Introducing Our Youth Advisory Board 

 By Maddie Evans, Youth Engagement Coordinator

The Federation’s first-ever Youth Advisory Board (YAB) has just gotten underway! 

This new group of board members and adult allies have started working together to lend their voices to the Federation’s disability advocacy work. The YAB is also designed to give young people a voice in decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities.

The Board met for the first time in late August, and the energy in the meeting was infectious. We discussed the history of the Federation & disability rights, shared upcoming opportunities for members, and each board member and adult ally shared a goal they had for the future of the Board. 

Every person involved has so much to bring to the table and we are excited to see what they will do! Our Youth Advisory Board members have all sorts of different talents, like podcasting, video editing, public speaking, community outreach, and a deep knowledge of disability history. With so many talents and interests in the same group, the Board aims to give members a space to combine their skills and put them to use toward a larger goal. 

As the Advisory Board shapes their own goals, we are creating space for five primary purposes that we hope the Board will fulfill: 

• Representation: Ensuring that the perspectives and needs of youth are represented in discussions and decisions. 

• Feedback: Providing feedback on policies, programs, and initiatives to ensure they are relevant and effective for younger populations. 

• Engagement: Encouraging active participation and engagement of young people in civic and community activities. 

• Leadership Development: Offering opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills and gain experience in governance and advocacy. 

• Innovation: Bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives to the table that might not be considered by other advisory bodies. 

The Board will benefit everyone; members will get to develop their leadership skills and unique talents and build community amongst each other.  The Federation will hear new, diverse perspectives from youth who can help tailor our work to the people we serve. The community will be educated and empowered by these young people who are willing to share their voices, and we can work together to advocate for change. 

The Board is just getting started, but some future opportunities for members include helping with our 50th anniversary Gala, providing information and tips on voting as a young person with a disability, paneling and presenting at various upcoming conferences, promoting MRC’s NextGen Careers program, discussing their own journeys with employment, education, independence, and much more. 

We are thrilled to be working with such a talented group of youth and young adults. Keep an eye out for great things to come!