Joel and Neal's Success Story

Joel and Neal are youth with disabilities who joined SALYD (Self-Advocacy and Leadership for Youth with Disabilities) upon its conception in March of 2005. They have contributed greatly to the group via discussion during regular meetings as well as serving as officers for the SALYD board. They go beyond their officer roles in making sure events sponsored by the SALYD organization go as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Outside of SALYD, they are both active in extracurricular activities as well as hold after school jobs. They have contributed to their school and community by bringing speaker Norman Kunc to their high school. Both cite SALYD as being crucial in building their advocacy skills and allowing them to network with other youths with disabilities.

Joel: I didn’t know many people within the disability community. I joined SALYD to be part of something where kids with all kinds of disabilities could come together and find resources they may not have known were out there.

Neal: Before SALYD, I wasn’t connected with any other youth with disabilities. I joined SALYD to meet new people and learn how to speak up about issues. Being in SALYD has been a benefit in building youth into the disability networks.

Click on the links below for their stories and radio spots!

Learn how other youth and families prepared for the transition
from high school to adult life.

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