YLF News
YLF 2001 Highlights
YLF Prepares Students for Leadership, Life
The Able Trust Hosts a Successful Youth Leadership Forum for High School Students with Disabilities
Forty students with disabilities from throughout Florida joined state and community leaders in Tallahassee from July 12 - 15, 2001 to participate in Florida's second annual Youth Leadership Forum (YLF). These students, who represented the state in terms of geography, gender and types of disabilities, were selected to participate in this statewide leadership-training event sponsored by The Able Trust and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. The YLF is a unique initiative to bring high school juniors and seniors with disabilities together to develop their leadership skills for the future.
The four-day forum took place at Southgate Campus Centre, a private dormitory located on Florida State University's campus in Tallahassee. During the event students attended workshops on self-advocacy, career options, community resources and leadership. Students had the opportunity to meet disability leaders, legislators and other professionals, including Lt. Governor Frank Brogan, Comptroller Robert Milligan and Representatives Ron Greenstein (Miami) and Curtis Richardson (Tallahassee).
Students also attended a Mentors Luncheon where they networked with business professionals with disabilities, representing careers in the industries of journalism, education, sports, entertainment, law, politics and social services. Greg Smith, founder and host for disability talk radio's On a Roll, also delivered an inspirational speech.
Other forum activities included a disability sensitivity training and assistive technology demo hosted by Bruce Weaver of the Center for Independent Living, Terry Ward of FAAST and Paul Martell of the Florida Commission on Community Services. The students also took part in an outing to Wakulla Springs where they enjoyed riverboat tours, swimming and an outdoor picnic. A farewell dance gave the delegates a final opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments with new friends.
Additional sponsors for the YLF included the Florida Department of Education, Brain & Spinal Cord Injury Program, SunTrust Bank, Tallahassee Rotary Club, and Holland & Knight Law Firm. Members of The Able Trust's Business Leadership Network, along with local restaurants such as Pepsi, Nabisco, TCBY and Papa John's Pizza, also donated goodie bag items and food and drinks for the event. Additional in-kind supporters included the Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged, Big Bend TransitOption Care, Desloge Oxygen & Medical Supply, WFSU, Liberty Communications and Publix. Many thanks to all our sponsors and supporters!
Sponsors
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Sponsored by United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. |
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