Kentucky SILC Youth Programs
Youth Advisory Council
Inclusion Includes Us
Youth Advisory Council
Our Mission
To empower youth with disabilities to embrace their identities, advocate for their rights, and lead with pride. YAC aims to create a supportive environment that connects them with education, resources, peers, and leadership opportunities.
About
What is the Youth Advisory Council?
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) helps young people with disabilities feel confident, stand up for their rights, and become strong leaders. YAC provides a supportive space where they can learn, find resources, connect with others, and grow as leaders.
Meeting Schedule: The YAC meets the first and third Thursdays of each month from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Eastern Time.
What YAC Offers
As a YAC member, you will have access to:
- Leadership development and advocacy training
- Connections with peers who share similar experiences
- Educational resources about disability rights and independent living
- Opportunities to participate in community events and outreach
- A supportive environment to develop your voice and identity
- Networking with disability advocates across Kentucky
Who Can Join?
YAC is open to disabled youth ages 14-24 who live in Kentucky. We welcome young people with all types of disabilities and from all backgrounds. Whether you are new to advocacy or already active in your community, YAC has a place for you.
YAC Programs
Let’s Make MOVEs!
The Kentucky Statewide Independent Living Council (KY SILC) is currently seeking to appoint and recruit new members to MOVE (Mentors and Organizers for Voice and Empowerment)!
If you’re passionate about molding tomorrow’s leaders, now is the time to get involved! MOVE will be made up of no more than 10 individuals from various backgrounds, who will come together to assist Youth Advisory Council (YAC) staff in carrying out our goals and mission. Ideal candidates will have lived experience and/or close ties to the disability community.
Tasks of MOVE include, but are not limited to:
- Community Engagement
- Resource Development
- Financial Planning and Stewardship
- Mentoring of YAC Members
- Outreach Assistance
- Conference Planning
Interested in Joining MOVE?
Please email to follow up with interest:
- Ashley Layne: ashley@kysilc.org
- Rachel Victory: rachel@kysilc.org
Resources
YAC members and community members have created resources to help young people with disabilities navigate advocacy and independent living.
My Advocating Checklist
This helpful resource was created by YAC member Layla Frazier. The checklist helps you think about what advocating means and what you already know about standing up for yourself and others.
What is advocating? Advocating is standing up for yourself, or others when you see or hear something that is wrong.
Questions to Ask Yourself
For each question, think about whether your answer is Yes, No, or Unsure:
- Do I know I can ask for help if I don’t understand something?
- Do I know how to stand up for myself if someone does something I do not like?
- Do I know how to tell a trusted adult or friend if someone is being mean to one of my friends or breaking a rule?
- Do I know that I should be treated the same as everyone else?
Now I Know…
- I CAN ask for help.
- I CAN stand up for myself and others.
- There ARE trusted people to help me.
- I am NOT alone.
- I SHOULD be treated with respect.
Download the printable Advocacy Checklist (PDF, 2 pages) – Created by Layla Frazier, YAC Member
Need this resource in a different format? Contact us and we will help.
Additional Resources
GET INVOLVED
Join YAC Today
Ready to connect with other young advocates and make your voice heard? Join the Youth Advisory Council and become part of a community that supports your growth and leadership.
Applications are open to disabled youth ages 14-24 who live in Kentucky.
Contact YAC Staff
Have questions about YAC? Contact our Youth Coordinator:
Haley Yetter
Youth Coordinator
Kentucky SILC
Funding Acknowledgment
The Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,195,270 with 84 percent funded by ACL/HHS and $192,300 and 16 percent funded by non-federal-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.