Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA)

The Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy has always prided itself on providing the most up-to-date and relevant presentations to groups and schools on topics that are incredibly important to have open and frank conversations about people with disabilities and other empowerment topics.

Our presenters have over 20 years of experience presenting to groups of all ages and backgrounds. We cater each presentation to a specific audience while making it interactive and engaging.

With December 3rd being International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it felt like the right time to remind our local school districts of the available free presentations we offer.

• Disability Awareness and Etiquette
• Disability History
• Advocacy
• Living Out Loud (goal setting)
• Self-Esteem
• Youth Leadership and Empowerment
• Employment Soft Skills
• Sexual Health
• Making a Good First Impression
• Sharing Our Stories / Lessons Learned

Please help us share information about these free presentations with those in your life who may find it helpful.

And, as always, feel free to contact us if you have any needs that may not be outlined above. We can be reached at 785.215.6655 or [email protected]

KYEA | Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy Located in Topeka, Kansas, we serve youth with disabilities all across the state. The KYEA mission is to educate, mentor, and support youth with disabilities to be contributing members of their community.

Knowledge is power, and so is your support! Let's rally together for the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy on Giving Tuesday. Together, we're creating a community where EVERY youth can thrive. Join us in this empowering journey!

Donate Today at www.kyea.org

Image Description: [group of youth in wheelchairs from a YLF conference in front of the steps at the Kansas capital building. The text on the graphic is Join our community. Give a little. Help a lot. And the KYEA logo]

Shawnee Mission Theater in the Park is offering a Sensory Friendly Performance of Seussical the Musical on Sunday December 10, 2023 2pm. Best part... It's NO COST. See link in comments for more information.

This Giving Tuesday, be a catalyst for change! Join us in championing the mission of the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy. Your generosity paves the way for brighter futures filled with possibility and achievement. Together, we empower!

Please support our mission by donating today at www.kyea.org

Image Description: [group of youth sitting around a group of couches at a YLF conference in Washburn University. Text on the graphic is Empowering Disabled Youth to become leaders! Watch how our program changes lives. With the KYEA logo in the corner]

At KYEA, we believe in the power of empowerment. This Giving Tuesday, help us nurture the talents of youth with disabilities. Your support ensures they build a future filled with possibilities. Let's create a world where every dream is within reach!

Donate Now at www.kyea.org

Image Description: [group of YLF attendees in wheelchairs on a basketball court giving high fives. Text on the graphic is Give the gift of Leadership.]

Empower dreams and ignite potential! This Giving Tuesday, join us in supporting the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy. We're on a mission to equip disabled youth with essential leadership, life, and advocacy skills. Every contribution counts. Let's make a difference together!

Donate Now at www.kyea.org

Image Description: [group of youth in yellow t-shirts and lanyards sitting around a round table at a YLF conference in Washburn University. Text on the graphic is Empowering Youth with Disabilities through Leadership! Your donation will help support a leadership program for youth with disabilities.]

This , consider making a real impact by supporting the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy.

Did you know that there are 33,000 youth with disabilities in Kansas? Together, we can change lives and bring leadership skills to so many. Join us and be a part of KYEA's mission is to educate, mentor, and support youth with disabilities. Your contribution this would mean we can reach more of the 33,000 plus youth in Kansas with a disability.

We aim to reach $5,000 in community donations by the end of 2023. Won't you help us achieve our goal and make a difference in the lives of so many youth?

Donate at www.kyea.org today.

At KYEA, we're serving up more than turkey this Thanksgiving. We're carving out opportunities, serving a feast of leadership skills, and grateful for the fantastic zest our youth with disabilities bring to the table.

Happy Thanksgiving from the KYEA family!



Image description: [graphic with cursive Happy Thanksgiving and different colored pumpkins on the borders]

Lights, Camera, Description! Just a reminder that ACB’s Audio Description Project and the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) are accepting entries for Benefits of Audio Description in Education (BADIE), an essay contest for young people (ages 7 to 21) who are blind or have low vision. It’s a great chance for students to engage with accessible learning materials, unleash their inner film critic, and compete for fun prizes.

Visit http://badiecontest.org for complete details and to submit your entry!

“Yes, You Really Do Belong in College” “My advice to incoming college students with ADHD and learning differences: Don’t be afraid to reach out to people in your campus community. Cold emails can lead to jobs, friendships, and new insights.”

