Hi everyone! My name is Zoe, and I'm working as an intern at AAPD headquarters this summer. I'm coming in a little late, but I started my internship last week at HQ. I'm working in the policy and programs divisions, doing a lot of different projects with David on the programs end, and with Jenifer on policy. My policy work so far deals largely with healthcare issues--it seems like health reform is going to have a major impact on the disability community. Some of the other issues I've been working on during the past week and a half are the implementation of seclusion and restraint in schools, a new hearing aid tax credit bill, and looking at how the FDA regulates medical devices on the market. I've been doing a lot of research, and I've also been going to meetings and doing some write-ups for JFA. I've just started to get into the programs work--I think I'm going to be doing some more projects related to Disability Mentoring Day pretty soon. In general, it has been so easy to fit in at the office--everyone has been so friendly and helpful, and I'm learning so much every day. I definitely have a better understanding of health care than I did: yesterday I went through hundreds of pages that summarized the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the full version is about 2000 pages), and I'm starting to get my mind around it all.
Moving to DC for the summer has been an adventure too. I'm subletting a room in a house with five roommates, and I'm finally starting to learn which buses get me places on time and which ones get me there embarrassingly early...
But honestly, I'm loving it here. I have some family and friends in the area, and it's such a great city to explore. Last week I went to Jazz in the Garden, an event that happens every Friday night at the sculpture garden. I hope you're all doing some fun summer DC things as well!
Also, I'm looking forward to meeting all the interns. There are four of us at HQ, but I know we'll all meet at some events later on. See all of you then!
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