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YEA E-Newsletter: for all youth with disabilities in Kansas!

December 22, 2006 



KYEA NEWS
 


Deadline extended for YLF delegate applications

The deadline to turn in delegate applications for the 2007 YLF has been extended! The new due date is January 15, 2007. We have extended the deadline in hopes of receiving more applications. So, if you know of youth who have not yet applied, but would benefit from this program, please encourage them to fill out an application! For more information about YLF, please visit our YLF website at www.ksylf.org. 


YLF now searching for 2007 volunteers!

Calling all former and potentially new volunteers! YLF is now accepting applications for volunteers for our 2007 Youth Leadership Forum. We are searching for committed, enthusiastic people who are willing to devote a week to this great program. Do you have the skills and passion to facilitate groups and motivate youth with disabilities? Then consider serving as a volunteer at our upcoming YLF to be held next June. The goal of all facilitators is to empower and support each delegate as they discover inner strengths and abilities as individuals and as members of a group. Volunteers are assigned to work with a small group throughout the week. They also interact with the large group during many activities. Volunteers must stay on campus for the duration of the week that YLF is taking place. Past volunteers, YLF alumni, and new volunteers are encouraged to apply! Volunteer applicants must fill out our application form, as well as two background checks, and send to the KYEA office by February 2, 2007 (see attached forms). Applicants will be interviewed by phone and KYEA staff will review applications, select volunteers, and notify all applicants by April 2007.
Note to alumni: We have new requirements for alumni volunteers. Alumni applicants must complete 10 hours of community service before April 30, 2007 to be considered for a volunteer position. We feel that this furthers the leadership skills of our alumni and shows initiative and a commitment to the values of the KSYLF.
 All volunteer information is attached to this email. For further information on YLF, visit our website at http://www.ksylf.org/. 


Nominate an Outstanding Youth Leader of the Year

Each year, the KS Youth Leadership Forum selects an Outstanding Youth Leader of the Year. This award recognizes leadership skills in youth with disabilities and is given out to an alumni of the KSYLF. The following are requirements to receive this award (each nominee must meet one or more of these requirements): 
• Be a KS YLF Alumni from the years of 2001-2005. (required)
• Have demonstrated leadership skills and accomplishments.
• Be in the process of completing and/or have completed the KS YLF Personal Leadership Plan.
• Have used community resources to pursue leadership goals.
• Be willing to participate in post YLF organizations/activities.
 
Alumni can either nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. Nominations are due by April 1, 2007. One winner will be chosen and notified by May 1, 2007. The winner receives many benefits including a scholarship to the 2007 Kansas Disability Caucus, a plaque, recognition at the 2007 YLF Mentor Luncheon, and more! To nominate someone, see the attached flyer. 


KYEA checking in with YLF Alumni

To all of our YLF alumni- do you remember your Personal Leadership Plan (PLP)? Have you accomplished the goals on your Plan? KYEA staff are checking in with all YLF alumni to get an update on the Personal Leadership Plans that have been written each year. We want to know if you have accomplished your goals. We also want to help you reach any new goals that you have. All alumni have received a survey to fill out about the Personal Leadership Plan. If you fill this out and send it back to us by January 30, 2007, you can be entered to win a $20 Target gift certificate. The survey is also attached to this email. If you would like to chat with us about your PLP, please contact Julia at 866.577.5932 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . 


Good news for the month!

  • One of our very own YLF volunteers is a new daddy! Brian Ramsey, YLF Volunteer 02-04, and his wife, Amanda, are the proud parents of a baby boy. Clayton Alex was born on November 10, weighing 6 lbs 10 oz. Congrats to Brian and Amanda!
 
  • A 2006 YLF Volunteer recently received a large scholarship to Wichita State University. Casey Cantrell was awarded the Gore Scholarship, which is the largest scholarship given out in the state of Kansas. A big congrats to Casey on her accomplishment!

 Do you have some good news that you would like to share? Please send it to Carrie at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .  



LOCAL NEWS
 


Kansas
Rehabilitation Services working to get input from community

Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) is currently holding stakeholder meetings in various cities throughout Kansas to get input on their services, including vocational rehabilitation (VR). Stakeholder meetings are forums where community members can come together and openly share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns about certain issues. In November KRS Director Michael Donnelly kicked off an 18-city tour of the State designed to gather input on several issues, including:

  • The employment-related needs of Kansans with disabilities.
  • The performance of KRS, the state's vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency.
  • Opportunities for improvement in services and collaborative efforts.

 If you have had any kind of experience with vocational rehabilitation, we encourage you to go to one of these meetings and share your thoughts and stories. KRS is specifically looking to hear from youth with disabilities in the state. So, take this opportunity, once again, to let your voice be heard. To view a full list of dates and locations for these meetings, please visit our website Latest News page. If you would like more information or further explanation, feel free to call the KYEA office at 866.577.5932. 


YOU can have an impact on the SILCK State Plan!

A KYEA representative, as well as a representative of the Statewide Independent Living Council, will be coming to the Hays and Topeka area in the next year. Come and share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about the future of youth with disabilities in Kansas. Julia Fonseca, KYEA Director of Programs, will be joining Shannon Jones from SILCK to conduct a public hearing on the State Plan for the years 2008-2010. Event details for these two area events are below: 
Hays Public Hearing on State Plan for People with Disabilities
Friday, February 16, 2007
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Holiday Inn, Hickok Room 'A', 3603 Vine Street
 

Topeka
Public Hearing on State Plan for People with Disabilities
Friday, April 13, 2007
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM & 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Topeka Capitol Plaza, Emerald Rm 4, 1717 Topeka Blvd.
 

The State Plan is a written road map of where the disability community in Kansas will be headed in the next few years. Topics for discussion may include objectives for the next three years, outreach to underserved populations and minority groups, overview of independent living services, and information about centers for independent living. We feel that the youth voice should be a large part of this State Plan. Come and help us guarantee that youth with disabilities in our state are included in this plan! The hearing is open to the public and will be held in an accessible location. Materials will be available in alternate formats. For more information, contact Julia at 866.577.5932 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .  



NATIONAL NEWS
 

Resource directory for scientists, engineers, and mathematicians
Are you a scientist, engineer, IT professional, or mathematician with a sensory, mobility, learning, or other disability? American Association for the Advancement of Science invites you to participate in the Resource Directory of Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities. This Directory is used by the National Science Foundation, Government agencies, universities, newspapers, and individuals to recruit advisors, speakers, mentors, and peer-reviewers. Find out how to participate by going to http://ehrweb.aaas.org/resource or email Tesa Leon at 
 This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
 .
 

Resource directory for artists

VSA Arts currently maintains a directory of visual, performing, and literary artists with disabilities. Membership in the Registry is free and members receive VSA Arts newsletters, calls for art, and regular postings through e-mail. Organizations seeking to book an artist for a performance or showing can search the directory. For more information, to be included in the directory, or to book an artist, visit the Artists Registry at www.vsarts.org. 


Youth Slam for teens with visual impairments

The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute will host an event for youth who are blind or visually impaired to expose them to career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. The NFB Youth Slam will also offer a variety of fun, challenging, inspiring activities designed to shatter any limiting misconceptions the students might have had about their own abilities. Youth Slam will be held in Baltimore, Maryland from July 30 – August 4, 2007. Applications due April 1, 2007. For more information, please visit www.blindscience.org/ncbys/Youth_Slam.asp?SnID=31542471.  



SCHOLARSHIPS AND INTERNSHIPS
 


Needed: Student intern for disabilities research

Do you have an interest in disability in the medical field? Then this is the perfect internship for you! The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) Foundation is looking for a graduate student, medical student, or experienced undergraduate student to work on a paper related to disabilities research. The internship is from approximately January 2 to February 9 with slight flexibility in start and end dates. Working in conjunction with AMSA’s staff at the national office in Reston, VA, the intern will research disabilities education, especially in the medical field, and will write a professional paper/proposal on the topic. The qualifications for this position are listed below: 

o        Experience in literature review and research
o       
Experience and excellent skills in writing
o       
Understanding of topic area
o       
Understanding of the field of medicine
o       
Computer skills
o       
Mature, professional
o       
Self-starter
o        Must be current and legal resident of the United States  

This position is unpaid, but free, local housing is provided if needed. To apply for the position, please send your resume and short writing sample to Shadia Garrison, AMSA Foundation, 1902 Association Drive, Reston VA 20191 or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . No faxes please. 


