Recruitment begins for 6th Annual Vermont Leadership Series

The Vermont Leadership Series trains Vermonters with developmental disabilities, and their family members, to be advocates for positive social change. Lessons include steps to be a leader, how to get your point across, and key issues in disability rights.  These workshops are comprised of presentations, panels, and interactive exercises illustrating legislative advocacy skills, ways to promote positive attitudes about disability, and inclusive practices that harness the strengths of all. Activities are designed to help participants build new partnerships and increase each developing leader’s commitment to making Vermont a better place to live for people with disabilities.

Leadership is for Vermonters with diverse experiences of disability. Examples include: Parents of any age who support a son or daughter with a developmental disability; adults living with intellectual or other disabilities who want to take their advocacy to a new level; sisters, brothers, and grandparents who are growing into their role supporting a family member with a disability.

The weekend sessions begin Saturday morning and end Sunday afternoon. Scheduled dates for the 2018 participants, allies, and trainers, are:

1st weekend – October 21-22, 2017
2nd weekend – December 2-3, 2017
3rd weekend – January 13-14, 2018

Want to learn more about the Leadership Series? You can read the full six-page packet or the brief two-page summary. Contact Joanne Wechsler for more information.

The Graduation ceremony and reception take place every year at the Vermont State House on Disability Awareness Day.

There is a nominal fee and scholarships are available. The training is a collaboration among several organizations: Vermont Family Network, Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council, Green Mountain Self-Advocates, the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion, and the Vermont Health Department’s Children with Special Health Needs.

Apply Here by August 15th

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