Youth Leadership Academy

The next YLA takes place in July 2025.

Check back in January 2025. We will have info about recruitment and the application process. You can also sign up for updates.

1. You must live in Virginia.
2. You must be a sophomore, junior or senior in high school. If you are in a program that does not have grade levels, you should go to high school for at least one more year.
3. You must show leadership potential at your school and in your community.
4. You must have a developmental disability OR have another type of disability. (60% of YLA participants must have a developmental disability.)

A “developmental disability” (DD) is severe and constant. A DD is often lifelong. It can be mental, emotional, sensory or physical. A person has a DD before age 22. It affects a person’s ability to:

• take care of oneself
• understand language
• communicate
• learn
• move
• self-direct
• live independently
• earn money and support oneself.

People with DD often need services and supports. They may need services and supports their whole lives.

YLA selects 25 students through a competitive application process.

We review all applications. Then we choose some applicants for a personal interview. We make final choices after that. We will call and send a letter to students selected to attend YLA.

We pay for everything related to YLA. This includes lodging, food, materials and the support that you need. Support can be sign language interpreters, personal care assistants or something else.

Remember: Your YLA application must be sent in by the due date. Check back in January 2025 for more information. You can also sign up for updates.

Delegates work on activities together. They grow personally, become better leaders and think about their future careers. They also build their social skills. They join with others in small groups. They have a great time with friends and role models.

YLA invites speakers to talk about important topics. Topics include laws that protect people with disabilities, cool new technology and places in the community that can help.

Delegates visit the state Capitol. At the Capitol, they meet lawmakers and other government people. They even get to speak up about what’s important to them. The event is called a mock hearing. Lawmakers will be at the mock hearing.

YLA Delegates graduate from the program. They become YLA Alumni. These Alumni go back to their schools and communities. They show the new skills that they learned.

Alumni continue to work on the goals that they chose for themselves. They share their experience with fellow students. Alumni help to recruit new YLA Delegates.

YLA Alumni participate in activities and discussions with other YLA Alumni. Each year, we ask YLA Alumni to take a survey. We want to stay in contact and know what they’re doing.

We need volunteers. Volunteers help to make sure that YLA Delegates have a successful time. Volunteers help plan and prepare for YLA. They help find and select students for the program. During the summer camp, volunteers serve as staff, speakers, panel members, mentors or dorm parents. Volunteers come from different places, such as the community, agencies and organizations. Volunteers are YLA or Partners in Policymaking alumni.