Students with Disabilities Invited to Leadership Forum on UMC Campus; Apply Now!

Jefferson City - High school juniors and seniors with a disability will have a unique opportunity this summer to learn new leadership skills and experience life at the University of Missouri-Columbia campus. Qualified students can apply now for the fifth annual Missouri Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF) scheduled for July 22-25, 2007.

During this four-day forum, students will learn about leadership principles, disability experience and resource sharing, assistive technology, development and achievement of career goals, independent living, and developing advocacy skills. This is the only statewide youth leadership forum for students with disabilities in Missouri. MYLF is a leadership and career development skills program for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. By serving as delegates from their communities, young people with disabilities cultivate leadership, citizenship, and social skills.

All of this is provided at no cost to the student delegates.

The key success to the Missouri Youth Leadership Forum is leadership by example. As part of the program, students meet successful adults with disabilities who share similar challenges. This framework provides an atmosphere of encouragement, helping youth realize their ability and pursue meaningful employment to become contributing members of society.

Youths are selected through a statewide competition seeking students with disabilities who are high school juniors and seniors this school year, ages 16-18, and show leadership potential.

The Governor's Council on Disability and Missouri Planning Council are currently accepting applications for this event. The application is available online at www.gcd.oa.mo.gov/2007ylf.shtml.

If you have any questions, please contact the Governor's Council at 1-800-877-8249.

Deadline for submitting the application is April 15, 2007.

To nominate a student from your local community, fax the application to 573-526-4109 or mail it to Missouri Governor's Council on Disability, PO Box 1668, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

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