A Quarterly Publication
Produced BY & FOR NC Youth with Disabilities
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We have a lot of great information to share in this issue - be sure to click on "view entire message" at the bottom of this email to read the entire newsletter!
In the last YEP newsletter we asked readers to submit one strength, one challenge and one thing that helps them. Here are some replies:
Graphics created by: David Armas, YAT Social Media Manager
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From Awareness to Action: How Youth Are Advocating Right Now
(with input from our youth teams)
| | Meet Our YAT Leadership Team | | |
Hello, I am Matthew, and I’m excited to be President of the ECAC Youth Advisory Team. One of the things I love most about being part of the YAT is helping other people with disabilities like me feel more confident and supported. I hope that through our meetings, activities, panels, and events, members of the Youth Advisory Team can learn skills that help them in everyday life and feel more comfortable talking about their disabilities in a positive way. I want our community to be a place where everyone feels safe to speak up for themselves, learn how to help others, and grow into strong leaders.
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Hello, my name is David. I am excited to be the Social Media Manager for the ECAC Youth Advisory Team. I like being able to help others just like me to find what they really struggle with and find ways to advocate for themselves and overcome those weaknesses. I believe that as the Social Media Manager, I will be able to bring more awareness to the YAT program to those who would benefit from it. I hope we can bring more people to our community and get to collaborate with others in order to benefit everyone, by sharing our experiences on how to better ourselves, and with self-advocacy.
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Hello, My Name is Hanuvind, Meeting Host and Facilitator, and I am very excited to be here. One of my favourite hobbies I like to do is play basketball, sing and learn about events that are going on. As a host of the leadership team I want everyone to feel like they are welcome. My favourite part about being on the YAT leadership team is inspiring everyone no matter what ability they have and to make sure they can have the self confidence and encouragement to become a leader one day.
| | North Carolina's Got Talent! | | |
YEP's North Carolina's Got Talent is here to put a spotlight on the many talents and abilities of N.C. Youth & Young Adults with Disabilities ages 5 to 26. The format of submissions can be a poem, artwork, blog, video, song, essay, article, presentation, an "About me" article, you name it. ECAC's Youth Advisory Team then reviews the submissions and chooses which ones to feature.
Selected entries receive a $25 check in the mail!
And the Winners Are...
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Nia B.
Davidson County
Age: 18
"I use a bear to relax my sensory issues, so I drew the bear to relax me and hope others as well."
| | | "A Scene of Gnome Ducks in Their Habitat" | |
Bethany I.
Durham County
Age: 10
"This is a scene of a little house for the little gnome ducks we found on Amazon. I hope I can be chosen for this because I think my duck houses are very unique. I think it's unique because of the art materials I used when making this. I used my hot glue gun, hot glue, cardboard, perler beads, fabric, paper, and foam."
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Kaitlyn K.
Mecklenburg County
Age: 17
"I have submitted "Jaws" which is a 9"x12" acrylic painting. This particular piece is of my dog, Tybee. He is a Boston Terrier that gets these spurts of spark, and he looks like a shark! This painting means a lot to me because he is family, and shows all his imperfections and qualities. I hope this will be featured because of the forced perspective, personal value, depth, and silliness of this pup!"
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Zoe K.
Mecklenburg County
Age: 15
"I sent a portrait of my Boston Terrier, Tybee, who was a three month old puppy at the time. I hope it will be featured in the next issue of YEP, because I want to grow as a photographer and share my work with more people. Having dyslexia has shown me that my mind sees things differently and that is a gift. I want to show others that differences are worth celebrating."
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Naji M.
Guilford County
Age: 6
"I am sending in one of my original paintings. I want my painting to be featured in YEP so that other people have an opportunity to enjoy my art as much as family and friends do."
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Moses P.
Cabarrus County
Age: 13
"The piece of work I am submitting is of Godzilla. I am self taught in Procreate. I hope to inspire other kids to learn digital art."
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JP S.
Pasquotank County
Age: 25
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Jade S.
Age 14
Perquimans County
"My sweet cat Curevo was the same age as me, died in November at Thanksgiving week. We had him since I was 2 and he helped me with anxiety, calming, and helped my sisters learn to crawl and walk. He let us dress him up, pet him, cuddle him, always waited for us. He was our best pet. I miss him so much but he is now an angel over the rainbow bridge watching us."
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Tempest S.
Age 8
Perquimans County
"I like spring flowers and cool weather but fall is my favorite and I miss it. Nature is my calm place. I would like others to see my drawing of nature. I have bad tremors and can't draw well or write."
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Ava W.
Age 10
Rockingham County
"Needle felting of my cat Blaze. He is enjoying the sunshine. He loves sunbathing. I hope it will be featured to share the joy of cats with everyone."
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Disability Benefits 101
New website/tools for youth and parents from IEPD - Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD). See what makes the biggest difference for young people.
| | | Communication & Artifical Intelligence (AI) Factsheets | | Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults! | | |
The Laws of Life Essay Contest
The Laws of Life essay contest encourages elementary, middle, and high school students to reflect and write about a core value that means the most to them – and why. All essay writers will be recognized by Character.org. They will also recognize the most compelling essays and feature them on their website and social media channels.
Submission deadline: May 15, 2026
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Student Advisory Council
Do you want to help create a safer, more supportive and inclusive school environment? The Center for Safer Schools Student Advisory Council is now accepting applications! The council brings together middle (eighth grade) and high school (10th grade) students from across the state to share real experiences, discuss important safety concerns and collaborate with education leaders to make meaningful change. If you’re passionate about mental health, bullying prevention, school climate or simply ensuring that student voices are heard, this is your opportunity to lead and make an impact. Apply today and be part of the change.
| | ECAC is providing this newsletter as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the ECAC. The views expressed by guest writers, speakers and artists are their own and their appearance in YEP does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views, thoughts and opinions expressed by YEP contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of ECAC or any of its staff. | | |
1-800-862-6817
www.ecac-parentcenter.org
| | The production of this material was funded by the Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H328M200039. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service or enterprise mentioned is intended or should be inferred. | | | | |
