NCD Youth Advisory Committee
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Youth
Advisory Committee Charter National Council on Disability
Youth Advisory Committee Charter Renewal
Official Designation: Youth Advisory Committee
Scope and Objectives: The Committee will provide advice to the National Council on Disability (NCD) on various issues, such as NCD’s planning and priorities. NCD is seeking this type of input in order to assure that NCD’s activities and policy recommendations respond to the needs of youth with disabilities.
Duration: The Committee will exist for two years from the date of this Charter, unless renewed earlier.
Reporting Relationship: The Committee reports to the National Council on Disability.
Support: The National Council on Disability will support the activities of the Committee. An appointed member of NCD will serve as Council liaison, and a member of the NCD staff will serve as staff liaison or Designated Federal Official.
Duties: The Committee will provide advice only.
Costs: The estimated annual operating costs associated with supporting the Committee’s functions are estimated to be about $46,000 per year, including all direct and indirect expenses. It is estimated that staff time in the amount of .30 of an FTE will be required to support this Committee.
Meetings: It is anticipated that the Committee will meet at least four times per year via teleconference.
Organization: The Committee will consist of 12 youth and young adult members able to represent diverse interests across the 10 federal regions. Two of these members will be high school students. NCD will create any YAC subcommittee which may be necessary to fulfill the Committee’s mission. NCD and the Committee will establish and amend such operating procedures as required to support the group, consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended.
Date of Termination: Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the Youth Advisory Committee will terminate two years from the date of this charter.
Charter Renewal Date: October 23, 2007
John R. Vaughn
NCD Chairperson
Youth
Advisory Committee Bylaws
(2007 update)
Section 1. Purpose:
The National Council on Disability (NCD) Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) was established as a non-paid advisory body to include youth perspectives in carrying out the mission of NCD. This is to ensure that NCD's activities and policy recommendations incorporate the needs of youth with disabilities. NCD's mission is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to support the empowerment of individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, inclusion and integration into all aspects of society.
Section 2. Functions:
In an advisory role to NCD, the YAC will perform the following duties:
A. Advise NCD on matters (e.g., economic, educational, employment, housing, social, transportation, and technological) related to the needs of children and youth with disabilities.
B. Review and provide comments on NCD's priorities and projects.
C. Select a reasonable number of issues and activities among NCD's priorities for YAC concentration.
D. Enhance NCD's knowledge about how the lives of children, and youth (including young adults) are affected by the implementation and enforcement of federal legislation (e.g. The Americans With Disabilities Act[viii], Individuals With Disabilities Education Act[ix], Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act (original)[x], Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act Amendments [xi], Higher Education Act[xii], Fair Housing Act[xiii], Assistive Technology Act[xiv], Rehabilitation Act Amendments[xv], Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act[xvi], Air Carriers Access Act[xvii], and Workforce Investment Act[xviii]); advise NCD on compliance issues and recommend policy changes.
Section 3. Membership:
The YAC, whose members shall be selected by NCD, shall be comprised of a balanced, culturally diverse group of appointees between the ages of 16 and 25 years, representing a variety of disabilities, located across the United States, and able to represent and/or obtain perspectives from youth in the 10 federal regions.
A. The Youth Advisory Committee shall be comprised of twelve members with diverse backgrounds and a variety of disabilities. Two of the twelve positions are specifically designated for youth who are currently enrolled in a high school curriculum. Each member can be selected for a two-year term and considered for a one-year extension. Terms of appointment may be staggered to ensure a mixture of new and continuing members. Selection of members and their terms shall be determined by NCD; members will serve until succeeded.
B. A member who is absent, without due cause from two consecutive public meetings and who does not contribute to the tasks undertaken by the assigned workgroup and/or designated work of the full committee may be recommended for termination. After consultation with the YAC Chair, the DFO will notify such members if termination is to occur. The notice will be provided in writing, using an accessible format (e.g., e-mail, electronic documentation, Braille, large print, cassette). A replacement will be selected to fill the vacancy as soon as possible.
C. In the event that a member vacates his/her position through resignation (via written communication to the YAC Chair), the Chair will, within 5 days after receipt of the resignation, notify NCD's DFO, General Counsel/Director of Policy Team and Counsel Liaison and request a replacement.
