"Only in community can we discover the best course of action, claim our power, and act in unity."
-Margo Adair and Sharon Howell
Young adults between 20 - 35 represent the time most people with disabilities lose connection to existing leadership programs because they either age out of the school system (age 26) or graduate from college. As a result, this cohort is under represented in most leadership efforts. It is critical that we engage them, because they not only represent the next generation of potential leaders, but also are at a prime developmental stage for developing their identity and skills as a leader.
Building Alliances for Disability Leadership (BAD-L), funded by Michigan State University Families And Communities Together Coalition) is an initiative to focus on this cohort of new leaders for the disability rights movement. We use ideas and methods from grassroots leadership development as well as corporate, government, and non-profit leadership programs. We believe we offer a unique approach to building leadership skills by supporting the efforts of people with disabilities to assume leadership with a sense of pride and power. Our vision is a cadre of people with disabilities who lead the next generation in building a completely inclusive society.
Our pilot test of the model and curriculum is located in two Michigan communities: Lansing and Flint.
BAD-L is funded by Michigan State University Families And Communities Together Coalition.
BAD-L is a collaborative effort of several organizations including:
For more information on these collaborating partners, visit the organizations involved section of the website.