Pittsburgh, PA
Education: BA, MDiv.
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
Worked for the PEAL Center and as a Youth Engagement Specialist for the PA Bureau of Special Education, and self-advocate.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
The YEN Project is a great opportunity for self advocates to help shape a better world than the one we experienced.
What would you like to share with everyone about your disability journey?
My experience living with a visual difference and my faith has become the foundation of my advocacy.
from Cleveland, Ohio
Education: Bachelors in Marketing Communications and Disability Studies from the University of Toledo.
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
I serve as a: member of NTACT:C Youth Engagement Transition Initiative (YETI), Youth Engagement Expert for Transition Discoveries, active youth leader and founding council member of the Charcot Marie Tooth Association (CMTA), a Youth Engagement Consultant for the Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN), a counselor at Camp Footprint, and a Peer Network Intern for the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) - Youth Member, Conference Committee.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
YEN is a cultivation of what can happen when you let young people use their talents, passions, and hard work to create. YEN has been not only a life mission for all of us, but has also given me some of the greatest friends I could have ever asked for. I feel so lucky to not only work alongside this team, but have them in my corner moving forward. I can’t wait to see where our movement together goes!
What would you like to share with everyone about your disability journey?
I just recently made a website to capture my disability experience: https://www.erinblack.net/
Education: Bachelors of Science in Natural Science: Environmental Science with minors in history, biology, chemistry, and global and local sustainability (2025)
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
Group Leader with the Youth Engagement Transition Initiative since 2021, Diversity Ambassador with Daemen University's Center for Diversity and Inclusion since 2022, Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society since 2023
What does the YEN project mean to you?
YEN is a representation of all the youth voices that have been doing this work for years finally having a place to be heard together. Throughout working on this project we have had so many different people with different backgrounds bringing their expertise into YEN that it's made it so special.
A fun fact about yourself:
I am currently working on my undergraduate research on Devonian miospores!
Education: I have a B.A. in Psychology from Chico State University and
my goal is a masters degree
Two disability advocacy accomplishments are:
I was Invited to speak to the CA Advisory Commission on Special Education as a contributor in October 2022 and I was invited to write a life story article, published in The Special EDge Newsletter in June 2022.
A fun fact about yourself: My hobby is traveling.
Where are you from? Originally from Richmond, Virginia; moved to Goochland County, Virginia in 2017
Education: J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
Youth Empowerment Transition Council, ALLY (A Life Like Yours) Alliance, Virginia LEND-- leadership education in neurodevelopmental disabilities through VCU, BIRDS through VCU, the Inclusion Project through VCU, Youth meetings with blind youth and young adults, I was in a program through the Virginia Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired DBVI called Project Rise, I was in another program for the blind and visually impaired run partially through VCu and the Department of the Blind.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
I've made so many friends in YEN I cannot even count! YEN makes me feel empowered and makes me want to advocate even more! I really want to help our Virginia NTACT learn how to be more engaging with youth and young adults.
A fun fact about yourself:
I'm blind, on the autism spectrum, have a brain injury and seizures. I get overstimulated if there's too much activity and sometimes I need sensory breaks. I'm a very picky eater.
Education: Delgado Community College
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
I am sitting on the board with People First NOLA, I'm also a LaCAN member I am a speaker also.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
The YEN project means lot to me. Because we can help others out their in the community. Who doesn't have all the resources on how this project can help them in their lives and in others' lives. The goal is to continue making our community better and greater.
Education: M.P.H. in health behavior and health education from University of Michigan
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
Serve as a young adult consultant for Michigan Children's Special Health Care Services, American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Foundation, Michigan Interagency Transition Team, and previously with the American Institutes for Research, National Network for Advancing Systems of Services for Children and Youth with Special Needs, Human Resources and Services Administration, and Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
To me, the YEN project means collaborating to increase the opportunities for youth with disabilities to utilize their skills to act as an advocate and make a difference.
