Advocacy Opportunities
There are many opportunities for you to advocate for your certain disability whether it be in your daily activities or through public advocacy.
Teenagers with Type 1 Diabetes can be selected to advocate on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in Washington, D.C. Applications are open September through November. Teens can also sign up to be youth advocates for JDRF.
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The Tourette Association of America (TAA) has a Junior Youth Ambassador Program for kids ages 7-11, a Youth Ambassador Program for ages 12-17 (where teenagers can become advocates in Washington, D.C.) and a Rising Leaders Program (ages 18-25).
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The Epilepsy Foundation has an advocacy program for teenagers (ages 13-18) as well.
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Several opportunities also exist for students with developmental disabilities. Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, and South Carolina have a program with the Center on Youth Voice via the Youth Choice program (partnering with the Indiana Disability Rights and Self-Advocates of Indiana, etc.).
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