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Youth Leadership Forum

We want to help you lead your life. At YLF, you will spend a week on a college campus with other students who have a disability and are from Oklahoma. You'll participate in activities to help you improve your leadership and advocacy skills, explore career options, meet with state legislators, create a leadership plan to reach YOUR GOOD LIFE and so much more!

YLF is an intense educational and motivational week held every summer on a university campus. Student will work in small and large groups, create their own personal leadership plans and work to identify resources that  can help them achieve their goals. The MOST FUN EVER activities are included as part of the goal to teach you about leading a well-rounded life.

Our Speakers address topics such as disability rights laws, innovations in technology, community resources, legislative processes, and much more! Delegates meet state and national leaders and will spend time at the state capitol meeting government officials.

YLF is for students with disabilities! 

It is critical students with disabilities identify themselves with pride, as individuals and as members of their community. YLF offers students with common experiences the opportunity to learn from each other in a framework of history and an atmosphere of encouragement.

10th, 11th, and 12th grade students with disabilities are chosen through a statewide competition that looks for students who have leadership potential. Submit your application by March 1!  The application includes an essay and letters of recommendation. Essays can be written or recorded in a video. Applicants will also complete an online interview.  Delegates and Alternates will be selected to attend. Delegates are representative of Oklahoma in terms of geography, gender, economic status, ethnicity, and types of disabilities.

All costs are paid by the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma.  Transportation costs can be reimbursed as requested.

The Oklahoma Youth Leadership Forum enables youth with disabilities to grow personally, socially and academically, and to fulfill their potential in their work and lives. Every student should have this opportunity.

To be eligible to attend, a student must complete an application, be an Oklahoma resident in the 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Complete the online application or download the application below.  Call our office, (405) 521-4984, to request an application be mailed or emailed to you. Applications can be audio, video, written, or a mixture of audio, video, written, as long as all parts of the application are received.  References may be emailed or mailed to the address below. 

Return your application via US Mail or Email by March 1 to:

Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma
C/O YLF
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-9975

If you are interested in serving as a YLF Staff Member (teacher, nursing staff, support staff, and returning alumni), please complete our online application. 

If you need help with the application or have any questions, please email Bradley.Mays@okdhs.org. Do not let your questions stop you from having this opportunity! Ask us!

Last Modified on Mar 13, 2023
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