NFB Youth Slam
A nationwide, week-long residential STEM program from the National Federation of the Blind that empowers blind and low-vision high schoolers to explore science and engineering, build leadership skills, and connect with blind mentors and peers. The next Slam runs July 25-31, 2027.
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California Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)
A free, week-long residential leadership program in Sacramento for California high schoolers with disabilities. Delegates take part in workshops, mock legislative sessions, and guest speakers covering self-advocacy, postsecondary education, career readiness, and public policy.
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Programs
San Francisco-based LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers year-round social, recreational, and educational programming for blind and low-vision children and teens to build skills and peer connections.
BORP Youth Sports Program
Berkeley-based Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) offers year-round competitive and recreational adaptive sports for children and teens with physical disabilities, including wheelchair basketball, power soccer, sled hockey, and goalball, with travel to regional and national tournaments.
Californians for Justice - Oakland Youth Organizing
A grassroots youth-power organization training Oakland high schoolers (with focus on LGBTQ, foster, low-income, and immigrant youth) as community organizers, through weekly meetings, a five-week Summer Youth Leadership Academy, a fall Leadership Bootcamp, and a statewide spring retreat.
GLSEN National Student Council
A paid national leadership program in which LGBTQ+ and allied high school students advise GLSEN on its programs, resources, and school-safety strategy. Members meet regularly, give feedback on GLSEN's work, and lead advocacy projects in their own communities.
Junior NAD
A national youth-led organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 7-12 that runs school-based chapters and a national conference to build leadership, self-advocacy, and citizenship skills.