AAPD Intern Blog

Final Chapter

2011-08-09T17:57:00.001-04:00

Wow! I cannot believe the summer in DC has come to an end. There are so many areas of our lives that have been affected by this one summer, and now it is time to take these lessons back home with us. For the longest I knew I was not alone in being a person with a disability, but I felt lost on how to accept what it meant to me- Keri Gray. I felt I didn’t have an example or people to talk to who have struggled with the things I’ve struggled with. That left me to figure things out on my own, which I was doing in a slower pace than necessary and with many relapses.

Then the opportunity to work in DC happened. Over the course of the summer I interacted with people who have such passion in obtaining equal rights for all. They visibly showed their scars as marks of beauty, and that’s all I desired to do. I gained strength and motivation this summer to never hide. Further, a gained doorway into a community that will always support me in direction I have taken in life. AAPD and Capitol Hill connected me to two communities that built on me personally and professionally, and I am forever grateful.

So what’s next for me? This will be my senior year in my undergraduate study at Abilene Christian University. I am very excited to graduate in May 2012 with B.A.’s in Political Science and Communications with a minor in Public Service. I am as well preparing to take the LSAT and apply to law school in the DC and Texas area. I am excited for all our futures! Though it is the final chapter of this summer, it is the beginning of a connection with many many people. I am excited to say I feel a part of the disability community, and hope to give back as much as they have graciously given me!

AAPD Conclusion!

2011-08-07T21:51:00.000-04:00

The final week in Washington D.C. was lots of fun. During the final week, I got to go to Baltimore, Maryland. It was a lot of fun. There are some parts of Baltimore that are rough. However, if you are near the Baltimore Harbor then you will be fine. I took a lot of photos of the harbor. I also got to take the city bus for the first time. I grew up in a semi rural area so I have not been exposed to as many urban areas. I got to see the ships that are near the Chesapeake bay. I also got to give my capitol tour in the United States Capitol. I did really well because I was able to explain the history of the Capitol and our nation to the tourists. The tourists were impressed with the Capitol. I also got to see the Pentagon building from the outside for the very first time. I finally got around to being able to get a photo with Congressman Hoyer. I was very happy to be able to see him and have a photo taken with him in the Capitol. Then on Friday, I finished up my work interning for Congressman Hoyer's Office. Overall, I really enjoyed my time in Washington D.C. It was a lot of fun and went by way too fast. I want to thank the AAPD and all of the people or companies that helped sponsor my internship.

A Grand Old Time -- by Alec Frazier

2011-08-02T13:10:00.006-04:00

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius Gives the Keynote Address at Justice for All

This past week was largely uneventful, except for one huge event! The AAPD's Justice for All 21st anniversary celebration of the ADA was a blast!

Minority Whip of the United States House of Representatives Steny Hoyer addresses Justice for All

One friend back home asked me what my day looked like, so I told her:

"Today I worked at the library, sorted through shelving, grabbed a hotdog, organized a list of links for a website, talked with Mom quick, rode across town in the subway, had group pictures taken, practiced intern graduation, attended a social mixer, listened to a number of influential speakers, and graduated."

Alec Frazier and His Mentor, Mat McCollough

There were too many important people at the event to count, and I made countless contacts for future business. Who knows? Maybe some will pay off...

AAPD Graduation !!

2011-08-01T19:21:00.000-04:00

This was a very exciting week. American Association of People with Disabilities was hosting it's graduation ceremony on Tuesday. The celebration was really fun all day long. It first started off where I and the rest of the crew got to get our photos taken at the U.S. Capitol. How sweeet can that get! Then the crew and I walked over to the Dirksen Senate Building where we all prepared ourselves for the big moment. On the way to the Dirksen Senate Building I got to go through the Hart Senate Building. I thought the Hart Senate Building was the nicest building of all the congressional buildings I had been in. It was really fancy and possesed a more upbeat feel to the environment of the building.

