|
Advance Youth Leadership Power (AYLP)
AYLP is an
advocacy group of young people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 30. It meets weekly at
Access Living on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 pm.
AYLP members are
generally youth who have received leadership training at Access Living and understand the basics of grassroots
organizing. They use grassroots organizing techniques to press for social change.
Most recently,
AYLP led a youth legistive rally and visiting day in Springfield in October 2009 to talk with legislators
about the state budget and their concerns. AYLP also traveled to Alton, Illinois and Springfield,
Illinois to present to youth with disabilities on how to create a youth with disabilities advocacy
group. They created their own handbook on starting a group called "Living the Power." Get a copy
by contacting Adam at the number below.
AYLP has also
presented on leadership to students in the Chicago Public Schools and continues to ally with ADAPT in fighting
for community choice for all people with disabilities. Recently, an AYLP graduate, Vincent
Smith, was named to the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. Another graduate, Christine
Wilk, was named Ms. Wheelchair Illinois, and a third, Damian Ellis, received the inaugural Access
Living Annie Hopkins Youth Disability Advocacy Award.
AYLP is most well
known for their 2006 campaign to revoke a massive budget cut in special education teachers and aides in
Chicago. As a result, AYLP won the first ever Kick Ass Advocacy Award from Access Living, presented by
the founder of Access Living's Youth and Education Team, Sarah Triano.
For more information about AYLP, to get involved, or to request a speaker, please
contact:
Adam Ballard, (312) 640-2195 or aballard@accessliving.org.
***
Copyright © 2009
Access Living Youth Center
All Rights Reserved
|
