Youth as Self Advocates (YASA) is a national advisory board of teen and young adult leaders with disabilities who represent diverse races and cultures, have different disabilities and health care needs, and come from different regions of the country.
Our mission is to educate society about issues concerning us.
We are leaders in our communities and we help spread helpful, positive information among our peers to increase knowledge around various issues concerning us. We also help health care professionals, policymakers and other adults in our communities understand what it is like to live our lives. We share our personal stories to help improve services and supports for ourselves and other youth.
About YASA
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Resources by Youth for Youth
We embrace the slogan, “nothing about us without us”, a centuries-old saying that states no policy should be created without the full and direct participation of those it affects.
We share our voices at national, state and local events and participate on numerous committees and boards in our hometowns.
YASA Speakers Bureau
Selecting a speaker is hard work. Especially when you are looking for experienced youth to take part in an event. YASA is ready and eager to offer the voices of its expert members. YASA members are available to speak individually or as a group sharing their experiences growing up and living with a disability and/or special health care need. Our members have a range of experiences and can speak to the following subjects:
- Youth Rights
- Dating & Relationships
- Boundaries & Social Interaction
- Workplace Relationships
- Impact of Covid-19 on Youth
- Mental Health
- IEP Rights
- School Advocacy
- Acceptance of a Disability
- Telehealth
- Self-Advocacy
- Bullying
If you would like a YASA member to speak at your meeting or event, please send your request to: matthew@familyvoices.org
Encourage confidence to act