Youth Advisory Committee for the National Council on Disability Seeking New Members

Washington, DC-The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) for the National Council on Disability (NCD) is announcing the opening of a nationwide search for new members. The YAC, a 12 member advisory committee ranging in age from 16-25, is recruiting members from cross disability sectors, diverse cultures and in under represented areas of the country.

The YAC ensures that NCD's policy recommendations and activities give consideration to the perspectives of young people with disabilities. NCD is an independent federal agency, made up with 15 executive members appointed by the president, and their responsibility is to make recommendations to the President and Congress on issues affecting Americans with disabilities. NCD's overall purpose is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower Individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.

"We have worked really hard, but there is more to do, and there is a big responsibility placed on anyone who joins us in the task of raising youth voices," says Isaac Huff, YAC Chair. He continues, "But, with the opportunity to recruit new members, I believe we can continue to be trail blazers in the community for youth with disabilities."

The recruiting process begins on August 9, 2005 and will close September 18, 2005 (i.e., e-mails by 12 midnight & postal mail marked by this date). To submit an application, please send three documents (1) a resume, (2) a letter of recommendation, and (3) a cover letter pointing out your leadership experiences and your disability oriented experiences to: YOUTH@NCD.GOV; if using postal mail, please send documents to:

YOUTH-YAC Recruiting
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, Suite 850
Washington, DC 20004

If you have further questions please feel free to contact Isaac Huff, YAC Chair at I_Huff@superaleja.org or Rebecca Hare, YAC Vice-Chair at harer@iel.org
To read more about the YAC's past work, check the NCD Website at www.ncd.gov