The SPAN Youth Hub

  It’s easy to VOTE LIKE A BEAST . Make sure you’re registered to vote, educate yourself about the candidates and issues at hand, and then vote based on what YOU believe. Your vote is your voice—an unstoppable force for change. Vote Like a Beast is here to remind you just how powerful that voice can be. It’s more than just filling out a ballot; it’s about stepping up, taking control of your future, and ensuring that your community's needs are heard. Whether you’re voting for the first time or a seasoned pro, remember: that elections shape the world we live in. From policies that impact jobs and healthcare to decisions that affect education and climate change, your vote matters. Stay informed, stay engaged, and when it’s time to vote—do it with conviction, strength, and determination. Let’s roar at the ballot box and make sure we all Vote Like a Beast ! *Vote Like a Beast offers non-partisan information on key issues and candidates at the national, state, and local levels. It al...

Transportation helps people get to school, work, appointments, and activities they enjoy. For youth with disabilities, reliable transportation can create more opportunities to explore their communities and make their own choices. Everyone deserves ways to travel that are safe, affordable, and accessible. 

Every October, workplaces across the nation join to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) . Led by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) , NDEAM recognizes the incredible contributions workers with disabilities bring to America’s economy, culture, and workforce. This year’s official theme, "Celebrating Value and Talent" , carries forward a vital message into 2026, aligning with nationwide celebrations surrounding America’s 250th birthday and ODEP’s 25th anniversary. It serves as a reminder that an inclusive workforce isn't just good practice, it's essential to driving innovation and workplace excellence. The poster is rectangular in shape with a red, gold, or light blue background and an array of red, white and blue graphical fireworks of different sizes. Five of these fireworks frame photos of people with disabilities working in various environments. Below the images, the words “Celebrating Value...

Speaking up in a group can sometimes feel difficult, especially when you're in a classroom, club, workplace, or other setting, where many people are sharing ideas all at once. For youth with disabilities, communication can also look different from person to person. Some youth may speak out loud, while others like to write, chat, use assistive technology (AT), or another way to communicate. No matter how you choose to speak up, your ideas and experiences deserve to be included.

We are excited to share a great opportunity from The Arc@School. The IEP Student Profile from The Arc@School is a free, fillable template that families and students can use to communicate a child's unique strengths, goals, preferences, and support needs directly to their IEP team and teachers.  This printable and fillable resource allows students and families to format and share their strengths, goals, preferences, and support needs directly with their IEP team.  For additional resources, you can also explore the The Arc@School Website, found here: https://thearcatschool.org/ Click here to view and download the Student Profile here:  https://bit.ly/3T8XD2G

Being a self-advocate means understanding what you need and feeling comfortable speaking up about it. At school, self-advocacy can help youth take a more active role in their education and make sure their voices are heard. This might include asking questions, sharing concerns, or explaining what helps them learn best.