Mission

Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC) gives a voice and a face to Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. We seek to help break down the service and cultural barriers faced by APIs with disabilities, to provide knowledge to APIs with disabilities and their families, and to create a community network for empowerment and independence.

Key to our mission is the development of the next generation of leaders—youth with disabilities.

Seeking College Students for
2018 Youth Leadership Institute

2017 Youth Leadership Institute training

APIDC’s Youth Leadership Institute is aimed at training college students to become advocates for APIs with disabilities. We seek young adults from all walks of life and ethnicities who have a passion for empowering APIs with disabilities.

The Youth Leadership Institute focuses on a combination of developing grassroots leadership skills and providing a safe space for mutual sharing and learning. Participants are selected from a broad variety of backgrounds who show a strong potential to become future leaders.

Qualities of an Institute Participant

Have a strong desire to learn from others
Demonstrate an ability and willingness to share best practices and lessons learned
Be open minded to different ways of thinking
Have a desire to share their own story about their experience with disabilities
Be committed to implementing a community initiative 1 year within training completion
Be committed in staying in touch with APIDC

What to expect during the program

Interactive discussions on grassroots leadership, topics including:
- API/Disability Rights History
- Advocacy
- Coalition Building
- Communication/Networking Skills
- Public Speaking Skills
- Basic Employability Skills
Opportunities to discuss how your involvement in the community and the issues that you wish to address or learn more about
Free time to interact with other participants

Are you eligible to apply?

Be at least 18 years of age
Show a track record of involvement in the disability community
Show an interest in advocating for APIs with disabilities
Attend college and have a high school diploma, GED or equivalent

Selection Criteria

Proven track record of participating in community activities
Demonstrated leadership skills and an interest in community service
Demonstrated ability to relate to people of other cultures and backgrounds
Expressed interest in developing and sustaining a community initiative
Leadership potential
Willingness to do public speaking
An energetic, positive attitude

Finalists will be invited to an interview with the selection committee.

When is the Youth Leadership Institute?

There are two main components to the Youth Leadership Institute:

The training workshops will take place on Sundays, April 15, 22, 29 with a full day of training each day. A graduation ceremony will take place in June.
Full attendance of all 3 workshops is required.
After the training series, participants will have 1 year to utilize their learned skills to implement a disabilities initiative in their campus or community.

What is the cost?

There is no application fee for applicants. Participants may apply for a scholarship to cover program-related expenses such as transportation.

Application Components

To complete your application please submit the following information:

A completed application
A short essay no more than 1 page single spaced (prompt on the application form)
Two letters of recommendation from adults not related to you and know you well enough to talk about your leadership abilities, character, and ability to handle situations under pressure

Applications for our 2018 Program are now available.

Download 2018 YLI Application (Word version) or 2018 YLI Application (PDF version)

Application deadline has been extended to March 23, 2018.

For information or application, please email yli.apidc@gmail.com or call (213) 207-6838.

We thank our generous sponsors:

2019 Statewide Disabilities Conference

APIDC will be hosting its 6th Statewide Disabilities Conference at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa in Anaheim, March 8-9, 2019.

Our conferences have focused on ways to educate not only Asians and Pacific Islanders with disabilities and their families on how to better access resources, but also to educate health providers on the specific barriers facing APIs with disabilities, to ensure the provision of culturally competent health systems.

The 2016 Conference (see 2016 Program Brochure) involved 19 breakout sessions, over 90 speakers, 32 exhibitors, and over 200 attendees each day. Highlights of the Conference included keynote remarks by consumers with disabilities, the post graduate accomplishments of the Youth Leadership Institute graduates, and 8 elected officials who participated in a town hall style “listening session” where they learned first-hand from consumers about the challenges facing Asians and Pacific Islanders with disabilities.

For more questions about the Conference, please contact Johnna Cho at jcho.apidc@gmail.com

APIDC’s Fourth Annual Gala

APIDC’s festive Fourth Annual Gala on November 18, 2017 at the Cicada Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, celebrated our inaugural Walk N Roll Disability Awareness Fair in October, and recognized Wendy Shiba as recipient of our inaugural Volunteer Award.

First Walk n Roll Disability Awareness Fair

APIDC held it’s first Walk n Roll Disability Awareness Fair, a festive community fair in celebration of Disability Awareness Month, on October 15 at The Alhambra. This first of its kind event featured educational activity booths designed and staffed by APIDC’s Youth Leadership Institute graduates, entertainment by people with disabilities, resource tables, food vendors, and a fun Walk/Run sponsored by local bar associations and community organizations.