By Angela West
I am excited to be the Chair of the NCIL Youth Caucus. My first experience with NCIL was when I was awarded a sponsorship to attend the NCIL Conference in 2013. I have been an active member of my local CIL where the staff nominated me for the scholarship. While I was at the conference, I was extremely energized by being around so many advocates from around the country. In 2014, I was awarded another sponsorship to attend the 2014 NCIL Conference. While I was at the conference, I met Allie Cannington, NCIL’s Youth Fellow, and became encouraged to become a part of the youth Independent Living Movement.
It is my hope to see the Youth Caucus expand to become an intricate part of NCIL. Young people with disabilities have stories that can impact changes to society that are critical and should be shared. The youth caucus is a place where youth with disabilities can be open and discuss how to impact society with their experiences. Our members are not only committed to the youth caucus but would like to be a driving force in achieving NCIL’s mission. The voices of the youth are important, not just for tomorrow, but for today.
To learn more about the Youth Caucus and how to get involved, please email Angela at [email protected].