Perhaps the best way to ensure that young people make smart choices and practice healthy behaviors is to empower them…to give them choices and the chance to say what they want and need.  Advocacy empowers young people when those they speak to, listen.  This happens on different levels, from a bullied child confiding in a parent, to standing in front of legislators to tell of abusive restraint at a residential facility.  If listening, a parent can help support their child’s safety; legislators can provide protection through law creation and enforcement. 

     “Nothing about us, without us!”  A phrase used throughout civil rights history, now drives the youth movement.  Youth groups and networks continue to sprout across the country and provide young people with a voice in local, state, and national systems that historically have decided what services youth need. 

     In New York State, YOUTH POWER! is a cross-system network that advocates for youth voice and youth choice.  Through forums, rallies, conferences, and networking, YOUTH POWER! provides a forum for young people to speak out on topics such as disability, juvenile justice and education, on issues such as restraint and seclusion and fair and appropriate education.  YOUTH POWER! is governed by a Youth Advisory Board and guided by its membership of youth from across the state.

     On a larger scale, the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) is an organization led by youth with disabilities to provide information, resources, peer support and advocacy to young people with disabilities across the country.  Not only does the NYLN provide these valuable services, they partner with and provide funding to state partners, such as YOUTH POWER!, to ensure that empowerment and advocacy reaches youth on a more local level.  Currently, the NYLN is developing a peer support and determination curriculum called “Reap What You Sow” that will be distributed nation-wide to youth groups, independent living centers, and other networks. 

     On a local level, Access to Independence (ATI) has launched its Youth in Power group, which meets at the Cortland City Youth Bureau Teen Center on the last Wednesday of every month, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm.  Youth in Power aims to provide youth with a safe place to discuss disability, to network with peers, and to learn how they might be able to make a difference in our community.   Access to Independence and Youth in Power are connected to YOUTH POWER! and the NYLN and will bring new learning and growth opportunities to Cortland area youth. 

Aaron Baier is the youth transition/work readiness coordinator at Access to Independence.