It's the season to plan for home visitors. If your friends or family have a physical disability, we have advice to help make your home more accommodating.

Follow the link for these tips and access a free booklet with even more information: https://rockcha.lk/4e9e74



ALT TEXT: Image of a man sitting in a wheelchair at a table with friends while they eat a meal together with text that reads "Accessible Home for the Holidays"

Meet our newest furry friend Carl, a warm-hearted autistic raccoon who has a passion for collecting! From solving problems with friends to embracing his unique talents, he'll show us that being yourself is the greatest superpower. Look out for the new series, Carl the Collector, coming Fall 2024 on PBS KIDS.

The (Sensory Friendly) Nutcracker
Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023
Muriel Kauffman Theatre at the Kauffman Center
6 p.m.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! Kansas City Ballet is thrilled to present a sensory-friendly performance of The Nutcracker for children, families and adults with sensory sensitivities, autism spectrum disorder, or other special needs. Appropriate changes will be made to this performance to create a welcoming and safe space for all in attendance. We are pleased to work with the Kansas City Symphony to provide live music for this performance, while remaining sensitive to the needs of our audience.

All tickets are $25. Call (816) 931-8993.

Thank you to Mentor Kansas for inviting us to present a webinar to their members and share all about KYEA yesterday! This was a great opportunity to spread the word about our programs, volunteer opportunities, and our focus on mentoring. If you would like to learn more about KYEA and everything that we do to serve youth with disabilities in our state, take a moment to watch this video!

Mentor Kansas Monthly Webinar - November 2023 - Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy The Commission's Tierney Kirtdoll sits down with Carrie Greenwood, Program Coordinator for the Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy.

Halloween at the KYEA office + Julia’s last Halloween as our director= wild times!!

Happy Halloween! During your fun night of trick or treating, make sure your kiddos are SAFE and SEEN! 🔦 🎃

Check out these tips on staying safe this holiday, safekids.org/halloween
Safe Kids Kansas

Submissions for the 2024 InSights Art competition are now open! This international art contest is open to artists of all ages with vision loss. Submissions will be accepted until March 29, 2024. Learn about InSights Art and how you, your child, or your students can enter the contest: https://bit.ly/3CdgVpS

This piece, which features a beautiful sea turtle, was created by InSights Art participant Ezra Gonzalez, a 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade artist from Rio Hondo, TX!

Providing image descriptions means inclusion! :-) 

This is just a reminder that alt-text makes social media accessible to everyone. Remember to add alt-text or image descriptions to every post with an image!

Need help forming alt-text for your photos? Check out this guide from Accessible Social here: https://www.accessible-social.com/images-and-visuals/writing-image-descriptions

Back to school means study tips! We've got you. 💛

Do you know high school juniors and seniors with disabilities who have leadership potential OR interest? Would they benefit from a week of empowerment? They should apply to the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum (KSYLF)!

The KSYLF is currently searching for young leaders from across the state to attend the 23rd annual forum held July 15-20, 2024 at Washburn University in Topeka. During the forum, delegates enjoy a unique week full of learning, fun, friends, and, most of all, a new sense of empowerment! Through various large sessions, delegates are able to hear from community leaders on such topics as advocacy, goal setting, leadership, disability history, communication, resources, and much more. Students are also able to share life experiences, goals, and ideas during breakout sessions with small groups. Students also participate in a variety of fun activities as well, including a trip to the Capitol, mentor luncheon, adapted recreation and barbecue, resource fairs, a talent show, and a dance! This is a week that you don't want to miss!

All youth who are interested in attending the KSYLF must meet the following criteria:
• reside in Kansas.
• have a disability as defined with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
• be in the 11th or 12th grade as of December 31, 2023. Students who are in an 18-21 transition program qualify to apply as well.
• have demonstrated leadership potential or interest in school and the community. Remember that leadership comes in many different forms!

Applications are due by DECEMBER 15, 2023, so don't delay in applying! For more information, visit www.kyea.org.

7 Healthy ADHD-Friendly Snacks If your child has ADHD, the right snacks may help them focus, concentrate, learn, and stave off hunger and mood swings.

CCC Provides Local Students with Courses at No Cost Colby Community College will offer a tuition, fees, and books scholarship for qualifying students attending high schools in northwest Kansas.

We just think this is the coolest story, so we had to share it!

Paralyzed pig saved in Kansas makes calendar debut following global contest One pig from Kansas who had a rough start can now add ‘calendar model’ to his list of special skills as the handicapped porker made his international debut.

Our Fall 2023 newsletter - the ICI Observer - is now available! We share consumer spotlights, introduce new staff, highlight some tips & reminders, link to important news, celebrate, remind, and inform about happenings in the area – and more!
Check it out...https://indconnectinc.com/the-ici-observer-newsletter/.

"When your kids are staring at
another kid with disability, and you
say "don't stare" that comes across
to your kids as "don't engage"
Instead try saying something like
"would you like to go say hi or ask
them to play with you?"
Give your kids the guidance they
need to become kind and accepting
humans."

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of su***de or experiencing a mental health crisis, there is hope. The 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 connection to confidential support. Call or text 988 or chat at https://bit.ly/48AysZC.

Artwork by Emily T. first place winner | 10th grader at Central High School

We will be hosting a City-Wide Job Fair on October 17th from 11:00am to 7:00pm if you are looking for career opportunities this is a great opportunity! There will be How to Build a Resume Workshops along with someone on sight from Kansas-WorkforceONE to review resumes throughout the day! Multiple businesses are offering on-sight interviews! There are many positions open in the community including full-time, part-time and seasonal! DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!

Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce City of Dodge City - Government Ford County

What if students actually wanted to learn?

KU Life Span Institute researchers discuss how the self-determined learning model empowers students to take ownership over their learning. Educators can find practical strategies for fostering a self-determined learning environment.

Check it out at: https://rockcha.lk/l6u

Our October issue of our newsletter has been published! This whole issue celebrates disability pride... check it out! https://conta.cc/3RJh6Up

News from Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy All the news and updates you need! Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy Newsletter Issue #64 October 2023 We hope you all had a wonderful summer! We did, and we have lots to share with you... keep reading

Researchers at KU want to hear from people with about experiences with issues such as health care, housing, employment, and more as they encourage participation in the National Survey on Health and Disability. Follow this link to learn more: https://rockcha.lk/np3

Wheelchair Users’ Guide to Fall and Winter Clothing and Accessories Dressing for cooler weather as a wheelchair user means new layers, different lengths and, quite frankly, more time. Kate Matelan shares her expertise on coats, bags, layers and accessories to help you…

The first line treatment for ADHD is medication, but what can you do if there are side effects?

At the November parent meeting we'll talk about the various types of medications used for ADHD, the most common side effects, and how to manage the side effects and when it's time to change the treatment plan.

We hope you can join us!

Learn more and sign up: https://adhdkc.substack.com/p/parents-group

🚨🚨🚨
Announcement Alert:
🚨🚨🚨

Updated:
The Kansas Youth Empowerment Academy (KYEA) is STILL looking to hire a new Executive Director.

KYEA’s mission is to educate, mentor, and support youth with disabilities to be contributing members of their community. With that being said, we are eagerly looking for an Executive Director who can continue the KYEA legacy.

We are accepting applications through October 15th.

If anyone is interested, please look at the comments for further information where you’ll find the link to the job application and point of contact.

If you know anyone that is interested in this job position, please SHARE THIS POST!

We are excited to share the Kansas Navigator Series! The series is a free self-directed online learning series developed for self-advocates and their family members to learn more about themselves, their goals, and how to advocate for what is important to them. The series will take you through four topics: self-determination, supported decision-making, circles of support, and dignity of risk. Visit the Kansas Navigator Series website to begin navigating your future: http://sites.google.com/view/kansas-navigators

We are coming to the last of our KSYLF sponsor thank you's... today, we want to say a big thank you to all of our BRONZE sponsors for this year! They are all listed below:

Kansas State Department of Education
Independence, Inc.
LINK, Inc.
Independent Connection Inc.
Alliance Bank
INTRUST Bank
Walmart (facility 5441)- Rochester Rd
Jack Hansen, Edward Jones Investments

No matter the level of giving, we TRULY appreciate each and every one of our sponsors. Each contribution goes directly towards building youth leaders with disabilities in our state! Because of the sponsors above, this year's KSYLF was a huge success. Thank you to each of our BRONZE sponsors for supporting this program and our organization!

Schizophrenia & Relationships: How to Make Love Work | bpHope.com Getty Images Understanding Schizophrenia & Its Effect on Relationships At 36 years old, Stephen Fedele has experienced his fair share of romantic