CACTC Community Connections Article

4/26/2011

Too often, youth are not given ample opportunity to decide the course of their own lives or to have a valid voice in the systems that serve them. Able-ism and age-ism are two re-emerging terms that mean discrimination against people based on their abilities and age.

Youth age-ism is based on the assumption that young people are "too young and un-experienced" to make major life choices or choices which affect their environment. Able-ism on the other hand, is based on the assumption that a person’s abilities are defined by their disability or perception of disability.

Able-ism is shown, for example, when a student with a disability is placed in a slower moving, "remedial" track during high school. The stigma of disability can be a big barrier to the success of students. That same student, with a note-taker and testing accommodations, may do better in regular classes. Perhaps a youth who is blind or deaf is kept at home for fear of them being in danger, rather than allowing that youth some freedom to test and build their abilities to be independent.

Challenging young people, while considering their need for supports, will lead to lower drop-out rates, higher post-secondary education enrollment, better employability after transition out of high school, and greater independence as an adult.

Age-ism can be shown, for example, when a young person wants to have a say in their school’s budget. The student believes that a program is worth saving rather than cutting. However, because students are not of voting age, the student doesn’t have direct say in the budget; and because the student is young their parents, teachers and administrators believe "they know best" and dismiss the student’s opinions.

Some schools offer students a say in budget planning resulting in a greater commitment from those students involved. In the same vein, events that directly and actively involve youth in there planning, like a junior prom, will create a more inclusive event that is more attractive to potential attendees. Giving youth the opportunity to plan their education or facilitate a program empowers them to make positive choices and to develop leadership skills vital to their success as an adult.

While Cortland County offers a variety of services for its youth, the 900+ disadvantaged youth and youth with disabilities remain underserved. Fortunately, the Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) Coalition provides a forum for a number of key community organizations to work earnestly to close these gaps in services. This is essential in order to ensure that those youth avoid risks that lead to problem behaviors, including substance abuse, delinquency, teen pregnancy, school drop-out and violence. Access to Independence of Cortland County, Inc. is a proud supporter and contributor to the CACTC Coalition.

Over the past three years, Access to Independence has undertaken a dedicated effort to better understand youth and their transition needs and has established a solid set of services for youth and young adults to grow and become more self-determined.

In that capacity, Access to Independence offers these services through inclusive transition workshops, educational and systems advocacy, individual peer counseling, and connections to exciting opportunities for emerging leaders to the nearly 1,000 youth in Cortland County that have special needs.

Access to Independence encourages youth to become involved with activities and organizations that allow them to have a voice in their operations. As the slogan goes: "Nothing About Us, Without Us!" For more information on Access to Independence’s Youth Transition Services, please contact Aaron T. Baier by phone at: 607-753-7363 or by email at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .