Please complete and sign this application. This application must be completed by the Rising Leader (RL) applicant.

Please note the following requirements for the Rising Leader Training:

Young adults ages 18–25 can train to be Rising Leaders. Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age by March 2nd, 2027. They may or may not have a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome (TS) or another Tic Disorder (TD). Rising Leaders should have an interest in educating others about TS and TD, supporting the mission of the Tourette Association of America, and serving as a mentor to younger ambassadors. Applicants should be comfortable with public speaking, have strong communication skills, and be willing to share their experiences through advocacy and education efforts. Preference will be given to applicants with prior TS and TD outreach, education, or advocacy experience.

Learn more about the TAA Rising Leader Program.
Note: Please be aware that funding for this program is granted to individuals living in the United States. If you are interested in this program and you live outside of the United States, you have the full responsibility for paying for travel, hotel, and meals.
Demographics

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1. First Name (Required.)

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2. Last Name (Required.)

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3. Date of Birth (Required.)

Date

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4. Please enter the age you will be on March 1, 2027. (Required.)

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5. Please specify your sex. (Required.)

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6. Please specify your race. (Required.)

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7. Address (Required.)

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8. Address Line 2

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9. City (Required.)

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10. State (Required.)

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11. Zip Code (Required.)

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12. Email Address (Required.)

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13. Phone Number (Required.)

Additional Information

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14. How did you hear about the TAA Rising Leader Program? (Required.)

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15. Do you have a diagnosis of TS? (Required.)

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16. Did you train to be a TAA Youth Ambassador? (Required.)

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17. If yes, what year were you trained?

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18. Education (Required.)

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19. If you are currently in college or a trade school, please provide the name of your college or trade school and your major.

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20. Occupation

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21. Do you have a sibling, family member, or friend that is a Youth Ambassador, Rising Leader, or Junior Youth Ambassador? If so, what is their name and what year were they trained?

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22. Have you done any in-person or virtual presentations on TS? If so, to what age groups and what type of groups? (Required.)

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23. If applicable, please include links to any news media or articles written about you, or a video of you educating about TS.

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24. What personal experiences, skills, or qualities do you think might assist in your success as a Rising Leader? (Required.)

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25. Do you belong to a local TAA Chapter or TAA Support Group? (Required.)

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26. Do you have any previous involvement with a TAA Chapter and/or TAA Support Group? If so, please describe.

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27. Have you been involved in any Tourette Association of America activities or events? If so, please list the event(s), what your involvement was, and how much time you have spent on the event/activity.

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28. Have you ever organized or led any school, college, work, or community events? If yes, please list the event (s) and what your involvement was.

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29. Have you been involved in any community service? If so, please list the name and your involvement.

My Story - In the space below, please reflect on your journey with Tourette Syndrome and how this has led you to want to become a leader in advocating for and raising awareness on Tourette Syndrome and other Tic Disorders.

Include in your essay:

o Do you or someone you know have a diagnosis of TS or another Tic Disorder?
o Why do you want to become a Rising Leader?
o Tell us about a time when you advocated for yourself or someone else with TS or a Tic Disorder.
o How do you think this training will support your professional development?
o How are you committed to this training and to doing TS advocacy work after this training?
o How do you plan to stay connected with the TAA after this training?
o Anything else important you would like us to know about you.

Parameters of your story:

Please write your story below. Your story should be 250-500 words. (This is the equivalent of one page either single or double spaced).

Speech-to-Text:
If you need assistance completing this application, there are free speech-to-text tools available that may help you fill in the blanks for the written portions of this application.

o Aiko: https://sindresorhus.com/aiko
o Whisper: https://www.usewhisper.io/
o Google Docs Voice Typing: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/4492226

Note: Your story will be shared in a 2027 Rising Leader Storybook. Please check your spelling and grammar. Rising Leader stories will be kept as close to the original as possible; however, some editing may occur for the purpose of publication, and the final product may not be in the same format or contain all of the components submitted.

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30. My Story (250-500 words) (Required.)

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31. Photo (Required.)

*Stories and photos must be submitted at the time of application. A completed story and submitted photo are required for the applicant to be considered for an interview with the TAA. The interview is the next step in the Rising Leader application process.
Letter of Recommendation (Optional)

We’d love for someone (age 18+) who knows you well to share why you’d be a great fit for the 2027 TAA Rising Leader Program. Letters of Recommendation can be from a coach, teacher, community leader, medical provider, mentor, and more.

Please have the identified adult send their letter of recommendation to ya@tourette.org. Be sure to include the candidate’s first and last name in the subject line.
Language and Accessibility Questions

The following health and accessibility questions are included to help our team prepare for your participation and better understand any accommodations or support needs you may have. Your responses to these questions will not impact the review or selection of your application in any way. This information is collected solely to help our team plan appropriately and support a safe, accessible, and inclusive experience for all participants.

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32. What is your primary language? (Required.)

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33. What is your preferred language for communication? (Required.)

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34. Do you require language/material accommodations to participate effectively? (i.e. American Sign Language, Larger Text, Captions, etc.) (Required.)

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35. If selected, will you be attending with any mobility aids or accessibility supports? (Examples may include a cane, walker, wheelchair, or service dog)

Note: This question does NOT impact the application selection process. This information is only used to help our team prepare and support accessibility needs during this event. (Required.)

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36. If selected, do you have any dietary needs, food allergies, or medical accommodations our team should be aware of?

Note: This question does NOT impact the application selection process. This information is only used to help our team prepare and support accessibility needs during this event. (Required.)

Media Participation Release

I hereby irrevocably grant to the Tourette Association of America and to its employees, agents, and assigns, the right to photograph and/or video record and use pictures, silhouettes, videos and other reproductions of me and/or my children's physical likeness (including potentially televised both locally and nationally) for educational, informational, promotional, charitable, and fundraising activities for the Tourette Association of America and its Chapters and Support Groups and inclusion on, but not limited to the Tourette Association of America's website, YouTube channel, and all other social media sites. I hereby certify and represent that I have read the foregoing and fully understand the meaning and effect thereof and, intending to be legally bound, I have hereunto set my hand.

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37. I agree to the Media Participation Release. Please initial. (Required.)

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38. I have read over the requirements to be a Rising Leader in this application in its entirety and understand the time commitment to prepare and train for the Rising Leader Program. I am prepared to attend the training, commit post-training to the advocacy and awareness that I’ve been trained on, and remain involved with the TAA. Please initial. (Required.)

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39. I understand and agree that the applicant cannot repeat a level of training and must be aged 18-25 for the training on March 2, 2027. Please initial. (Required.)

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40. I understand and agree to attend the required Zoom meeting on a date to be determined in December prior to the Rising Leader Training to review important program information and event expectations. Please initial. (Required.)

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41. I have read and agree to the TAA Event Terms and Conditions. Please initial. (Required.)

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42. I want to learn about upcoming TAA events and initiatives via email. (Required.)

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43. Please sign by typing your full name. (Required.)

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