Special Education Youth Advisory Council

The purpose of the Special Education Youth Advisory Council is to:

1. Create a structure in which students with disabilities (middle and high school) can share their special education experiences and increase their capacity to make informed decisions regarding their educational programming
2. Increase public awareness of the valuable role that student voice and increased student independence, can play in the lives of students, families, and communities
3. Inform the Special Education Division Director on issues that are important to students receiving special education services

This Special Education Youth Advisory Council is designed to reach students who may not typically have an opportunity to share their voice. We look forward to working with district/school-based partners to ensure that the group represents diverse student perspectives.

• Participate in a listening circle for students to share their school experience (October-January)
• Receive two to three student leadership trainings (November-June)
• Attend the Annual End of Year Student Celebration (April)
• Participate in a College Tour (Optional)

• Students have shared that, by participating in the Council, they feel more confident and more comfortable advocating for themselves
• Students have said that they decided to continue participating because they felt it allowed them to connect with other students and gave them a voice
• One student shared that, after attending the youth symposium, "I will be speaking up for those with disabilities who may not have a voice or is afraid to speak up. I want to serve as a voice for all students"
• Students have participated as panel members during a PPT Leadership Institute series, sharing their perspective on the PPT process and how to improve it
• In the past, students have provided feedback and suggestions for the IEP document revisions
• Alumni from the Council, are working with current MS/HS students to share their experiences after graduating
• Students on the council this year will be teaching other students self-advocacy skills and how to lead their PPT meetings
• Upperclassman are mentoring younger students around self-advocacy and how to be successful in school