Once we arrived at the Audotorium in the Dirksen Senate Building, our director Michael Murray had us all pracitice walking up to the stage in order to make sure we maintained professionalism in the ceremony. Pop such as coke and pepsi was provided in the audotorium along with small appetizers. The best part of the cereomony was that I got to see Congressman Hoyer and Secretary Sebelius. I really loved the way how Secretary Sebelius had emphasized a long term goal of reducing the number of elderly people having to be in nursing homes and providing more home health care services in the future as the baby boom generation ages someday and makes long term care totally different than today's time period. I also enjoyed seeing my own Congressman that I intern for speak about how the signing of the American with Disabilities Act in 1990 was his greatest accomplishment that he helped put forward. Later that week on Thursday, I got to have a good lunch with my mentor Michael Winter at the United States Department of Transportation Building. Then on Saturday, I got to meet up with my Neighbor's niece from my home state of Ohio in which I had a good lunch with in Silver Springs, Maryland. Overall, my week was very good and very amusing.

Last Week Already?

2011-08-01T16:38:00.001-04:00

AAPD orientation seemed like it was just yesterday. I woke up to the realization, that it’s the last week of my internship. Unbelievable, I should have anticipated it. It happens all the time when you do not want things to end. Truly, I enjoyed every moment of my internship experience. I met a lot of wonderful people. I do not want to leave my friendly co-workers but knowing it’s that time. I will definitely consider applying for a job with the USDA in the future, and hope USDA feels the same about me.

I want to thank AAPD for giving me this opportunity to explore and experience being in D.C. and this wonderful internship experience. I would not have done it without AAPD’s help. I had a great professional mentor who helped me with advice that will benefit me in the future. I also met up with few other people who were able to give me ideas and hope. There was an ADA celebration where there were speakers and the interns got an award from AAPD, which is a big honor to all of us. A lot of people came and I got to meet a few people. I wish I could get to know each person but it’s not always easy. I will miss the memories that I created here when I leave. I will miss the friends that I made through the internship. It was also nice to see my old friends who lived here in D.C.

Last week, I went to the White House for a self-guided tour and I had an amazing time. My internship offered my department an opportunity for the tour and it was wonderful. The White House is really big compared to what it seems from the outside. I absolutely loved looking at the pictures from the past of our previous presidents. I also met Obama’s dog! The dog is so adorable! I guess you have to be at the right place at the right time to spot lucky things.

I taught a sign language class at work to a small group of people. It was a fun experience, and I got to teach a little about deaf culture, a little about the difference between the sign languages, preferences of an individual, and of course some basic signs. The people who attended were highly motivated. We played a game, phone line- where there are two lines of people to pass a sentence on from the first person to the last person to see if the signs have been changed or are the same. I signed “I love working at USDA”, and one line of people signed “I love working at FE” while the other line of people signed “I love *hand shake*”. It was really funny. They asked me a couple of questions and it was an hour class. Some of people were disappointed that there won’t be another class but hopefully they will have the opportunity to take more classes in the future.

This past weekend, I ate at Ben Chili’s Bowl for the last time. I will miss that place dearly when I leave here. I know I am so into food for some reason. I finally tried Etete’s but it was not my favorite at all. I guess my taste buds do not go well with Ethopian restaurants or I will have to try different things on the menu. I also went to Georgetown Cupcakes for the last time.

Let’s make this week the best one of the summer!

