NH Leadership Series Class of '07

This year’s NH Leadership Series provided leadership training to 35 parents of individuals with disabilities, adults with disabilities, and New Hampshire Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NH-LEND) trainees from September 2006 through April 2007. Participants learned about the history of the disability movement in NH, creating a vision for themselves and their family members, best practices in the field, negotiation skills, community organizing strategies, using the media to affect change, and understanding and utilizing the legislative process to achieve change.

At the graduation ceremony in April, participants were asked to define their commitment to using their skills and lessons learned at Leadership. Among the action group presentations and outcomes were “A Menu for Success - Recreation for All,” a “cookbook” of strategies related to accessible recreation opportunities, a review of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and development of recommendations for NH’s state rules and implementation, and “Environmental Hazards and Their Impact on your Family,” a website which is accessible through the Leadership website.

“I know that in my new position I will readily draw upon the knowledge and skills that I have acquired through Leadership,” said Michelle Jarvis, President of the NH Autism Society and 2007 Leadership graduate. “Beyond my current endeavors, I cannot say what my future holds. I do believe, however, that my opinionated assertiveness will be tempered with growing wisdom and thoughtful judgment; I will always question others and, just as importantly, myself; I will evolve - but not conform; and I will be as hungry for knowledge as I am for power.”

For more information on the NH Leadership Series, visit www.nhleadership.org.