by the accessibility it brings.
Special Needs – HURT
The equipment or methods we use to meet our needs may look different than our non-disabled peers, but our needs are all the same. Using the word special to describe basic human needs makes them sound extra and can come with the bias that, to include people with “special needs” is also extra or will be complicated.
Disability – HELP
The word disability is a descriptive word. It doesn’t limit our strengths and potential, just like having a disability doesn’t limit our strengths and potential. Also, this is the most commonly accepted word in the disability community.
Differently abled – HURT
Phrases like this can perpetuate the idea that the word “Disability” is negative and should be avoided. It can also be perceived that the person speaking is uncomfortable with the person’s disability and feels the need to try to make it sound more positive when describing it.
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Disability Culture is Alive and Thriving
Did you know the disability community has a culture all it's own?
by Kirstianna Guerrero, KYEA Administrative Assistant and KSYLF/Faces Alumna
Let’s take a look at 6 ways you can experience disability culture as you express disability pride and embrace the disability community:
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1.History
The history of the disability community is an important foundation of disability culture. By developing an appreciation for the past, we can better understand how we have reached where we are today.
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2. Arts
Artistic pieces created by people with disabilities are a part of Disability culture, even indirectly. Using creativity to express yourself can take on many forms, from visual arts to poetry to dance and more.
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3.Music
Music in Disability Culture spans across genres. From mainstream songs that come to have a deeper meaning as you listen with a lense of your disability experience, to artists with disabilities expressing themselves through every kind of music.
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4.Adaptive Sports
Many cultures unite over the love of a sport. What brings us together in the love of sports is inclusion, whether your joy comes in the watching or participating in competitive or recreational sports, all the different ways that activities can be adapted so that everyone can be involved brings us together, spanning from local opportunities all the way up to the Paralympics.
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Disability Pride Flag a Symbol of Struggle and Community
by Elizabeth Wright, KSYLF Alumna '18 and Faces Alumna '20
Maybe you have a disability, or you know someone who does, but do you know what it is to have pride in your disability? For most of us with disabilities, to have pride in our disabilities means to embrace our differences as part of who we are and celebrate that.
In 2017, Ann Magill, a writer with cerebral palsy, went to a disability pride celebration for the 20th anniversary of the ADA and was inspired to create the first version of the disability pride flag that she unveiled in 2019. The flag was described as having a black background with a multi bright colored zig-zag. This design was actually visually disruptive to people with seizures and other visual impairments, so Ms. Magill took to social media and asked for the disability community to help redesign the flag in a more accessible way and waived her copyright rights to it so that it could be available to everyone.
The new flag is now more visually friendly and is described as having a faded black background that symbolizes mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse. The diagonal bands symbolize cutting across the walls and barriers that separate the disabled from non-disabled society, also representing light and creativity cutting through the darkness. Each color stripe has a meaning behind it. Check this out:
- Red - physical disabilities
- Gold - neurodiversity
- White - invisible disabilities and disabilities that haven't yet been diagnosed
- Blue - emotional and psychiatric disabilities, including mental health disabilities like anxiety and depression
- Green - for sensory disabilities, including deafness, blindness, lack of smell, lack of taste, audio processing disorder, and all other sensory disabilities
How cool is it that our community has its own flag? Display it proudly!
| Disability Culture is Alive and Thriving (cont.) | |
5. Advocacy
Both Self-Advocacy and Systems-Advocacy are woven into the fabric of disability culture. Disability Pride helps us understand our needs and build the confidence to speak up for ourselves. It also provides us with the passion to stand in solidarity with others in our community, uniting to create change.
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6. Disability Pride Parades
The epitome of expressing our own disability pride by uniting with our community to publicly declare who we are- Disabled and Proud!
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Community Power!
Highlighting helpful resources throughout the state
Working Healthy
by Michaela VanDuesen, KSYLF Alumni '17
Hey! Are you at least 16 years old or older? Do you want to have a job where you can make more than $65.01 per month? If so, Working Healthy can provide you additional income while also keeping medical coverage.
