Students with disabilities invited to apply for youth leadership forum - March 9, 2006

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Media contact: Debbie Himes, 360-438-3246

OLYMPIA – Up to 45 high-school juniors and seniors with disabilities will be selected to participate in a special youth leadership forum this summer in Olympia.

Applications are now being accepted through May 15 to attend in the Seventh Annual Youth Leadership Forum for High School Students with Disabilities.  All expenses will be paid for the students who are selected to attend.  

The event will be held on Aug. 6 through 11 at The Evergreen State College.  It is being hosted by the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE).

The annual forum brings together students with diverse disabilities.  They will be introduced to adults with disabilities who have been successful in their careers and leaders in their communities.  

In addition, it will be the first time that many of the students will experience college life.  They will learn about the history of the disability movement that resulted in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other powerful disability legislation.

The application deadline is May 15.  The application is available in alternate formats.  Although the forum is geared toward high-school juniors and seniors, some exceptions may be made for sophomores with strong leadership abilities.

For more information or to receive an application package, please contact Debbie Himes at (360) 438-3246 or 438-3167 TTY; or by e-mail at dhimes2@esd.wa.gov; or by mail at GCDE, P.O. Box 9046, Olympia, Wash., 98507-9046.

Sponsors of the event include the Employment Security Department, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (within the Department of Social & Health Services), the Developmental Disabilities Council and others.