My name is Vianey, I am 25 years old and in a blink of an eye things happen, life changes and decisions are made. I've been through so many challenges and each and every time I've had the right people in the right moment lend me a hand and help me up and above my challenges. I learn from my experiences and now use those to be able to lend a hand in the same way many have done to me. I feel privileged to be surrounded by great people and leaders who share that same vision and that provide me with the tools, support and I look to sharpen my skills to continue to help and contribute in a greater scale.

Youth Advisory Council (YO! YAC) Vianey G. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers – Sacramento, CA

My name is Jamie. I currently attend Ohlone college in Fremont (major undecided). I've been a part of YO! For 3 years and I love it. I'm also a part of the YAC! I decided to get involved because I love helping and being a strong youth advocate for all types of people. I'm also involved with CRIL in Hayward, through them I help lead a Disability Action Network for Youth group (DANY) in my hometown in Fremont. There are two chapters. One in Hayward as well. DANY mainly teaches disabled youth advocacy skills and how to be more independent. I've been involved in Hayward DANY for about 3 years to. I started the Fremont Chapter of DANY late last year. I am also helping at my school as a Peer Mentor where we help advise the freshmen and give them placement tests and campus tours. I am very involved in that way too!

Youth Advisory Council (YO! YAC) Jamie C. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers – Sacramento, CA

Maddy is from Silver Spring, MD and is a senior at Scripps College in Claremont, CA, where she majors in American Studies and minors in Media Studies. At Scripps, Maddy works at the writing center and is the president/co-founder of the Disability Illness and Difference Alliance (DIDA), the disabled students organization on campus. Maddy is a former intern in the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) summer internship program, where she worked in the office of Congressman Alan Grayson.

Youth Advisory Council (YO! YAC) Maddy R. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers – Sacramento, CA

My name is Sarai and I am 20 years old. I live in Anaheim California and attend Chapman University where I am a double major in Integrated Educational Studies and Spanish with a minor in Disability Studies. I am a full-time student, full-time advocate, and part-time service clerk. I was first introduced to YO! Disabled and Proud when I had the opportunity to attend the Youth Leadership Forum for students with disabilities and have been a part of YO! since then. I became part of the YO! Youth Advisory Council to be part of the change that society makes in the future. I want to aid people with disabilities in any way I can in order to gain independence, educate society, and gain equality in every shape and form.

Youth Advisory Council (YO! YAC) Sarai U. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers – Sacramento, CA

Hello, my name is Nellie. I am 23 years old, live in Sacramento and attend Sacramento City College. I love being an advocate for the disability community and spending time with my family. I am so excited to be a part of the YO! Youth Advisory Council because I have been involved with YO! for five years now, working on campaigns and volunteering and now I would like to pass the torch down to new youth and help advise the council on what re the current issues for youth in our community.

Youth Advisory Council (YO! YAC) Penelope D. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers – Sacramento, CA

Growing up, my only aspirations were to be a student and an athlete. I had no clue what it meant to be a disability advocate and had no interest in pursuing anything related to it. My name is Ania. I live in Monterey, CA. I am an athlete, student, and a grateful member of YO! Disabled and Proud. If it weren't for my co-workers and mentors at YO! Disabled and Proud and the Youth Leadership Forum, I wouldn't be here today fighting for my and other peoples rights as individuals with disabilities. I have served on a few disability rights campaigns and have interned at my local independent living center. Through experiences in advocacy work, I have gained a confidence in myself as a person with a disability that I never would have seen had I just stuck with athletics and academics. I am proud of who I am and look forward to what the future holds in disability advocacy.

Youth Advisory Council (YO! YAC) Ania F. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers – Sacramento, CA

Hi I'm Mohamed and I am 21 years old. I live in Stanislaus county Modesto area and have worked at Disability Resource Agency for Independent Living (DRAIL) for a year helping out around the office while also helping people find services. I chose to be on the Youth Advisory Council because it seems fun and I'll get to learn more about our history as a community.

Youth Advisory Council (YO! YAC) Mohamed R. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers – Sacramento, CA

My name is Alex Bland. I'm 21 years old and I'm from Windsor/Santa Rosa California. I'm on the cross-country team at Santa Rosa Junior College. I love collecting music,books, learning about the humanities and anthropology, and spending time with my little niece and nephew.(And any baby/small child I can find.)I decided to serve on the YO! YAC because I'm invested in finding ways to help people with disabilities succeed in higher education and equalizing the opportunities available to reach our personal goals.

Youth Advisory Council (YO! YAC) Alex B. California Foundation for Independent Living Centers – Sacramento, CA