YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (YLA)

BECOME A VOICE

THAT CREATES CHANGE

Do you want to learn about being a leader? If so, the Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) is for you! YLA is a way to connect with peers with disabilities and learn leadership skills. Spend two hours per day for five days this summer and gain skills for a lifetime. All sessions are virtual and FREE! 

At YLA you will learn:

• How to become a leader,
• How to advocate for yourself and others,
• What you can do, and
• What you are capable of.

Build Leadership Skills

• Goal Setting
• Networking
• Mentoring
• Self-Determination
• Disability Rights
• Advocacy and Civic Engagement

SCHEDULE

YLA Training on Zoom

July 27-31, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Service Day and Graduation Ceremony

• August 4, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines
• FREE for students, parents, and family members!

Get involved and make a difference with your fellow YLA students, alumni, leaders and mentors at The Arc of Iowa’s Inclusive Zoo Day 2026.

Agenda:

• 9:00 a.m. - Volunteer helping Iowans with disabilities and their families enjoy the zoo event
• 12:00 p.m. - Lunch and YLA Graduation Certificate Ceremony
• 1:00 p.m. – Leisure and fun time at the zoo

Special program just for parents at 10:00 a.m.

Family members are invited to this in-person event taking place in Des Moines. A virtual option will also be available.

* American Sign Language will be made available. *

QUESTIONS?

Contact: Carlyn Crowe

Phone: (515) 201-8151

Email: carlyn.crowe@hhs.iowa.gov

YLA is for youth and young adults with disabilities ages 14–21.

Application and letter of recommendation required. Fifteen students will be accepted. We hope it’s you!

Download YLA Brochure

Empowering Young Leaders

In 2026, Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) graduated its seventh leadership class. This year’s 13 students spent one week together in interactive, online programming, which also included plenty of dance breaks and time to get to know each other’s favorite activities, social media apps, music and video games!

The serious programming included setting leadership goals so they can plan for how they want to make a difference in their community and in the world!

YLA Was A Training Ground for These Student

Council Leaders

Four students who have graduated from YLA in the past three years have gone on to be elected to leadership positions in the UI REACH program at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

“YLA is a great training ground for our students. Not only do they learn what it means to be a leader, they come away with confidence and know that their involvement means they will make a difference here at UI REACH and at home in their communities,” said William Loyd, Director of the UI REACH Program.

Parents of YLA Alumni Praise the Program

• “It was very worthwhile. Everything he read about was new for him.”
• "He can see himself in a bigger role in society."
• “It helped my son connect better with his peers and community.”
• “It gave her an opportunity to have her voice heard, learn from others experiences, and learn how to better advocate for herself.”
• "She learned that she is already a leader. She gained new confidence in herself as an advocate."