Week 10

2011-08-01T14:15:00.005-04:00

Sighs. I am very sad to see that I only have one week left here in D.C. I love the place and the people here as well as my friends and colleagues. But let's focus on the fun part last week.
On Monday (the 25th), I had an amazing tour of the Counterfeit section at Secret Service. The deaf employee over there has taught me a lot about genuine and counterfeit currency (both domestic and international). I got the chance to peek at the brand-new $100 currency bill, and it looks so awesome and high-tech! Can't say anything anymore, because it's a secret... shh. However, I got a chance to chat with my deaf colleague at Secret Service after the tour, and I was happy to hear that she will try to get in touch with a person from Cyber Crime division because of my interests in computer forensics.
On Tuesday (the 26th), it was an amazing time for me at the 21st Anniversary of the ADA event. After listening to awesome keynote speakers like Kathleen Sebelius (the Secretary of Human & Health Services), Senator Mike Enzi (R-WI), Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Tom Tauke, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Policy and Communications at Verizon, and Bruce Darling, National Organizer with ADAPT), I definitely did have moments of goosebumps because of their inspiring speeches. After the event, I got to meet several new people, which is a terrific opportunity!
On Wednesday (the 27th), I gave a presentation to Civil Rights & Civil Liberties (CRCL) interns that is working at Homeland Security about what my office do and to show them our shiny toys which is assisted technology for our employees & customers with disabilities. On the very same day, I got stuck with two or three options, but am unable to make a difficult decision to choose one of them. Don't get it wrong: these options are good ones, but it can determine the outcome of my future. I believe this Wednesday (the 3rd) probably will be the big day that could change my life forever. Sometimes I do feel like I need to choose a path, but it takes a lot of time to think about.

Fighting Insecurities

2011-08-01T13:16:00.000-04:00

People first! The other day I had an encounter with someone who means a lot in my life. It showed me how far I have come, and just how much further I had to go.

I was very casually dressed in an over-sized t-shirt and some shorts doing some work on my laptop. I felt very comfortable and I knew nothing was about to disturb me because it was one of those day when I was casually laying in the bed doing some work with my prosthesis off laying in a corner. Until all of sudden there was a knock on my door. Absentminded, thinking it was one of my roommates I called out “come in.” However, it was not one of my roommates…it was someone who means a lot to me in my life, and yet has not seen this side of me. He glances over and see’s my prosthetic limb, and then comes straight over and begins telling me about his day like any other time. Yet, as he talks my mind is spinning of insecure thoughts. What does he think? This isn’t normal? He’s curious? He wants to ask me about my leg? Is he going to think its weird? Yet through those questions I knew I was okay. After calming myself down I was good.

Then the moment happened. You know how when you’re sitting in a position for so long that your leg begins to numb up so bad that you have to get up and stretch it? Yeah..of course in one of my moments of insecurity that would happen causing me to have to get up and stretch inevitably exposing my one-legged figure even more. I tried to fight it, but I had to get up. It was at the moment that I immediately wanted to hide. Grab my covers shove them over me, and hide. Errrrrrrrrrrr!!! Yet, why should I hide! I know I am not alone in my feelings where I let insecurities take over the truth of the matter. The truth is I am a person like any other who should completely accept me. I have come a long way, but I can never forget the beauty of who I am. In that moment I forgot. You may have a relapse as well, but know we have to get back up again! I got back up, and got my composure together because I refused to continue to hide. It’s hard for me, but I don’t desire nor will I give up.

This past week was great going to the ADA 21st Anniversary Celebration. I saw so many strong and passionate people, and being around a crowd like that can only motivate you to keep pushing towards the next level. I’m so blessed, and I’m so thankful for my life and the opportunities that are before me. I could have died a long time ago, but I constantly have to remember God choose me to live. Why? I may not completely know the answer to that, but what I continue to do with my life will show my appreciation. People first!

Week 10

2011-08-01T08:37:00.000-04:00

This past week I continued to learn a lot. With the current spending/debt crisis going on in Washington, I had the opportunity to speak to many average everyday Americans. Talking to these individuals showed me first hand how Washington politics are affecting the American people. Seeing the politics and the reactions of the American people brought me beck to when I was an undergrad. I remember when I was an undergrad in my upper division Political Science classes, talking about different theoretical prospectives and thinking (ya right this doesn’t really happen). Well I was wrong, these theories how ever old, still hold true to this day.

