National Council on Disability
Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)
July 21 , 2006 – Record of Public Meeting (Teleconference) – Minutes

Participants: YAC members present were Andrew Phillips, Miranda Pelikan, Gary Goosman, Stephanie Orlando, Gina Semenza, Rachel Goldmark, Reagan Lynch, Michael Murray; NCD staff was, Dr. Gerrie Hawkins (Designated Federal Official); Betsy Valnes (Independent Contractor and YAC Mentor). Excused were Amy Litzinger, Matt Cavedon, and Desmeon Thomas.

1. The Call to Order occurred at 3:11pm Eastern Daylight Time by the DFO due to conference center difficulties. After the roll call and expression of appreciation to committee members for their productive efforts, Dr. Hawkins transferred the meeting leadership to the YAC Chair.

2. YAC Chair, Gina Semenza welcomed to all the YAC members on the call. She then   provided an opportunity for the newest YAC member Rachel Goldmark of California to share information about herself as each new member is asked to do.

3. Report from the Policy Workgroup – Andrew Phillips, new leader for this group indicated that the members completed tasks for the July 25th Next Generation Roundtable planning around the topics of employment and youth leadership; began consideration about areas of the NCD project synopsis to select for YAC involvement providing youth perspectives; began to discuss whether and how to address impact of the ADA on youth; had an initial look into working with the outreach group on a model disability history lesson plan; and discussed a process for developing a paper highlighting youth perspectives on selected issues affecting employment.

4. Report from the Outreach and Networking Workgroup – Leader, Gary Goosman reported that the Mac version of the Assistive Technology fact sheet has been completed.
Current work included a disability history and culture idea for a youth friendly lesson.  This involves collaboration with the Policy workgroup for ways that can lead to states making the determination to make disability history and culture a part of their curriculum. Other efforts are underway to create a certificate and spotlight of the month. The first sharing of YAC materials developed this year for outreach will occur during the July meetings. Documents are included in the packets for roundtable participants and NCD Council Members.

6. Executive Report – Gina Semenza, YAC Chair
The primary area of focus since the last meeting has been the face-to-face time. Packets for dissemination have been completed for YAC members with all details for travel, lodging, procedural meetings beginning the evening of July 24, as well as July 25, 2006 for YAC members.  The afternoon YAC meeting that will also include election of officers on the afternoon of the 25th. In that regard, YAC members who run for office will be given 1 minute to share areas of experience and tell what they bring to the table. The election will take place via ballot (accommodations made as needed) and results will be announced that same day. Betsy Valnes and Dr. Hawkins will verify the election process and outcome.

7. Announcements and comments:

• Thank you was expressed to Reagan Lynch for his earlier work as Policy workgroup leader, especially his willingness to tackle unfinished business. Reagan will remain a member of this workgroup, however.

• All YAC members are invited to the NCD Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday. July26, 2006 in celebration of the 16th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Unprecedented representation of perspectives directly from youth will be provided by Betsy Valnes (SD), Gina Semenza (CA), and Rebecca Hare (DC) who will each serve on different panels.

• The next YAC public meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2007 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

8. Adjournment: The DFO adjourned the public meeting for July 21, 2006 at 3:42PM.