A Quarterly Publication

Produced BY & FOR NC Youth with Disabilities

What I want to accomplish or

am most excited for this coming year…

"It's using your voice to tell

others what you need."

-Khloe

"I advocate for myself when I tell my parents when I feel overstimulated."

-Donovan

Being a self advocate means speaking up for yourself. This can be hard sometimes. You can practice by writing down what you want to say or even by practicing in front of a mirror, friends, or with a camera phone

North Carolina's Got Talent!

YEP's NCGT column 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 Visa gift card in the mail!

And the Winners Are...

"Clarity"

"I am submitting a video of me singing Clarity by Zedd, featuring Foxes. I hope it will be chosen because I want to be a Kidz Bop Kid someday and I want other kids to know that they can do anything they want."

Logan D.

Mecklenburg County, NC

Age 12

12 year old boy standing with headphones on in front of a music stand

Click here to watch Logan's video

"Venom/Spiderman"

"I sent a half Venom half Spiderman drawing because they are my favorite marvel characters."

Jayce R.

Iredell County, NC

Age 11

"Flare"

"Flare is a superhero who uses a wheelchair because of an accident he had when he was young. When he uses his powers, he can fly, allowing him freedom to move. I hope that this piece of work shows my artistry. I have a dream to become the next Stan Lee with my superhero universe. Like Flare uses his powers, I use art to help me focus and relieve my anxiety and stress. "

Jack H.

Buncombe County, NC

Age 11

Hair Braiding

"I started doing hair in 9th grade. I love to help people look and feel good about themselves. I like to give them the look they want. This shows my creativity and adaptability proving a disability does not limit someone's ability to excel in hands-on, artistic fields like hair and cosmetology."

Akeeylah B.

Bertie County, NC

Age 16

Young girl standing at a table braiding hair

Click here to watch Akeeylah's first video

Click here to watch Akeeylah's second video

Cello Recital

An adult woman sitting at piano on the left and a teen girl playing the cello on the right

Click here to watch Anna's video

"I am attaching a video of me playing cello in my recent recital. I am proud of myself and want others to see me playing."

Anna N.

Haywood County, NC

Age 18

Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults!

Click here to learn more and register

"Living Independently -

What Skills Do you Need?"

For students with disabilities age 12-22 who live in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia ONLY.

WAZE to Adulthood for Students is a FREE, LIVE training for you! Join us for a live Zoom training as we discuss various independent living skills that will benefit you as you prepare for adulthood. Choose one date to attend:

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Applications are due Sunday, February 23, 2025.

Click here to learn more and apply

Youth Policy Accelerator

Mental Health America's Youth Policy Accelerator (YPA) is a youth leadership program that equips 10 outstanding young adults (18-25) with the skills, relationships, and experience to advance federal youth peer support policy.

The inaugural YPA cohort helped shape mental health policy by conducting original research, meeting with policymakers, launching a national youth peer support policy coalition, and speaking on panels, at events, and town halls.

The all-virtual YPA will take place from April 2025 - December 2025. In addition to receiving a $3,000 stipend.

Click here to learn more

North Carolina Community Foundation

Nearly 140 college scholarships administered by the North Carolina Community Foundation are now open for applications! Most close on March 3rd - no cost to apply.

Most scholarships close for 2025 applications on March 3. There is no cost to apply and students can apply online using NCCF's Universal Scholarships Application.

Applications are due no later than March 31, 2025

Click here to learn more and apply

2025 Youth Leadership Forum Delegate Application Now Open

The 2025 Youth Leadership Forum (NCYLF) delegate applications are now open for youth and young adults! The event is July 26th through the 30th, and will be held at NC State University in Raleigh. The NCYLF is completely accessible and free to all participants. Any NC resident with any disability from the ages of 15-30 is encouraged to apply!

NCYLF is a multi-day and overnight program hosted by the non-profit organization Youth LEAD NC that helps to foster emerging youth and young adult leaders, teaching them to advocate for themselves and in their communities.

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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.

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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.