D. YAC members will serve without compensation except that NCD will reimburse each member for agreed upon reasonable and necessary travel and lodging expenses incurred in attending a face-to-face meeting (See Section 4, Paragraph A) as well as performing assigned functions and duties, if funds are available. Reimbursable travel and lodging expenses shall be determined by NCD policy communicated to committee members through identified NCD staff.
Section 4. Meetings: A. The YAC shall hold at least four public meetings within a fiscal year in order to provide timely advice to NCD.
B. Each YAC public meeting is open to the public. Reasonable accommodations made known to NCD staff within identified periods will be provided for members in remote locations for teleconferences. A limited number of dedicated lines will be available for members of the public to participate by telephone. A member of the public or YAC member who wishes to participate by joining NCD staff members at the 1331 F Street, NW conference room location may do so. If reasonable accommodations will be needed at the NCD location, the person(s) requesting the accommodation will give NCD staff 2 weeks’ notice before the scheduled meeting. Announcements and proceedings of all meetings and documents related to the functions of the YAC will be available in accessible format and at a reading level common to the public.
C. Public Meeting dates are listed in the Federal Register. To access the Federal Register on-line please visit: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. You can also email the YAC to request the dates: youth@ncd.gov.
D. The YAC's meeting agenda will be presented in a consistent structure, with flexibility when appropriate to address new matters (e.g., call to order, roll call, welcome and introductions, executive group, project, and/or other work group briefing, discussion of relevant policy issue(s), reaching consensus on any item(s) intended as advice or recommendations to NCD, determination of next assignments with timelines for completion where applicable, opportunity for NCD liaison comments, announcements, and adjournment).
E. With the approval of the Designated Federal Official (DFO), special public meetings of the YAC may be called by the Chair or upon the consensus of two-thirds of the members and made known to the Chair. In turn the YAC Chair shall notify all YAC members of the proposal and the DFO transmits notice to NCD’s communications staff no less than 30 calendar days prior to the meeting stating the purpose. No other business may be transacted at a special public meeting.
F. Operational communications or work group sessions to discuss the operations and procedures of the YAC may be called from time to time. Work groups will report relevant suggestions in the next public meeting. All matters that require full committee voting will be brought to the public meeting for presentation and voting. Members participating in workgroups will be notified as far in advance as least five-business days prior to the date of the discussion to allow for reasonable accommodation arrangements, as needed.
G. Each YAC member is entitled to one vote on all matters before the Advisory Committee. All decisions of the YAC shall be made by a majority vote of members in attendance. No proxies will be accepted in place of a member for purposes of voting.
Section 5. Officers:
The officers of the YAC shall include a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary.
A. The YAC Chair will:
1. Preside at all YAC public meetings after the DFO completes the required preliminary items.
2. Exercise general oversight and coordination of the affairs of the YAC, including encouragement of open communication among the members.
3. Arrange periodic consultations with the DFO and with the other YAC officers.
4. Implement the organizational structure and procedural of the YAC. In consultation with the DFO, this will include to designate YAC member for shared leadership of internal workgroups.
5. Report the Executive group summary areas of concentration and activities during each public meeting.
6. Recommend appointments to internal workgroups for purposes of collecting youth perspectives, sharing information, increasing knowledge about policy issues and the enforcement of laws, information dissemination and outreach to other youth and young adults.
7. Share an overall vision and related goals after consultation with other YAC officers and the DFO. Solicit from full YAC their specific areas with respect to the YAC vision, goals as identified and related to NCD’s priorities.
B. The YAC Vice-Chair will:
1. Perform the duties of the Chair in the event of the absence or incapacitation, or at the request of the Chair.
2. Automatically succeed to the position of Chair in case of a vacancy in that position and serve until the next election.
3. Check periodically with identical leaders on progress of the activities of all internal workgroups, maintain communication and serve as liaison to executive group.
4. Assist with the planning of public meetings and internal discussions, as appropriate and requested by the Chair.
C. The YAC Secretary will:
1. Assist with note-taking tasks for public meetings, share notes and be available to collaborate with the Chair as needed after each public meeting.
2. Serve on the Executive group with input equivalent to the Chair and Vice-Chair.
3. Collaborate with Executive group to assure that material has been gathered and comments shared before the Chair posts information
4. Assist with keeping YAC summary records and accomplishments for the fiscal year and make information available to the DFO for consideration in the quarterly reports the DFO shares with NCD.
