E-Community Activity: Advice from Teens

Send this message to the e-community of protégés and mentors.

Subject: Advice from teens

Success means different things to different people, and people find it in different ways. Read the following advice from people with disabilities who have been successful personally, socially, academically, and/or professionally. Post a message with advice you would add to the list.

• Don't let others inhibit your dreams.
• Define success for yourself.
• Set goals. Keep your expectations high.
• Don't let your disability or other challenges dictate your goals.
• Look at obstacles as challenges that can be creatively avoided or overcome, in full or in part.
• Develop strategies to reach your goals.
• Plan to work harder than your peers to achieve some goals.
• Become an expert on your abilities and disabilities, how they impact your life, and what accommodations work for you.
• Play to your strengths.
• Use technology as an empowering tool.
• Don't be afraid to fail; you need to take risks to succeed.
• Ask for help when you need it.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Don't use life challenges, such as a disability or family background, as an excuse for failure.
• Find the humor in life's experiences.