Activist conference for youth with disabilities

by Melissa Graham

In early June, a groundbreaking event for the disability movement took place in Ottawa, Ontario. The Youth Activist Forum brought together youth with disabilities from across that province.

They met established and emerging disability mentors, while learning about a variety of issues facing people with disabilities and creative ways to advocate for change.

The forum included performances by disabled artists and disability leaders from across Canada and the United States. At the workshops, participants were given the opportunity to showcase their talents and interests through games and activities, and of course had the opportunity to meet with other youth with disabilities.

The timing of this event could not have been more effective. At a time when people with disabilities are becoming more radicalized and politically active in the UK (see article on page 4), it is time to engage youth with disabilities and involve them in the fight for access, inclusion, and equality.

The event was a huge success—with the lessons, highlights and frustrations of any first-time grassroots event—but no amount of frustration could take away the pride of these youth with disabilities who knew what it meant to be activists for the first time.

For more information, please see www.cwdo.org/d/content/youth-activist-forum