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Big News From YAT & JYAT

ECAC is excited to launch our newly structured Youth Advisory Team (YAT) and Junior Youth Advisory Team (JYAT) - and the response was amazing! This year we received over 70 applications from students across North Carolina who want to grow as leaders, build confidence, and use their voices to make a difference.

These teams are designed to amplify youth voice, build leadership skills, and give students with disabilities meaningful opportunities to shape programs, advocate for change, and grow as confident leaders in their communities.

We’ve restructured both teams to create clearer leadership pathways, more opportunities for student voice, and developmentally appropriate supports for different age groups. The goal is simple: empower students not just to participate - but to lead.

Stay Tuned, Big Things Are Ahead!

One of the most important life skills for students with disabilities is self-advocacy, or speaking up about what you need to learn and succeed. It includes sharing your strengths and asking for support or accommodations. Self-advocacy can look different at different ages. For younger students, parents and caregivers often help model and support self-advocacy. Over time, students gradually take on more of that role themselves as they are ready. 

Why Self-Advocacy Matters for Students With Disabilities

Many students with disabilities learn, communicate or process information differently than their peers. Some students may need accommodations or support to fully access and participate in school, activities, or in the community after school. Self-advocacy helps to make sure needs are clearly understood, support is provided and students feel included. 

Asking for support is not a weakness. It is a skill that helps students access the same opportunities as others.

Self-Awareness: The Foundation of Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy starts with self-awareness. When students understand their strengths and needs, they are better able to express what helps them succeed. With support, practice, and time, self-advocacy becomes a lifelong skill that empowers students to navigate school, work, and life with confidence.

Self awareness includes:

• Knowing your strengths
• Knowing what is challenging for you
• Knowing what helps you succeed and what makes things harder

For parents, helping children build self-awareness early can lead to greater confidence and independence later. For students, it’s important to know that no one has everything figured out right away. Learning about yourself is a process that happens over time.

How Self Advocacy Affects the Future

Self-advocacy skills do not stop at school. They may develop across elementary, middle and high school and carry into college, training programs, and jobs. As students get older and more independent, knowing how to explain needs, ask questions, and request support becomes more important. Strong self-advocacy skills support independence, confidence, and positive long-term outcomes.

Tips for Younger Students:

• Notice what helps you learn: Do pictures help? Quiet time? Extra help from an adult?
• Practice using your words: Saying things like, “I need help” or “Can you explain that again?” is a great start.
• Ask for help when something feels hard: Everyone needs help sometimes and that’s okay.
• Talk to a trusted adult: Teachers, parents, and caregivers are there to help you learn and grow.

Tips for Older Students:

• Learn about your strengths and needs: Knowing what works for you makes it easier to explain it to others.
• Practice speaking up in small ways: Start by asking one question or explaining one need at a time.
• Understand your supports and accommodations: Know what they are and how they help you succeed.
• Remember that self-advocacy is a skill: It gets easier with practice, experience, and confidence.
• You don’t have to do it alone: Trusted adults, mentors, and support systems can help you prepare and practice.

ECAC recognizes and celebrates Nicholas Batley—one of the founding members of ECAC’s Youth Advisory Team. From the earliest days of a small group gathered around a table to a statewide network of youth voices, Nicholas has been a constant presence, sharing his experiences, advocating for others, and leading with humor, honesty, and heart. Through seminars, summits, and countless conversations, he has shown what self-advocacy, growth, and determination truly look like. As Nicholas prepares to close this chapter of his YAT journey, we are honored to share his reflections and the legacy he leaves behind.

Click here to read more from Nicholas

Members of the ECAC Youth Advisory Group attended the Arc National Convention held in Charlotte, NC this past November. They were part of the "Dare to Lead" panel. The convention gathered advocates, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, professionals, and leaders from across the U.S. in a multi-day event focused on advocacy, inclusion, community building, and leadership. 

Advisory team members share their thoughts on the experience...

"Participating in the ECAC Youth Advisory Team panel has been one of the most meaningful experiences I've had while on the team. Listening to other youth advocates share their stories taught me that every disability journey is different, yet we all share common challenges and victories. I wanted to join this panel because I know what it's like to navigate school with hearing loss, and I believe that sharing my experiences helps teachers, parents, and other youth understand strategies that make a difference in their day-to-day lives. Speaking about my journey made me feel heard, knowing my voice could truly help people think differently about disabilities. I also want other teachers and adults to know how to support other people with disabilities and have the tools to help them succeed." 
- Matthew Markus

"Participating in the youth panel at the National ARC convention was exciting because I got to participate with my friends at YAT and share my experiences with others who may benefit from my story. I felt proud that what I shared may help others gain a better understanding of what it is like to live with a disability. I would tell other youth who want to share their experience with others to remember that there are no wrong answers. Everyone has a different story and experiences, so just share who you are." - Jaxson Eroh

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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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.