Education: High school and 2 year college steps certificate
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
Youth advocacy council - talked on panels, spoke at conference, talked on the radio, helped create survey for high school, talked to legislatures, helped to organize summit. Youth Advocacy steering committee help plan for yac meetings. RAISE - made podcast videos, been to conferences, create parent center videos.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
Means being apart of making a website that will benefit and help people who want to work with disabled people that at the same time empowers and make a impact for the disability community.
A fun fact about yourself: I represent my state Vermont at nationals for swimming.
Education: Associates in Liberal Arts from Brightpoint Community College and attending Longwood University in the fall to study communications
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
I am a peer mentor for the Arc of Va and a part of the Ally Alliance of the Arc of VA and a part of RAISE.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
It will help spread more awareness about people with disabilities and the importance of sharing their stories.
A fun fact about yourself: I have Fragile X syndrome and it’s the leading genetic cause of autism.
Education: B.A. Communications Studies, Minor Journalism
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
Billy is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte and has a B.A. in Communication Studies and minor in Journalism. He served as the President of the Student Advisory Board for Disability Services at UNC-Charlotte. He has worked as an Intern at the NC Division of Services for the Blind and Seacrest Studios at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC. He also worked as the Youth Outreach Coordinator for the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC). Billy has traveled to all 50 United States. He was born with a condition called Norrie’s Disease and is totally Blind with hearing loss.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
Being part of YEN has reminded me that no matter how different our experiences, perspectives and approaches, so much change can happen when we come together with a common goal in mind.
What would you like to share with everyone about your disability journey?
With my fellow self advocates and our adult allies who supported us it is great to know that you are never alone in this journey.
Education: Michael is currently attending Bowling Green State University, Firelands.
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
Michael has shared his journey and experiences with the help of the Ohio Coalition and has collaborated with the OCECD on the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP). Michael presented at OCALI in 2022, is the proud recipient of the R.A. Horn
Award in 2023, and is now looking forward to starting a journey as a new member of the Youth Advocates for Change, as part of RAISE.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
YEN is great because our voices as youth matter and our input is valued. As someone who struggles with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and Intractable Migraines on a daily basis other YEN members can relate to each others struggles even if theirs are different, everyone accepts each other for who they are.
What would you like to share with everyone about your disability journey?
Michael rediscovered the voice that was taken from him. He now implores others to find and use theirs. Michael never allows his struggles to affect his day. Instead, he keeps a positive mindset and keeps pushing forward. Humor and sarcasm are a huge part of his day-to-day life and he has the quick wit to back it up.
Education: Colorado College
List all your involvement with youth engagement/disability advocacy work:
When I was younger I volunteered for several years at a facility that provided hippotherapy for disabled individuals. I have spoken publicly many times on traumatic brain injury awareness as well as disability advocacy in general. I helped found a club for students with disabilities at my school. I currently work at a Parent Center, and lead our Youth Advisory Community, a group of young adults with disabilities.
What does the YEN project mean to you?
YEN is what we all need: a strong community focused on positive change.
What would you like to share with everyone about your disability journey?
Constable: Long Grove woman rebuilding life after brain injury
Education: Bachelor's in Science in Kinesiology
About: Mayia Warren is a multi-talented individual dedicated to advocating for invisible disabilities, albinism, and chronic illnesses. Through various mediums such as music, writing, podcasts, and digital content, she educates and entertains while shedding light on her own journey and the broader experiences of her community. Notable contributions include her podcast, The Better Not Bitter Podcast, which provides a platform for individuals with medical conditions and disabilities, and her active involvement with youth engagement and disability advocacy projects like the YEN Project, where she values building relationships and making an impact. Mayia's advocacy extends globally, collaborating with organizations, sharing insights on inclusion, mental health, racial disparities, and combating ableism. Residing in Greensboro, NC, she devotes herself full-time to advocacy work, utilizing her experiences and faith as catalysts for positive change. Additionally, as an independent recording artist and philantropreneur, Mayia continuously strives to create art and serve others.
Foundations
Leadership
Collaboration