Welcome to the Employment Development Department

Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)

Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF)

The 2009 Youth Leadership Forum will take place July 26-30, 2009 in Sacramento, California. Information and the application are available at the following web site: www.youthleadership.kintera.org Please note that spaces are limited, please apply immediately.

This annual forum is an exciting, fun, educational, five-day vocational awareness program for high school students with disabilities in California. Young people with disabilities have more opportunities and more challenges than at any other time in our nation’s history. With the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they have unprecedented opportunities to fully develop as constructive, contributing members of our society. However, many need encouragement and information about resources to develop as leaders in their communities. Our forum enables them to learn from each other and from successful adults with disabilities who are recognized leaders and role models. Such a forum benefits not only the participants, but all young people with disabilities, communities in general, and the adults who assist in producing the forum.

What Kind of Students Participate in the Youth Leadership Forum?

Young people with disabilities who demonstrate leadership potential, academic success, involvement in extra-curricular activities, community involvement, and the ability to interact effectively with other students.

What Specifically Happens at the Forum?

  • The program includes small and large group discussions, a talent/variety show, a dance, a formal luncheon with community leaders, and a meeting in the Governor’s Office.
  • Topics include “Choosing a Career,” “Understanding the History of Disability as a Culture,” and “Assistive Technology for Independence.” Presenters include disability community leaders, legislators, celebrities, and other adult role models who have disabilities.
  • The students identify existing barriers to personal and professional success and develop plans to deal with those barriers.
  • The students learn to manage their independence, including their health care issues.
  • The students develop public policy recommendations which are formally presented by the Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities to the Governor and State Legislature.
  • Students develop personal leadership plans which include specific action items for the students when they return to their communities.

Why Have This Forum?

As young people with disabilities grow into adulthood, they must begin to plan for a life beyond school. Historically, youth with disabilities have the highest unemployment rates, the lowest participation in post secondary training and education programs, and the highest likelihood of remaining dependent on public assistance programs following high school. By encouraging youth with disabilities to take an active role in planning and pursuing career goals, they can become positive, contributing members of our society. YLF is the ideal program to motivate youth with disabilities to overcome their own barriers and help address those of others in their communities.

YLF participants, who must demonstrate leadership potential to be accepted into the forum, learn from each other and from mentors/adults with disabilities how to make a successful transition from school to work. Then they take their expanded knowledge into their communities to help educate others who may not have the skills to advocate for themselves.

To answer the question, the results speak for themselves. Many YLF alumni have graduated from colleges and universities, have successful professional careers, become leaders in their schools and communities, and lead independent lives.

How Does the Forum Happen?

Approximately 60 high school students are selected to attend through a competitive process. The event successfully integrates students who represent the disability and ethnic diversity of our State. The forum is held annually, during the end of July, in the State Capitol, Sacramento, and at California State University, Sacramento.

How Much Does the Forum Cost?

There is no charge for the student delegates to attend the forum. The cost is approximately $1,500 per student, not including thousands of dollars for services and goods provided in-kind by volunteer supporters. The majority of costs are covered by private and corporate donations. Major State partners include the Employment Development Department, Department of Rehabilitation, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, Department of Education, the State Independent Living Council, the California Workforce Investment Board, and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

For comments and questions or to become more involved, contact:

California Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities
P.O. Box 826880, MIC 21
Sacramento, CA 94820-0001

Voice: (916) 654-8055
Toll Free: (800) 695-0350
TTY: (916) 654-9820
Fax: (916) 654-9821