Arizona Youth Engagement Academy (AZYEA) is intended to be an additional level of training for youth under the age of 30, who have a strong foundation in disability awareness, history, and culture, such as is provided during Arizona Youth Leadership Forum (AZYLF). While the majority of AZYEA graduates are also AZYLF graduates, others may occasionally be accepted into AZYEA. This determination will be made on an individual basis, and those interested are encouraged to contact us for more information.

AZYLF is an innovative, multi-day regional conference, designed to foster personal growth for students and young adults who have disabilities, as they prepare for and progress through transition to adulthood.

Youth who have disabilities, referred to as Delegates, who demonstrate leadership potential, an interest in embracing and enhancing their lives, and who wish to interact effectively with other youth and elders are a great fit for AZYLF. There is an opportunity for beneficial outcomes for any eligible youth or young adult who wishes to learn, grow, and contribute to the experience. Accommodations are available to maximize access for all. It is essential to the dynamic process of AZYLF that there is diversity in all aspects. Everyone has something to offer, and AZYLF encourages youth to identify and take pride in who they are as a person, and how they choose to establish themselves in the world.

AZYLF is intended to serve youth who have a variety of disabilities and diversities. Therefore, Arizona youth who are currently in high school, those who have recently graduated, or those who are young adults under the age of 30, are encouraged to apply and will receive selection consideration.

For each conference, AZYLF brings together up to 25 Arizona youth who have disabilities, who are referred to as Delegates, for a multi-day experience that focuses on self-discovery, leadership development, career exploration, effective advocacy, and empowers through heightened awareness of disability history and culture. Through Peer-Based Person-Centered Practices, Delegates are assisted in developing a Personal Leadership Plan which includes specific action items, to enhance their lives, and futures. Following graduation from AZYLF, Alumni receive mentoring in regard to their Persona Leadership Plan, and on-going support and connection, through the thriving Arizona Youth Leadership Initiatives (AZYLI) Alumni Association.

Although purposeful and relevant, the true value of AZYLF is not found in a curriculum, or in the words of an accomplished presenter, it is found in the climate of trust, mutual respect, and absolute acceptance, which allow youth to be themselves, to be heard, and to be changed. Arizona Youth Leadership Initiatives invests in our most precious resource, the youth who are transforming our tomorrows!

Rooted in disability history, and infused with a culture of competence, equity, inclusion, and civil rights, AZYLF offers youth who have disabilities an opportunity to embrace, identify, and celebrate themselves as people who have many diversities, one of which, being disability. Delegates receive vital resources related to available assistance, supports, and services, while expanding their connection to other youth and elders who are productively engaging in the lives they wish to create, and contributing positively to the world, as they so choose. AZYLF not only benefits the Delegates, but all young people, our communities in general, and the elders who assist in cultivating the conference.

Participation is free of charge.

Please complete the AZYLI Alumni Association Contact Form online at: https://diverseabilityincorporated.org/azyli-contact-form/

Please Note: Only AZYLF Alumni are eligible to join.

If you would like to host Emerging Me: My Life Matters at your school or community based youth organization, please contact Mellie Santora at: mellie@diverseabilityincorporated.org or call: 602-425-5135.

Diverse Ability Incorporated promotes access, equality, inclusion, and the celebration of diversity, through peer-based experiential learning, innovative person-centered practices, and maximized collaboration efforts, designed to heighten knowledge, enhance skills, and foster individual life path planning, and growth.

Diverse Ability Incorporated is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity, governed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of Youth and Elders, who have disabilities, and other diversities.

Diverse Ability Incorporated proudly facilitates the Arizona Youth Leadership Initiatives (AZYLI), which include: Arizona Youth Leadership Forum (AZYLF); Arizona Youth Engagement Academy (AZYEA); and the AZYLI Alumni Association. In addition, Diverse Ability Incorporated offers a variety of Peer-Based, Person-Centered presentations, trainings, and workshops. Among them are: Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Emerging Me: My Life Experience Matters, and Edutainment Incorporated.

Diverse Ability Incorporated actively participates in a variety of community, statewide, and national endeavors through collaboration, presentation, training, mentoring, meeting facilitation, strategic and action planning, and much more. We welcome the opportunity to consider how we can support your efforts in a meaningful way. Please email your inquiry to admin@diverseabilityincorporated.org.

Diverse Ability Incorporated is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity, and is eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, in accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations.