The National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN), a youth-driven organization of youth and emerging leaders with diverse disabilities , has established the first youth-led National Youth Information Center (NYIC). The NYIC is using evidence-based approaches for youth-directed leadership development to increase the education, employment, independent living, health, and disability awareness and pride of the next generation of youth and emerging leaders with developmental disabilities, including young people with cognitive disabilities. The NYIC serves as a national hub for information exchange, mentorship and empowerment that will energize youth and emerging leaders to fully participate in society and to become leaders. Major NYIC activities include:

Training experiences designed and conducted by young people during an annual national leadership conference, quarterly topical teleconferences, and local, state and national presentations and consultation experiences;

Establishment of regional and state networks that knit together youth leaders, adult self-advocacy and leadership groups, and other family and community organizations to promote youth empowerment;

Ongoing information and referrals for youth, parents and service providers through the interconnected local, state and national networks of youth leaders and by way of personal, telephone and Internet linkages;

Youth-friendly resource links such as a website that provides a hub for information sharing, organizing activities, peer support and mentorship, using people first language that emphasizes NYLN's priority of Access for All;

Accessible materials available through a clearinghouse for youth with diverse disabilities from diverse cultures wanting to build successful adult lives and fully participate in their communities;

Mentorship experiences for emerging youth leaders to advance their personal development and prepare them to assume active roles in their communities.

NYLN's design of the NYIC is led by a Governing Board wholly devised of young leaders with disabilities from across the United States and its territories, while serving as a national centerpiece for youth-to-youth information, education and mentorship, as well as supporting and linking local, state, national and international youth leadership activities. Specific emphasis is placed on including youth with developmental disabilities as participants, key staff members and consultants. The National Youth Leadership Network is supported to develop the NYIC by the National Center for Self-Determination and 21 st Century Leadership at Portland State University. Methods for successfully establishing the YIC and the outcomes achieved will be carefully evaluated, documented and widely disseminated.

Concluded Project - end date 9/30/07

National Youth Leadership Network, National Youth Information Center

National Youth Leadership Network,
National Youth Information Center