Youth Resources
These selected youth resources have been developed by Project Launch’s partner Parent Training and Information (PTI) centers under contract with PACER Center.
Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) YEP project
“When you believe in yourself, it’s easier to speak up for what you need.” — Michael
Youth Empowerment Project (YEP). Learning to advocate for yourself involves understanding your own needs and actively expressing them to ensure they are met. It is a skill that requires practice and development. The following are short video examples created by a high school student, Michael, and our PTI partner Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) YEP project. The location of the interviews was at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. The university has a program for high school students with disabilities to take classes for credit.
YEP! featuring Michael
Michael is a high school graduate in Northeast Ohio, who is preparing to attend community college in the fall of 2023. Quick wit and humor are integral to his approach to life. He has been engaged in several alternative learning environments since 4th grade. He has found support and empowerment with the help of OCECD throughout the last seven years. Michael has been influenced by hearing the stories of others and realizing that sharing his journey has provided him an opportunity to grow emotionally and mentally while bringing hope to other families in similar situations.
YEP! Featuring Michael and Kristina
Michael talks with Kristina about Self Advocacy and Empowerment. Kristina is currently a homeschooled student in her senior year. When she’s not in the classroom, she enjoys singing, drawing, acting, playing instruments, making clay sculptures, exploring the sciences, and playing board and video games with close friends. After graduation, she aspires to attend college with a major in biology.
YEP! featuring Michael and Nick
In this enlightening video, Michael engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Nick on the topics of self-advocacy and empowerment. Join these insightful young minds as they delve into the significance of self-advocacy, exploring its role in personal growth and achieving goals. Discover how empowerment resonates with them, as they share their unique perspectives on what it truly means to be empowered in today's world.
YEP! featuring Michael and Sam
Michael talks with Sam about Self Advocacy and Empowerment. Sam is a sophomore in high school. He attends all regular high school classes with extra support from a personal tutor. He enjoys working out, playing piano, drums, and playing video games. Sam likes to be active by playing basketball, pickleball, swimming, biking, or anything outdoors. He also loves eating at restaurants, traveling and hanging out with his grandparents and friends. Learning new things is hard for me, but I start each day with a positive attitude, trying my best!
YEP! featuring Michael and Roz
In this enlightening video, Michael engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Roz on the topics of self-advocacy and empowerment. Join these insightful young minds as they delve into the significance of self-advocacy, exploring its role in personal growth and achieving goals. Discover how empowerment resonates with them, as they share their unique perspectives on what it truly means to be empowered in today's world.
YEP! featuring Michael and Kya
Michael talks with Kya about Self Advocacy and Empowerment.
Kya has a passion for educating others on disability awareness and diversity acceptance. She does so by creating videos on her own YouTube channel entitled “Wheels & Wisdom” which helps to break the stigmas and misinformation about individuals with disabilities. Kya is also involved in Kya’s Krusade which is a resource center that specializes in serving families affected by Arthrogryposis and other less-publicized physical disabilities.
YEP! featuring Michael and Connor
In this enlightening video, Michael engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Connor on the topics of self-advocacy and empowerment. Join these insightful young minds as they delve into the significance of self-advocacy, exploring its role in personal growth and achieving goals. Discover how empowerment resonates with them, as they share their unique perspectives on what it truly means to be empowered in today's world.
YEP! featuring Michael and Rachel
In this enlightening video, Michael engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Rachel on the topics of self-advocacy and empowerment. Join these insightful young minds as they delve into the significance of self-advocacy, exploring its role in personal growth and achieving goals. Discover how empowerment resonates with them, as they share their unique perspectives on what it truly means to be empowered in today's world.