A group of 2019 delegates link arms and crouch down for a dance exercise, smiling .jpg

What is the South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum?

The South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum is a four-day, three-night leadership-intensive experience for youth with all types of disabilities across the state. The goal of SC YLF is to help young adults with disabilities living in South Carolina to become strong leaders and advocates in their communities. Interested? Sign up to become a delegate or join peer staff.

first-time-applicant-sc-ylf — Is this your first time applying for SC YLF? Become a Delegate.

∙ I have a disability, live in South Carolina and fall within the 15-23-year-old age range
∙ I have not attended SC YLF in the past
∙ I show leadership potential at school or in my community
∙ I am motivated to work with peers to carry out new ideas

Apply to become a Delegate

returning-applicant-sc-ylf — Been here before? Consider applying to be on Peer Staff.

∙ I have a disability, live in South Carolina and fall within the 15-23-year-old age range
∙ I’ve been to SC YLF in the past
∙ I show strong leadership skills and a desire to help others grow as leaders
∙ I am interested in planning and leading various activities

Apply to join Peer Staff

South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum Photos from 2022 and 2019

YLF Staffer and YLF Delegate walking outside together, smiling.

YLF delegate, a young Black man wearing the YLF t-shirt, smiles while seated and gestures to the camera.

Speaker, Kimberly Tissot, a white woman with one leg, sits while giving a presentaiton.

YLF delegate and YLF staffer review worksheet together in theater style seated classroom.

Young YLF delegate with beige skin and dark hair poses next to a large banner that reads, 'YLF 2022' and has the signatures and notes from YLF delegates.

Inclusive dance instructor shows YLF delegates how to pose for a move.

YLF delegates and staffers strike a pose next to a frozen ice treat truck.

YLF delegate, a young man with light brown skin wearing the YLF t-shirt, smiles as he passes the camera.

Internationally famous disability rights activist, Judy Huemann, speaks to the delegates via zoom, projected on a screen to a full classroom.

YLF delegate and YLF staffer smile behind facemasks while seated in the classroom.

YLF delegate using a motorized scooter seeks help on a worksheet from a YLF staffer who is blind and using a white cane.

One 2019 delegate looks at the delegate sitting next to him, who has his hand resting on his chin as he looks to the front of the room.

A delegate in a wheelchair looks to YLF staffer Anna Cathryn as they talk.

A delegate in a pink Pokemon shirt holds up a white board with the words “Watch TV” on it

A delegate smiles at the camera and rests her elbows on the table.

A peer staffer sits on a yoga mat, criss-crossed, and looks ahead.

Delegates and staff in motion for a dance exercise.

One delegate throws a yellow frisbee toward another delegate outside from KanJam.

Staffer Dori sits in her wheelchair and speaks and points to her audience with a video playing on screen behind her.

Peer staffer Asha rests her hand on her chin and looks to the front of the room with a Starbucks drink on the table.

YLF delegate, a young white woman with a developmental disability, raises her hand during a presentation.

South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum 2024 Sponsors

South Carolina Youth Leadership Forum 2024 Partners

Frequently Asked Questions: Our Health, Safety, and General Policies

COVID:

Why do protections matter during SC YLF?

Data shows that people with disabilities have a much higher chance of experiencing serious or life-threatening effects after contracting the COVID-19 virus. All programming decisions have been made solely for the purpose of protecting all delegates and staff as the majority of SC YLF participants are people who have a variety of disabilities. Please note, all information below is in alignment with safety standards to protect people with disabilities*.

*To learn more about COVID-19 and people with disabilities, please visit the SC Disability Vaccine Access Network: https://disabilityvaccine.able-sc.org

Will there be a COVID-19 vaccine requirement to attend the event?

COVID Tests and instructions will be mailed before the event. Delegates must show proof of a negative at-home COVID test taken within 72 hours of the start of the event by submitting a photo via text to 1-210-415-5233 or emailing a photo to ylf@able-sc.org.

Will there be a mask requirement during the event?

Masks will be optional for delegates, peer Staff, and SC YLF staff for the duration of the event. KN95 Masks and Accessible Masks will be available on-site.

Will there be testing available during the event?

If you show symptoms related to COVID-19 (continued cough, fever, tiredness, and loss of taste or smell ), you will be required to take a COVID Test and have your temperature checked by nursing staff.

What happens if I or someone else become sick at SC YLF?

If you or someone else attending SC YLF becomes sick, we will ask that you leave or be picked up to avoid getting other delegates sick. We will have a place for you to stay while you wait for transportation, and nursing staff will be available to assist with any medical needs in the meantime.

We will begin contact tracing for anyone who had direct contact with anyone who tests positive during the event and then follow the same procedures for testing for them.

What other measures will be taken to ensure the safety of all participants and staff?

Hand washing and sanitizing will be practiced throughout the event.
All materials will be sanitized before use.
A binder will be given to each delegate before the start of the event with all paper materials needed. Delegates will not share binders.
Each participant will have their own private bedroom within a dorm suite, with staff supervision.
Campus housekeeping will clean and sanitize all spaces that will be used during the event, including classrooms and accommodations. Once ready, these areas will not be accessed 24 hours before the event begins

General:

What does a typical SC YLF day look like?

While there is no ‘typical’ YLF day, participants can look forward to a variety of fun and interactive sessions and activities, guest speaker sessions, and lots of opportunities to socialize with other participants and staff.

Who will be attending the event?

SC YLF is a statewide event, meaning participation is open to anyone living in South Carolina who meets the eligibility criteria. The event will be fully staffed, including registered nurses to administer any necessary medications. Personal care assistants (PCAs) are available to participants by request.

How much does it cost to attend?

There is no cost to attend! All event materials, accommodations, and food will be provided. That’s right, FREE!

Will transportation to and from the event be provided?

Transportation to the event will not be provided. We ask that you find a way to be dropped off for the beginning of the event, and a way to be picked up at the end.

*If transportation to and from the event is an issue, please reach out to YLF staff at ylf@able-sc.org.

Where will I sleep?

Accommodations will be ‘apartment style’. Four private bedrooms will share one living room area. Each ‘apartment’ will house 3 participants and 1 staff member.

Will you provide linens for the dorm bed?

We encourage you to bring your own twin long bed sheets. We have extras if you forget!

What if I take medications or need assistance with daily living activities?

There will be a team of registered nurses present for the entire event. Medicine and medicine schedules will be turned over to the nursing team upon check in and will be stored safely. Nursing staff will distribute medicine according to schedules. Medicines will be returned to participants during check out.

Personal care assistants (PCAs) to assist with activities of daily living are available upon request at zero cost to the participant.

Details about personal care needs will be requested in the acceptance packet. All medication and personal care needs can be explained to nursing and PCA staff during drop-off.

Substance Use Policy

Possession or use of alcohol, tobacco (including electronic nicotine devices), or illegal substances is strictly prohibited. Prescription or approved medication will be locked and stored with a certified medical professional.

Additional Safety Measures

We will have a comprehensive emergency plan in place to make sure all delegates are safe and accounted for in the event of an emergency. During the first day of SC YLF we will go over safety measures such as fire drills and what to do in the case of an emergency.

Do I have to attend all the sessions?

Yes, we encourage you to attend every session while at SC YLF and stay for the entire four days. However, we know there are some exceptions, please reach out to SC YLF staff upon acceptance to discuss any personal conflicts you may have.