D. Officers will be elected by the YAC and shall serve for one year or until their successors are elected. Officers shall assume responsibility at the beginning of the fiscal year (see section 11).
E. No officers may be elected to the same position for more than two consecutive years.
Section 6. Process for Election of YAC Executives:
A. Elections: YAC Executives, including positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, are elected annually during a public meeting.
B. Nominations: The YAC Officer nominations are open prior to voting on each position.
1. Candidates may be self-nominated or be nominated by other YAC members.
2. In an allotted period, each candidate shares information to convey qualifications to hold a particular position.
C. NCD Support: DFO monitors and other NCD staff support, as needed, each YAC member opportunity to vote for new officers. DFO and other NCD staff will tally the votes and announce results.
D. Officer Mentoring: YAC Officers vacating the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary (outgoing officers) will serve as mentors and provide support to the incoming officers for a two-month period following the election.
Section 7. YAC Procedural Workgroups:
A. Purpose: Workgroups will accomplish procedural tasks needed between YAC meetings.
B. Composition: All YAC members will participate in a procedural workgroup. Assignments to workgroups will consider input from YAC Executives (officers and workgroup leaders) as well as member preferences. Each workgroup will include an identifiedleader and a secretary.
C. Procedural Workgroup Leaders:
1. Identification: NCD's Designated Federal Official (DFO) responsible for the administration and procedural operations of the advisory committee will identify workgroup leaders and consider input from YAC Officers (Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary).
2. Roles:
a. Workgroup leaders are responsible for facilitating discussions, scheduling bi-weekly procedural calls, communicating with assigned members to check progress and effectiveness of procedures, and reporting to the YAC Executives and the general YAC membership.
b. All YAC members are responsible for active involvement in an assigned workgroup, including procedural discussions and timely submission of follow-up work. Members are responsible for notifying the workgroup leaders before an expected absence.
3. Accountability: The DFO will assess workgroups on an ongoing basis. Rotations within the workgroups and other necessary changes may occur to ensure YAC progress toward identified goals. The DFO may request input from YAC Executives.
D. Procedural Workgroup Secretary:
1. Identification:
a. The Workgroup Secretary will be elected by a majority of the Workgroup members.
2. Role:
Workgroup Secretaries are responsible for developing summary notes and providing a copy to workgroup members and the YAC Executives in a timely manner.
E. Functions of Existing Workgroups:
1. The Outreach and Networking Workgroup determines procedures:
a. To compile federal and general disability information related to youth;
b. To make easy to read formats for the public and the government; and
c. To connect and network with other youth and youth organizations.
2. The Policy Workgroup focuses on ways:
a. To provide youth perspectives to NCD on a number of topics and processes regarding the sharing of information with other youth with disabilities on current disability policies;
b. To make recommendations to NCD that aim to improve policies affecting youth with disabilities.
Section 8. Process for Internal Approval of Procedural Workgroup Documents:
Procedural Workgroup products/materials: After the Workgroup reaches consensus, the Workgroup leaders shall provide a draft document to the YAC Executives. Next steps process will be as follows:
A. After the YAC Executives approve the first draft, the YAC Chair will submit the document(s) to the full YAC for review and input opportunity within a specific timeframe.
B. YAC Executives will compile their comments and return the document to the Workgroup.
C. Upon completion of the final draft and consensus of the Workgroup members, the Workgroup leader shall submit a copy of the document to the YAC Executives for approval.
D. The YAC Executives shall ensure that the work aligns with the YAC mission and vision and the guidance on goals that the NCD's DFO has set for the YAC.
E. Upon approval of the final draft, the YAC Executives will submit the final product to the full YAC for their approval, including recommendation(s) directly to NCD.
F. After the full YAC has approved the document, the YAC Chair will submit it to NCD’s DFO for approval, editing, and submission to NCD's Council Member Liaison to YAC for further action on behalf of youth with disabilities.
Any guiding questions or other relevant materials that are being sent to the public from the YAC must be approved by both the YAC Executive and the DFO.
Section 9. YAC Mentors:
A. Identification
Two mentors for the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) will be selected on an annual basis.
B. Qualification
A YAC Mentor will have completed a two-year term as an active member of the YAC. This individual will have held the office as an Executive Board member or Workgroup Chair during his/her term.
