Welcome to the Kentucky Youth Advocacy Project Home Page!
The Kentucky Youth Advocacy Project is funded by the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities and is designed to:
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assist students (age 8-21) with disabilities to learn how to be more self-determined (being actively involved in decisions which affect their lives) and to become self-advocates (e.g. choosing their own learning and personal goals, monitoring their own progress, etc.) and
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assisting teachers, speech language pathologist and parents learn how they can help their students/children become more self-determined and to self-advocate.
The Kentucky Youth Advocacy Project utilizes the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) (Wehmeyer et al., 1998) as the framework to teach students important self-advocacy skills. This evidenced-based model was developed to teach students with disabilities to select personal goals, develop plans and identify barriers to goal attainment and to self monitor progress and revise their plans as needed.
Every participating student receives a Goal Book at the "I CAN" Day. These books walk the students through the process of becoming self-advocates. Step-by-step directions and questions are provided that aid the students in choosing their goals and overcoming obstacles.
This website includes materials and examples of the KYAP process.
We are glad you are here and hope that you enjoy exploring our site!