Emerging Leaders Program
Emerging Leaders Program
Recently, I had the opportunity to ask Vanessa Ocana, YLC Member, a few questions about her experiences with the Emerging Leaders Program and its impact on her leadership development. Read more below!
How did you become interested in Disability Voices United and the Emerging Leaders Program?
I currently lead the accessibility initiative which strives to educate the Best Buddies community on the importance of accessibility and to improve and develop resources that foster more universal accessible practices within Best Buddies.
Through the experience I developed a greater passion for learning about accessibility from the disabled community as a whole, not just my own. In the past year I have had the opportunity to learn from the low vision, visually impaired and augmentative alternative communication communities.
What is Disability Voices United (DVU)?
According to their mission statement, Disability Voices United is a California advocacy organization directed by and for people with disabilities and our families. We advocate for choice and control over our lives, equity and accountability in the systems that serve us, and meaningful outcomes that matter to us.
What is the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)?
One of the programs DVU offers is the Emerging Leaders Program, a five-part training program that gives self-advocates with disabilities and family-advocates the skills needed to take leadership positions in their communities and state and to advocate for systemic change.
What were the training sessions like?
Training sessions focused on the following areas:
Week 1: Introduction to Disability History and Advocacy. Opened in 2011, the Ed Roberts Campus is in Berkeley, California. Featuring a large red spiraling ramp, the building's design creates a statement about universal design, equal opportunity, and inclusion. Named after one of the founders of the independent living movement, Ed believed in the strength of collaborative efforts to “work toward our preferred future.”
Week 2: Shaping Disability Rights in California. Passed in 1969, the Lanterman Act entitles people with developmental disabilities a right to services throughout their lives. For example, with Support Decision Making (SDM), the person with a disability, with the assistance and advice of their circle of support, is in control of their life choices.
Week 3: The Role of Media in Advocacy. When asked “Has anyone ever tried to reach out to a reporter or tried to get the media's attention for something? fellow classmate Ravi replied, "I wrote a thesis on Autism and Fitness which caught the attention of Senator Dianne Feinstein.” This project led Feinstein to announce her support to make fitness facilities more accessible for people with disabilities. The bill was introduced by Senator Tammy Duckworth. (Press Release, July 28, 2021) This is a great example of what ELP is all about!
Week 4: Leading at the Community and State Level. This week featured a panel on being an effective board of director member. Panelists: Jillian, Tim, and Yolanda. Moderator: Judy.
Briefly Introduce Yourself
Jillian identifies as queer woman with autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. Her degrees include sign language, child development, specifically human development, and liberal studies in special education with an emphasis on literacy. She is passionate about access to education including proper housing, higher education, employment opportunities, and being able to identify with your community. (i.e., racial, or sexual orientation)
Yolanda identifies as a queer Hispanic woman with cerebral palsy. She has a younger brother with down syndrome. Her relationship with disability is best described as a challenge she must overcome. She is pursuing a degree in communications.
Tim identifies as a Korean American male with cerebral palsy and uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. He has a degree in Speech Communication. At the time, it was not so easy because the department did not have experience working with a student who has cerebral palsy and uses an AAC device.
What is the role of a board member?
Yolanda: As a board member with a disability your priority is to make sure your community is taken care of and actively learning about various access needs in the community. It can be a very heavy burden to carry. It can also feel great when we gain momentum and see change. Reminding us the situations we put ourselves in are worth it because we are facilitating change. As a board member with a disability your focus is shaping a better world.
Jillan: Do not be a stranger to the place you work for and oversee. Be available and approachable. Show people who you are. What you are capable of. That you are on their side. Offer employees assistance on projects. Work together to get things done.
Tim: As a person with a disability, it is just natural for me to speak to them as if I am speaking for everyone in our community.
What kind of barriers as a person with a disability have you faced serving on a board?
Jillan: I struggled with people seeing me as an equal and equitable person on the board and I had value to add not just like representation.
Tim: I was sitting on the Regional Center of Orange County Self Determination Advisory Committee. I raised my foot to get attention. When it was time to speak my voice output started speaking what I had typed. The chair of the committee, who was a parent, started speaking over me as if my voice were not valid.
Yolanda: Prior to the pandemic board members were asked to travel to meetings so we can be in person. You go along with it because there is this sense that you should be lucky to have a seat in the room. It is hard when other disabled people are going along with it because you feel like if they are willing to deal with the struggle of traveling then I should suffer through it as well.
Week 5: Advocating for Systems Change. As a person with cerebral palsy I found being in the audience listening to three panelists with varying degrees of CP to be empowering. Through the experience I developed an interest in the following leadership positions:
First, as a second year member I am interested in becoming Chair of the Young Leaders Council (YLC). The YLC is a diverse group of leaders with all abilities who bridge the gap between the participant’s perspective and staff experience for Best Buddies International initiatives. The Chair is a participant representative on the Best Buddies International Board of Directors and responsible for providing support to co-chairs and members relaying their participant driven ideas to headquarters.
Second, I am interested in the Disability Rights California Board of Directors, which provides overall direction for DRC. Each Board member serves on at least one Committee. Board members are also responsible for fundraising, participation in outreach events, and recruiting new members.
A third opportunity is the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD), which is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and support they need. Members of the SCDD are appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
What is next for you?
Emerging Leaders Program participants who complete the five-part training are eligible for mentorship which educates mentees on how to pursue leadership interests and advocate for critical changes in our systems.
Where can we find more information about Disability Voices United (DVU) or Emerging Leaders Program (ELP)?
DVU: Disability Voices United |
ELP: Emerging Leaders Program (2023) | Disability Voices United
In conclusion, I want to provide you all with a quote I find particularly meaningful in regards to the Emerging Leaders Program.
“From small, local efforts organized, by many people collectively, disabled people have worked together across the United States to demand the right to education, employment, and housing. This community effort began decades ago and must continue today because although we have won some legal rights, there is still much discrimination. We need disability to be seen as a valuable part of diversity, and we need general public respect to ensure we can live independent, full lives. We have waited long enough. The time to be included, the time for this to change is now. And you can be a part of it. You should be a part of it.” - Lawrence Carter Long
Communications Director and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
I hope that you enjoyed learning more about the Emerging Leaders Program!
In friendship,
Vanessa Ocana
YLC Member, California
Jamie Galvin
YLC Member, Tennessee
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