Panhandle Independent Living Center
Amarillo, Texas

Five CIL staff and four VR staff attended a new and improved version of the pilot training in Amarillo on December 6-8, 2007. The agenda for this training, modified using input from the Corpus Christi participants, can be found in the Curricula section.

After participating in the Zodiac game and brainstorming using Green Hat thinking, the Amarillo participants developed a vision statement:

I have a dream where youth with disabilities in the Panhandle set the precedent for Texas to live in harmony in the community.
I see a world where all youth with disabilities will have the opportunity to reach for the stars in every aspect in life and are empowered to control their own destiny,
Where they firmly believe in themselves and their own abilities;
Where family and society are enlightened to empower youth with disabilities;
Where youth with disabilities will have confidence in their own abilities;
Where youth with disabilities become mentors, role models and leaders;
Where all barriers are broken down in attaining housing, healthcare, employment, education and recreation;
Where public transportation is available and affordable to all in both rural and metropolitan areas;
Where technology and medical advances enable inclusion in all activities and all aspects of life;
Where all youth with disabilities can make choices, mistakes and enjoy successes;
Where all youth with disabilities as they mature will have the choice to date, marry, and have families of their own as responsible contributors to the community;
Where all youth with disabilities can experience all seasons of life.


The Amarillo group identified outreach to young people with disabilities as their primary goal and established some objectives and tasks under that goal, including involving the Panhandle Transition Coalition in working toward the vision, identifying potential youth leaders, and sponsoring a transition fair.

Some of the other “wild ideas” which may be developed later included starting satellite youth programs using youth leaders in rural communities, having a youth area on the PILC Web site, and having a youth-produced radio program.
 

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