The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) will be hosting a series of listening sessions in which youth ages 16-24 who have developmental disabilities and live in D.C. wards 5 – 8 will have the opportunity to discuss barriers to civic engagement and share their ideas and solutions to address those barriers. IEL also seeking youth who represent the intersection of disability and other identities—including gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, culture and language, and socioeconomic status.

IEL listening sessions will start in September. IEL will provide a democratic and safe space for youth to share what they think and feel among peers. The goal is to co-facilitate with community partners and co-design with the listening session participants to create a blueprint for civic engagement for youth with disabilities.

More details can be found in this flier – Innovation Project Flyer (2)