Exciting internship at NASA Space Flight Center

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is currently offering a number of internships. The application process began on November 1 and will conclude on January 16, 2007. Applicants may apply to a number of different programs. The program descriptions are listed on the website and interested applicants should make their selection based on personal talents, qualifications, and interests. There is even a program specifically geared towards students with disabilities called ACCESS! For more information, contact Laureen Summers at 202-326-6649 or by email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . To apply online, visit http://university.gsfc.nasa.gov/application. 


Scholarship for seniors with learning disabilities

The National Center for Learning Disabilities annually awards the Ann Ford Scholarship, of $10,000, to an outstanding high school senior with a learning disability who is committed to completing a college degree. Submission date is December 30, 2006. To obtain an application, please visit www.ncld.org. 


Achievement award for high school students with learning disabilities

Nominations are now open for the fourth annual Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities Youth Achievement Award. This year’s $1,000 award, recognizing the great strengths of young people with LD and/or ADHD, will be given to a high school (or younger) student who has demonstrated initiative, talent, and determination resulting in a notable accomplishment in any field—including art, music, science, math, athletics, or community service. Honorable Mentions will also be awarded. To find out more about this award, or make a nomination, visit http://www.smartkidswithld.org/.  


Opportunity to work and learn in Washington, DC

Now in its 31st year, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an educational nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the U.S. and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C. for academic credit. The Washington Center provides diverse, highly motivated interns to thousands of organizations in government, business and the non-profit sector. The Center helps with placement and some interns prove to be of longer-term interest as prospective employees. This is a fully inclusive program and even offers accessible housing to students with disabilities. For further information, please call The Washington Center toll free at 800-486-8921 or email the Center at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .  


Science internship for college students with disabilities

ENTRY POINT!, a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, offers internship opportunities for college students with disabilities in Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, and some fields of Business. AAAS has developed unique partnerships with IBM, NASA, Merck, NOAA, Google, Lockheed Martin and university science laboratories to meet their human resources needs. AAAS identifies and screens undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing degrees in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business, and places them in paid summer internships. The ENTRY POINT! program includes opportunities in private industry and government agencies. Students with disabilities can apply their skills in a real-world setting in competitive summer internships. To learn more about the program, visit http://ehrweb.aaas.org/entrypoint/. 


Internship opportunities for Emerging Leaders

Emerging Leaders is a highly competitive program that places college students with disabilities in fulfilling summer internships and provides them with leadership development opportunities. Emerging Leaders partners with businesses to help them find outstanding young talent, while also considering diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices. Student applicants are matched with businesses through a careful screening process that helps ensure that the internship placement is a good fit for all involved. Internships are located in several geographic locations, with a wide range of companies. For more information, visit the Emerging Leaders website at www.emerging-leaders.com. 


Program aims to provide work experience to college students with disabilities

The Workforce Recruitment Program is a summer work program for college students with disabilities. Students are interviewed by federal agency staff at their colleges during late January through most of February. Hiring is done directly by federal offices throughout the country. White the majority of positions offered are for the summer, and with federal agencies, students in this database may be recruited for full time positions by either the federal government or the private sector. For additional information, visit www.dol.gov/odep/programs/workforc.htm.  



RESOURCES
 


Organization focuses on sports and recreation for people with disabilities

Disabled Sports USA offers sports and recreation opportunities to people with disabilities at 85 chapters throughout the United States. This includes the “Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project,” a program for the service men and women injured in recent conflicts overseas. DS/USA now offers nationwide sports rehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanent disability. Activities include winter skiing, water sports, summer and winter competitions, fitness and special sports events. For more information, a chapter listing, and calendar of events visit www.disabledsportsusa.org. 

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We hope you all have a joyful holiday season!
Make the New Year bring great things for all of you!
~ Happy Holidays from the KYEA staff ~