We are teens and young adults with disabilities speaking out. KASA knows youth can make choices and advocate for themselves if they have the information and support they need. Some of us may not have disabilities, but maybe a friend, brother or sister does and we care about them and want to learn more about how to support the disability community. So, read up, join in and pass it on!
Who we are:
KASA believes young people with disabilities will have control over their own lives and futures. We help this happen by teaching youth about their rights, giving peer support and training, and changing the systems that affect our lives to include us. We represent the voice of youth living with disabilities and chronic health conditions by speaking at public events, hearings, to governors and with other policy makers. We also educate medical students and physicians, and fellow students at our schools. We serve as youth advisors to many Family Voices activities at the state and national levels.
What we do:
We model leadership and the power of self-advocacy. We are active in our schools, communities, families and, in some cases, places of employment. We are proud to be who we are. We share our message with other youth who have disabilities or chronic health conditions, and with our friends and peers.
Among our programs:
The National Advisory Board of KASA advises policy for the KASA project as a whole, including activities like the website, newsletter, and possible meetings. This Board serves several purposes: it leads the programming for KASA; it provides an opportunity for youth to sharpen their leadership skills; and it is a valuable resource to the media, professionals and other young adults regarding issues concerning young adults with disabilities.
The KASA Task Force is our peer mentoring group of younger youth who receive training and guide KASA to make sure all we do is youth friendly and accessible.
The Website:
The website for KASA, www.fvkasa.org, is a place where you and your friends can go to learn about subjects like: advocacy, leadership, health care, education, employment, disability history and pride, and much, much more! The KASA Board and our members help determine what will be on the website based upon your input and submissions. We want to hear from you!
Membership is FREE for youth, $15.00 for parents, $30.00 for professionals and $50.00 for organizations [sliding fee scale/lower membership prices are available to those who need it]. You can sign up on our website or call/write to KASA at the phone/address below.
To join, send your name, address, phone number, fax number, and email address (if you have them) to:
KASA/ Family Voices
3701 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Suite 103
Albuquerque, NM 87110
OR you can email us at jthomas@fvkasa.org
OR you can call us at (334) 230-5441
OR you can fax your information to (505) 872-4780
OR you can fill out this form:
