Youth Leadership Toolkit

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$10 gift certificate for the first (1) survey by youth/young adults (ages 13-30) (one left)
$10 gift certificates for the first 8 surveys by parents or professionals
(Yes, we still have gift certificates left, but hurry!)

We want to hear what you think about our videos and what you would do differently if you made videos. Your ideas will help us and others make better or different videos. Please take our 10-question online survey.

Preview trailer

Watch the 1 minute Toolkit preview trailer on YouTube to get a sample of what you will see on the Toolkit videos. Also available in .mpg format or Windows Media File (.wmv) format. You can also watch a sample clip from the DVD on YouTube.

Why do we make videos?

We are a Youth Information, Training, and Resource Center for the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. That is the fancy way to say that we help youth and young adults with "differabilities" learn to be better advocates and leaders. We also share training and tips to help them during the transition from teenage years to adulthood, as they learn how to be more independent.

One of the ways we share training and tips is through our training videos. Our first video was the Respecting the Young Adult Patient video that we made when we were training Medical Homes (primary care doctors). We used the video to train other doctors, teachers, and professionals. Other states used the video in their training sessions also.

What's in the Toolkit?

Our young adults on our Advisory Committee told us that we should provide training on other topics, like leadership, self-advocacy, social skills, transportation, and more. So we made more videos (nearly 2 hours) of young adults sharing their hints and tips for other youth and young adults; parents; doctors; and other professionals. We also made a guide book to go with the videos/DVD. The guide book is for facilitators and provides some background and several discussion points and questions to use during training event. (The DVD is in the back cover of the guide book.). The final videos, like the first "Leadership" video, contain music and graphics that make the files too large to easily download for viewing over the internet so we'll send you the final version on a DVD (see "How can I get a toolkit?" below).

• For Youth and Young Adults (54 min)
• Leadership (7 min, with open captioning and audio treatments, large file, takes a long time to download and open)
• Advocacy
• Health and Recreation
• Transportation
• Employment
• Independent Living
• Relationships
• For Families (18 min)
• For Parents
• IEP-IPP
• Healthcare Decisions
• For Health Care Providers (19 min)
• For Doctors
• Respecting the young adult patient, YouTube video for viewing (8 min) (see Past Events for the download only version or view the open captioned version on YouTube)
• For Organizations (16 min)
• Disability Benefits
• Disability Services
• Systems and Healthcare
• Youth Leadership Toolkit Guide (pdf)
• Credits (pdf), with a special thanks to the ILRU for making the Toolkit possible.
• More videos that didn't make the cut to be included in the Toolkit.

How can I get a Toolkit?

The Toolkit (guide book and DVD) is ready and we have shared it with states through partner organizations. For organizations that provide leadership and transition training, contact your state's Family Voices Chapter to request a copy. For individuals who want a copy, please contact Al Romeo. If you have more questions about the Toolkit, please send Al Romeo a message.

Reviews

• "The personal stories taught me that it's okay to try new things." (young adult)
• "I liked listening to what the people had to say about their own experiences." (young adult)
• Liked knowing that "I can get a job with my disability." (young adult)
• "Very well done." (parent)
• "I enjoyed hearing the Child/Adult's point of view." (parent)
• "Real people talking about real challenges." (parent)
• Needed more information about "loneliness and how to make friends." (parent)
• "Gave ideas I hadn't thought of." (medical staff)
• "Honest info from the patient." (medical staff)
• "A wonderful tool." (medical staff)
• "Dispelling so many myths and stereotypes." (medical staff)
• "Each vignette is a kernel and nugget of gold." (medical staff)
• "New toolkit brings young adults with disabilities into the conversation." (CPD Blog)
• Take the online survey to give us your review!

Last updated: December 2, 2009.
For questions, comments, or to suggest new links, contact us.