A pathway for young, disabled leaders

VICTORIA’S Youth Disability Advocacy Service’s Young Leaders Program is once again taking applications.

The program is open to disabled young people aged 14 to 25 and offers the chance to become part of a new generation of leaders in the community.

“The applications are open throughout the year but shut a month before each of the four rounds of workshops,” program facilitator Kelsey McGowan said.

“The program was created because the research shows that there aren’t enough people with disabilities in leadership positions and that young people with disabilities are less likely to finish year 12, go onto tertiary education, get employed or progress in their careers.

“We developed a leadership program to enable and empower young people with the skills and the confidence and the knowledge they need to feel able to do those things.”

Covering topics including self-discovery, communication, teamwork, advocacy and goal setting, the program includes a variety of workshops delivered in a unique way to suit the needs of the participants.

“Once the program finishes, they stay with us for another six months and we provide individualised support for these and connect them to specific opportunities that will help them with their goals,” Ms McGowan said.

“The end goal is to get more young people in higher education and employment and leadership positions.”

Although the program is free, each session has a limit on 15 people which calls for an initial application process.

However, Ms McGowan said if you apply and miss out, applicants are more than welcome to apply again and again to make the most of the opportunity.

“We’ve had a lot of young people involved in high level consultation, policy consultations and round table discussions with ministers and government, speaking at conferences, gaining employment even some at YDAS with us,” she said.

“Young people with disability are often seen as though they don’t have the capacity to do the same things as non-disabled people, but they actually have so much extra knowledge and experience because they are disabled.”

For more information or to apply visit, yacvic.org.au/youngleaders.