Special awards recognize disabled youth

Today, children and youth with disabilities contribute to schools and communities. Many perform volunteer work, excel in academics and the arts, compete on sports teams and hold jobs.

Experts attribute the trend to educational opportunities for students with special needs, the determination and drive of these students and a growing awareness of their abilities.

For example, the "Yes I Can Foundation for Exceptional Children" designs and implements programs for children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.

Each year, it partners with the Council for Exceptional Children to present the "Yes I Can Awards," which honors children with disabilities who’ve made significant achievements. Twenty-seven international winners are selected for their accomplishments in: academics, the arts, athletics, community service, employment, extracurricular activities, independent living skills and more.

Each winner is recognized individually at the ceremony. His or her name is read along with a description of accomplishments. Winners are presented with a "Yes I Can" statue, a letter from the president of the United States and more.

Candidates must be between 2 and 21 years old at the time of their nomination and each candidate must be nominated by two individuals (both nominators must select the same category for the candidate and send their nominations in one package). Candidates can only be nominated for one category.

All nominees receive a certificate recognizing their accomplishments.

For more information, visit www.cec.sped.org.

This story was provided by the North American Precis Syndicate.