Free summit for students with disabilities cultivates their superpower

  • ESD

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High school students with disabilities have a superpower: their voice.

That’s what the Youth Empowerment Summit aims to teach students attending this free virtual event on Aug. 1, 2025, 1 – 4 p.m. 

Colorful flyer showing a group of people marching in support of disability rights. Includes the GCDE logo and the words "Youth Empowerment Summit."

“The summit is a workshop for high school students with disabilities to learn about and practice self-advocacy,” said Elaine Stefanowicz of the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE). GCDE is hosting and organizing the event.

The summit also is about disability justice and combating ableism, Stefanowicz said. Ableism is prejudice against people with disabilities. It’s the belief that the abilities of people who are not disabled are superior. 

Students who attend the 3-hour summit will hear guest speakers and have a chance to share their own stories about ableism and disability pride. The GCDE will give a presentation about the history of the disability rights movement. Attendees will learn how to get involved in the movement and how to speak up for themselves.

Students have registered from White Salmon, Vancouver, Ridgefield, Richland, Tacoma, Seattle, Centralia, Olympia, Bremerton, Walla Walla and Longview. Join them! Register by July 18!

See the full agenda on the Zoom registration form.

The GCDE will provide ASL interpreters and CART captioning at the event.

For more information and questions, email Stefanowicz at elaine.stefanowicz@esd.wa.gov or call her at 360-890-3774.