The Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL) held an outreach event earlier this month for high school students with disabilities and their parents in preparation for the 2024 Dayton Youth Leadership Forum (YLF).
The 2024 Dayton YLF is one of six in-person, week-long, trainings geared toward high school age youth with disabilities statewide. Each forum is sponsored by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) and hosted by a Center for Independent Living during the summer. ACIL has hosted Dayton’s YLF since it was initially offered.
“ACIL has hosted YLF since 2020 and is proud to do so again this year. The theme this year is ‘students today, leaders tomorrow’ because we want students to realize that if they get on the right path and learn the proper skills, they are capable of becoming one of Ohio’s future leaders as well as accomplishing any other goal that they may have,” said Tonya Banther YLF Site Coordinator at ACIL.
ACIL’s outreach event entitled, “You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers,” was held via Zoom on May 6th from 6:30pm to 7:30pm to give youth with disabilities, parents, guardians, teachers, rehabilitation councils, and anyone else with an interest in YLF an opportunity to hear about what is planned for this year and ask ACIL Staff any questions they had.
“Students and parents are sometimes hesitant to get involved in YLF because they don’t understand what it is, so we figured if we hosted a virtual event in the evening, it would give ACIL staff an opportunity to easily explain our plans for YLF and address the concerns of community members,” said Tonya.
ACIL staff revealed during the outreach event that speakers like Former Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2023 and Jeffrey J. Mims, Mayor of Dayton will educate students on everything from the challenges of living out in the community to what it takes to be a good leader.
“We also have someone from the Social Security Administration coming to speak about benefits and someone from Wright State University coming to speak about and demonstrate different types of assistive technology. We also have a couple of our staff who are going to speak about disability rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act to commemorate the 34th anniversary of its signing so students are being educating on a variety of topics while learning what it takes to be a good leader,” said Tonya.
Students will also have a chance to participate in a variety of activities such as creating vision boards depicting what they think leadership is and developing a plan that lays out their future goals.
During the outreach events ACIL Staff addressed questions regarding the length of the forum, transportation, and accommodations provided.
Dayton YLF will take place July 22nd-26th in the Suzy Bassani Theater of the Dayton Public Library. A variety of speakers and activities are scheduled each day from 11am to 4pm. Lunch will be catered by the cafe in the library each day. While students and their families must figure out transportation to and from YLF each day, services will be provided to handle any accommodations students may need during the forum. For example, if a student needs the help of a Personal Care Assistant to use the restroom or an interpreter to understand speakers, those services will be provided during YLF. Students and their families should know that accommodations will only be provided if requested during the application process.
“We do our best to make Dayton YLF as stress free as possible. Breaks are built into the schedule throughout each day and we let students know that they can take additional breaks if needed. We do several ice breakers throughout the week to help students become comfortable. We don’t pressure them to do anything they feel uncomfortable doing. We allow them to provide their opinions and feedback as long as they are respectful to everyone involved,” said Tonya.
In the past, the opportunity to participate in a YLF was offered exclusively to high school juniors and seniors with disabilities receiving services through OOD. As of this year, all high school students with disabilities with a counselor through OOD can participate in YLF. Students must apply and go through an interview process to ensure that any needs they have can be accommodated before being accepted into a YLF. Applications for the 2024 Dayton YLF will be accepted until July 8th.
If you have questions about the 2024 Dayton YLF or would like the application materials to be sent to you, contact Tonya at 937-341-5202 Ext 108 or [email protected]
