A Gateway to Advocacy, Leadership, and Opportunity in Arkansas
Pathways is the entry point into NextGen Advocacy Arkansas (NGAA)—the place where your journey as a self-advocate begins. More than an application process, Pathways is a guided introduction to who we are, what we stand for, and how you can play an active role in shaping the future of disability advocacy in Arkansas.
We designed Pathways as a bridge, connecting people with disabilities to meaningful opportunities for leadership, collaboration, and growth. Whether you’re taking your first step into advocacy or ready to develop your skills at the executive level, Pathways ensures you’re supported every step of the way.
Pathways serves as NGAA’s admissions and orientation program. It helps identify each applicant’s goals, strengths, and aspirations, and matches them to the right opportunities within NGAA. Think of it as the “front door” to our organization—a welcoming space where potential members discover how they fit into our mission and how they can contribute to Arkansas’s next generation of advocates.
Through Pathways, applicants will:
Participate in introductory sessions about NGAA’s mission, values, and programs.
Meet with a member of our Admissions & Engagement Team to discuss personal goals.
Learn about available leadership paths, including administrative, community, and program-level roles.
Be placed in a small cohort to foster collaboration, learning, and mentorship during the onboarding phase.
The Pathways process isn’t just about joining an organization—it’s about finding your voice, your purpose, and your place in a local and statewide movement.
NGAA will begin with a small inaugural Pathways cohort, focusing on quality, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance. Each new applicant will work directly with our leadership to identify their interests and potential fit within NGAA.
As we grow, Pathways will expand to include multiple cohorts per year, allowing more self-advocates to participate while maintaining our personalized approach. Every participant—regardless of experience, education, or background—will have a meaningful opportunity to learn, lead, and make an impact.
Becoming part of the Pathways program is simple and inclusive. We encourage anyone with a disability who wants to grow as a self-advocate to apply, even if you’ve never held a leadership role before.
Complete our online application form, providing your contact information and a brief summary of your interests and advocacy goals.
You’ll be invited to a virtual or in-person meeting to talk about your background, experience, and what you hope to achieve with NGAA.
Once accepted, you’ll be placed into a small Pathways cohort and begin onboarding, mentorship, and orientation.
About the Role:
The Vice President of Programs is a senior leadership position within NGAA designed for members ready to operate at an executive level. This role will oversee the design, coordination, and implementation of NGAA’s statewide programs and ensure that each initiative reflects our mission of empowering self-advocates.
Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the NGAA President & CEO and Executive Vice President/COO to set program priorities.
Provide leadership to NGAA’s emerging programs as they develop.
Help recruit and mentor future program leaders.
Represent NGAA in meetings, presentations, and statewide advocacy efforts.
Who Should Apply:
This position is ideal for a self-advocate with demonstrated leadership experience, strong organizational skills, and a passion for creating meaningful impact. While the position is volunteer-based at launch, it is designed to evolve into a compensated executive position as NGAA’s structure and funding expand.
Applications for our inaugural Pathways Cohort is currently closed at this time but will be opened soon. We encourage individuals with disabilities across Arkansas to apply—especially those eager to lead, to learn, and to make a lasting difference.
“Start your journey. Shape your future. Lead the next generation of advocacy.”