Working Healthy is a program that provides full KanCare coverage (health insurance) to members, while also encouraging people to work. Working Healthy focuses on providing benefits counseling, benefits planning, access to other employment resources, an understanding of career choices, dignity, independence, and the idea of choice.
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Are you a leader in your school? Are you interested in public service? The KS State Department of Education will be nominating Kansas youth for the US Senate Youth Program, and it could be you! Two student leaders from each state will spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Students must be actively serving in high-level elected or appointed leadership positions to qualify to apply. Apply by October 10. Learn more and apply
Are you a person with an intellectual/developmental disability (I/DD)? Would you like to gather with other advocates in Kansas and neighboring states? Attend the SOAR Conference! The 2023 SOAR Conference will be held in Overland Park from October 27th – 29th, 2023 at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park. KUCDD is partnering with SACK to put on this conference. It is a conference by self-advocates for self-advocates. It will be a regional conference attended by self-advocates from seven midwestern states. Learn more
Families Together is gearing up to host another one of their SHIFT Transition to Adulthood trainings! You won't want to miss it! This one will be held in Salina on October 21. Kansas Parents and youth with disabilities, age 14-21, are invited to join them for this free training to discover the road to a good life. Learn more and register
Families Together will also be hosting their Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) in Hays in November. Join them to learn about services, programs, and supports available to support gaining and maintaining employment for youth/young adults who have disabilities. Learn more
Speakers wanted for ThinkFirst of Kansas City! ThinkFirst is an injury prevention program aimed at kids and young drivers. They are asking for help finding young adult speakers who have been injured in a motor vehicle crash and now have a TBI or SCI Injury. Learn more
Your input is needed to improve Targeted Case Management! The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is working to improve case management for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). KDADS will host several stakeholder meetings for individuals and families to gather information, ideas, problem areas, and questions from individuals and families who receive IDD targeted case management and HCBS services. There are multiple meetings coming up. To learn more, email ks_tcmstudy@pcgus.com.
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards are looking for nominations. These are cash awards given to motivated women who are the primary financial supporters of their families. The recipients of the awards are seeking to improve their lives by gaining additional skills, training, or education, but may not have the resources to do so. These cash awards are meant to offset any costs associated with the recipient's efforts to attain higher education, including tuition, books, supplies, childcare or transportation costs. The deadline to apply is November 15. Learn more
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Opportunities on a National Level
It's National Disability Employment Awareness Month! This is a month for celebrating that ALL people can work and the awesome things that people with disabilities bring to the workforce. Learn about this month
AAPD is looking for emerging leaders to participate in their Summer Internship Program! This program is a professional and career development opportunity for disabled students and recent graduates. In this program, participants access meaningful employment, gain leadership skills, and connect to the broader disability community. They place college students, graduate students, law students, and recent graduates with all types of disabilities in a 10-week paid summer internship for 32 hours a week with Congressional offices, federal agencies, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations within the Washington, DC area and nationwide. Apply by October 19. Learn more
The AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award is seeking nominations! This award recognizes emerging leaders or groups with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the broader cross-disability community. Two (2) individuals or groups will each receive $7,500 to further a new or existing initiative that increases opportunities for people with disabilities and $2,500 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the disability community. Apply by October 25. Learn more
Do you know someone who’s a champion of mentoring? Nominate them for the Excellence in Mentoring Awards from the MENTOR organization! These awards annually recognize outstanding leadership and commitment to supporting youth through mentoring relationships. They are now accepting nominations for Excellence in Mentoring Award winners in various categories. The deadline is October 13, and the awards will be celebrated during the 2024 National Mentoring Summit in Washington, DC, from January 24-26, 2024. Learn more
You gotta love technology! Back in May, Apple previewed software features for cognitive, vision, hearing, and mobility accessibility, along with innovative tools for individuals who are nonspeaking or at risk of losing their ability to speak. This will hopefully make Apple products even more accessible to people with all disabilities. Read more
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Thank you for reading our newsletter!
Look for our next issue in December!
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