C. Responsibilities: The responsibilities of the YAC Mentor will include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Provide support and guidance per the request of members of the YAC;
2. Attend teleconference meetings on a regular basis or as requested by members of the YAC;
3. be available for preliminary or conclusive conversations with members of the Executive Team or Workgroup chairs;
4. Serve as a resource about events and products created during his/her term of service on the YAC;
5. Provide productive feedback and suggestive edits during the creation of public documents or products created by the YAC or its Workgroups;
6. Carry out other responsibilities as requested.
D. Term
A YAC Mentor will hold a two-year term unless otherwise identified/requested by the YAC and approved by the DFO and supported by the YAC Liaison.
E. Process of Selection
1. On an annual basis, those YAC members qualified to hold the position will make their interest known to the full YAC, the DFO, and the YAC Liaison.
2. The selection of the mentor for the coming year will then be selected collaboratively by the YAC Executive Team, the DFO, and the YAC Liaison.
3. The DFO will then formally approve the selection and provide formal invitation on behalf of the YAC and NCD.
Section 10. Conflict of Interest:
In the event that an issue, proposal or similar matter is presented to the YAC, resulting in a potential conflict of interest, the affected YAC member shall excuse himself or herself from any discussion involving the matter, except for points of clarification requested by the YAC, and will not vote on the pending matter. For the purpose of these By-Laws, a conflict of interest situation would exist when work that a YAC member is performing for another organization, local, state, or federal agency and the interests of that entity are likely to be impacted by advice or recommendations that the YAC makes to NCD.
Section 11. Year:
The “year” for the YAC activities shall refer to the fiscal year for NCD (October 1 through September 30).
Section 12. General Communication and Official Statements:
A. Based on consultation with one another, the designated NCD Staff (DFO) and NCD Council/Board Liaisons to the YAC will provide guidance to the YAC as a unit, to the Chair on a scheduled basis, and as appropriate, to individual YAC members.
B. Questions from the public about operational procedures of the YAC or its internal discussions should be respectfully referred to the NCD Staff (DFO) and NCD Council Liaison.
C. Statements in the name of the YAC shall be reserved for the Chair or in his/her absence by the Vice-Chair or designee. The Chair will speak, write and act on behalf of the YAC on issues consistent with the functions, objectives and purposes of Section 1 and Section 2, bearing in mind that committee’s purpose.
Section 13. Ethics and Member Responsibilities:
The members of the YAC will:
A. Participate actively in at least one internal Workgroup to carry out tasks based on selected NCD projects or priorities annually.
B. Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.
C. Demonstrate awareness of the role and goals of the YAC and consider the need for consistency with NCD's mission and goals.
D. Attend and participate regularly in meetings. This includes making known readiness to offer input at appropriate times.
E. Participate actively in the Workgroups and be encouraged to use skills and talents that influenced his/her selection for YAC membership.
F. Respect other members' viewpoints, opinions, values, and professional standards. This includes keeping the lines of communication open, relating to one another in a courteous, professional manner regarding NCD business matters, as well as setting and maintaining boundaries between official business and social or informal environments.
G. Support the leadership of the YAC and communicate directly with the leaders in a collegial manner.
H. Check with YAC leaders prior to making official statements or otherwise speaking on behalf of the YAC (see Section 8, Paragraph C.) Such official statements may be appropriate only after an official position has been formulated.
I. In public conversation and in written communication, state clearly whether speaking as individuals or on behalf of the YAC. If the YAC has not formulated a position on a matter, the member has an obligation to make this known before speaking as an individual regarding the matter.
J. Avoid using YAC membership as a basis for obtaining personal benefit or privilege.
Section 14. Other Procedures:
Consistent with these By-Laws, the Advisory Committee may establish other procedures to guide its operations.
Section 15. Parliamentary Authority:
Unless other procedures are established by the YAC at the commencing of a meeting, Robert's Rules of Order Revised [xix] (Rules) will be used as a guideline for conducting business at all meetings.
Section 16. Amendments:
Any proposed amendment to these By-Laws shall be consistent with the content of the YAC's charter and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Any member of the YAC may propose and will present to the Chair an amendment in accessible format. The Chair will notify the DFO and members of the YAC of the proposed amendment at least thirty calendar days prior to the public meeting at which voting will occur. A two-thirds vote of those members present is required for ratification.
Section 17. Communication with NCD Council Member Liaison:
The By-Laws of all NCD advisory committees will be reviewed the by NCD Liaison.
