CHILD-BRIGHT's National Youth Advocacy Council, or NYAC, is composed of research partners under 30 living with brain-based developmental disabilities.
They’re helping to move the needle on doing research with (not just for) people with lived and living experience of disability. We’ve dubbed them our Lived & Living Experience Leaders!
This spring and summer, we highlighted their pivotal work at CHILD-BRIGHT as consultants and co-researchers in a LinkedIn-exclusive series. Now, you can read all 10 profiles here!
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“[Self-advocacy] is about being vocal and creating representation for people with disabilities.”
“I’d like to see more youth with disabilities taking the lead on research projects.”
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“When it comes to health research, marginalized groups need to be included in the conversation.”
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“[Being part of the NYAC has] helped me a lot. I have people I can talk to.”
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“Even though I’ve spent a lot of time studying neurotypical social interactions, it can be hard. I don’t always understand ironic jokes or innuendos. It’s a daily challenge.”
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“We live in a world that doesn’t always give people like me the opportunity to speak for themselves.”
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“You wouldn’t create a product without consulting with consumers. We’ve been making these research products that didn’t involve the end users.”
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“I think it’s important to look at brain and mental health using an intersectional lens.”
“Being unapologetically myself allows other marginalized people to identify me as a safe person, which means I can help advocate on their behalf.”
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“I’ve embraced my autistic traits. In embracing them, I’m able to be a better self-advocate.”
Child health researchers can engage the NYAC as part of CHILD-BRIGHT’s Lived and Living Experience Consultation Service. Learn more and submit a request for consultation on your research project:
Tommy Akinnawonu
Member, National Youth Advocacy Council
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