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Finding Your Voice, Speaking Up In Group Settings

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.

Advocate & Share Your Voice

One way to feel more comfortable in group settings is to prepare ahead of time. You can write down a question, idea, or point you want to share before the discussion begins. You can also ask for accommodations that make participation easier, such as extra time to respond, access to written materials, captions, or the option to share your thoughts through chat or email. Asking for the support you need is an important part of self-advocacy.

For youth who want to learn more about using their voice, our friends at Youth MOVE National offer resources that focus on youth advocacy and participation. Its “Advocate & Share Your Voice” page encourages youth and young adults to share their ideas and experiences while learning how to advocate safely and effectively.

You can learn more by reading here: https://youthmovenational.org/advocate/

A Courageous Voice

Another helpful resource comes from A Courageous Voice, which explains why it's important for youth to feel comfortable speaking up when they have a concern or need support. Through its Kids Voices Matter program, the organization encourages youth to recognize trusted adults, communicate when something does not feel right, and build confidence through discussion and interactive activities.

Learn more about A Courageous Voice here: https://www.acourageousvoice.org/empower-children-to-speak-up



Have you spoken up in a group before? If so, how? Let us know and share your thoughts in the comments below

The SPAN Youth Chat

On October 7th, from 4:15 to 5:00 PM, join Jeremy Hayer and the Youth Engagement Team for a Youth Chat exploring how Halloween can inspire creativity and self-expression! From designing costumes to inventing characters and telling stories, we’ll explore how your interests and imagination can inspire something new.





Resources...

Link to SPAN's website: www.spanadvocacy.org
Link to SPAN's Youth in the Know Resource Page: Youth in the Know
We're here for you! Call SPAN if you need assistance: 1-800-654-7726.

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