I, the undersigned, certify that the above is a complete and accurate copy of the By-Laws as edited without substantive change and dated January 12, 2007:
Stephanie Orlando (YAC Chair), Gary Goosman (YAC Vice Chair), Reagan D. Lynch (YAC Secretary)
[viii] Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/pubs/ada.txt
[ix] Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), http://www.ideapractices.org/
[x] Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act, http://www.acteonline.org/policy/legislative_issues/Perkins_background.cfm
[xi] Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/CTE/legis.html
[xii] Higher Education Act, http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea98/index.html
[xiii] Fair Housing Act, http://www.dlrp.org/html/guide_to/fha.html
[xiv] Assistive Technology Act, http://www.disabilityresources.org/AT-LAW.html
[xv] Rehabilitation Act Amendments, http://www.section508.gov
[xvi] Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/twwiia/
[xvii] Aircraft Carriers Access Act, http://www.dlrp.org/html/guide_to/acaa.htm
[xviii] Workforce Investment Act, http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/wia/
[xix] Roberts Rules of Order Revised, http://www.constitution.org/rror/rror--00.htm
Youth Advisory Committee
Members
Breidenbach, Jesutine – Post Secondary/Legislative Advocate
Cavedon, Matthew – Post Secondary Student/Advocate
Cunningham, Brett – Post Secondary/Inclusion Advocate
Doherty, Amy – Post Secondary Student/Accommodations Advocate
Fahey, Carly – High School Student/ Self-Determination Advocate
Fogle, Paul – Post Secondary/Policy/Education Advocate
Ne’eman, Ari – Post Secondary Student/Education-Employment Advocate
Rea, Eddie – Disability Rights/Independent Living Advocate
Schneider, Nicole – Youth Mentor/Community Inclusion Advocate
Turner, Nathan – Post Secondary Student/Accessibility Advocate
Wandke, Daman – Post Secondary Student/Advocate
Ward, Bryan – High School Student/Self-Empowerment Advocate
Youth Advisory Committee
Meetings
Fiscal Year 2008 Meetings
June 20, 2008
November 15, 2007
Fiscal Year 2007 Meetings
August 14, 2007
January 18, 2007
November 14, 2006
Youth Advisory Committee
Agendas Fiscal Year 2008 Agendas
June 20, 2008
April 17, 2008
January 17, 2008
Youth Advisory Committee
Minutes
Fiscal Year 2008 Minutes
June 20, 2008
April 17, 2008
January 17, 2008
November 15, 2007
Fiscal Year 2007 Minutes
September 25, 2007
August 14, 2007
June 18, 2007
April 24, 2007
January 23, 2007
November 14, 2006
Fiscal Year 2006 Minutes
September 15, 2006
July 21, 2006
April 21, 2006
April 7, 2006
January 20, 2006
November 18, 2005
Youth Advisory Committee
Reports and Documents
Youth Advisory Committee for the National Council on Disability – July 2008
Youth Advisory Committee for the National Council on Disability – April 2008
Youth Advisory Committee for the National Council on Disability – January 2008
A Perspective from Youth with Disabilities: Benefits in a World of Employment
Youth Advisory Committee Recommendations to the National Council on Disability
- March 2007 (HTML) (PDF)
Youth Advisory Committee Report to the NCD Quarterly Meeting Report - April 16-17, 2007 (HTML) (PDF)
Youth Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting Report - July 2007 (HTML) (PDF)
Youth Advisory Committee: January 2007 Report (HTML) (PDF)
Youth Advisory Committee for the NCD Overview: "The Next Generation Roundtable 2006" (HTML) (PDF)
Youth Advisory Committee for the NCD Self-Empowerment for Young People (HTML) (PDF)
Youth Advisory Committee for the National Council on Disability Self-Determination (HTML) (PDF)
Youth Advisory Committee for the NCD (YAC-NCD) - "Nothing About Us Without Us!" (HTML) (PDF)
September 2006 Document - Youth Advisory Committee Historical Background (September 2006)
Students with Disbilities Face Financial Aid Barriers (September 15, 2003)
Youth
Advisory Committee Resources Ben's
Guide to the U.S. Government for Kids
Youth
Advisory Committee Designated Federal Official Michael C. Collins
Executive Director
National Council on Disability
mcollins@ncd.gov
202-272-2004
202-272-2074 TTY
202-272-2022 fax
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