I also had the opportunity to go to another baseball game this past week. On Wednesday after work, the Congressman’s chief of staff treated the interns and staff to the Nationals game. The really cool part was that the Nationals were playing the Marlins. The Congressman I work for is from Florida. Additionally, it was dollar hot dog night so I was able to enjoy a few hotdogs at the baseball game. The game was also a great opportunity to get to know my coworkers outside the office setting. Although the Nationals ended up loosing, I still had a great time.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

2011-08-01T06:02:00.001-04:00

Second to last week in Washington, D.C.! It is hard to believe our time here is almost up. Although I am eager to begin my second year of law school, I am a bit melancholy at the thought of leaving my awesome internship in the Senate, as well as leaving the awesome new friends I have made here. I think most of my fellow AAPD interns are feeling similar emotions. I for one am already looking forward to returning next summer to intern here in our Nation’s capitol!

This past week was a great week. Once again! I feel as though I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but this has been the best summer of my adult life. Remember when you were a kid and on the first day of school you had to tell the class what you did on your summer vacation? Yeah, I remember that too. I hope I have that chance, because here is what I did:

I went to Washington, DC. And I met a bunch of really cool people, who just happened to have a disability. I made a bunch of new friends, many of whom taught me numerous lessons about adversity, struggle, and overcoming obstacles. And I met many people who are leaders and fighters in the disability movement. Some are ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. Some are elected officials who use their power and influence to make life better for those of us with disabilities. And others are privileged to have resources which they choose to utilize to benefit others, especially folks like us.

And I saw lots of monuments and museums and churches and stadiums. And the U.S. Open Golf Championship. There were concerts on the mall, free performances at the Kennedy, and some Shakespeare (thanks Leah!) thrown in for good measure. I was awed, amazed, humbled, excited, and moved. That was just sight-seeing. I was able to experience a week of seeing museums, and performances, and visiting the homes of our Founding Fathers with my daughter and my parents. What could be better?

Not better, I think, but on par with the above, was my placement with a committee in the Senate. I got up every day enthused about going to Congress and working hard to assist the good people who fight to make the lives of former servicemen and women better. As someone who served in the military during a non-combat period, I am humbled by those who have fought for our country. And I did my best to support the Committee staff as they work to secure the benefits and health care our former troops so richly deserve. Occasionally, I was able to identify an urgent need, and pass that along to staff that made things happen, and found a way to solve the issue. That was extremely rewarding.

And yes, I was able to network. I have a number of folks now who have assured me they will pick up the phone and call someone if I need an introduction or a reference. I have couple of interviews set up during our final week, to hopefully secure an internship here in DC next summer. I can’t imagine being anywhere else!

Thank you to everyone who made this summer unforgettable, most notably everyone connected with the AAPD Summer Internship Program- the interns, the staff, and the benefactors and sponsors. I could not have had this experience without your help and generous support!

That’s how I spent my summer vacation…

Rick Sommer

Week 9!

2011-08-01T01:29:00.002-04:00

Hello,

This past week, even though time is winding down, was really one of the busiest weeks here in Washington, D.C. Working on my web seminar that my boss will moderate in August, setting up new websites for the commission, and representing the ABA at a diversity job fair were among the things I did at work this week. I however want to talk about how thrilled I was to have the opportunity to attend the 21^st anniversary of the ADA gala on Tuesday. There, I was able to network with many people who are somewhat power players in the field of disability law and policy. I was appreciative of the opportunity because I got a chance to talk to them, learn about them and where they come from as far as background experience. All that, I keep in mind, as I set my own path for the future, taking what I know, and what I learned, and utilizing that to the best of my advantage. When I leave here and go back to Rochester, New York, I know I will realize how beneficial networking really was and how lucky I was to be chosen as one of the interns for AAPD’s internship program here in D.C. I hope to keep in touch with everybody I have met this summer and build upon those relationships in the future.

The softball game this week was so close! We, the ABA, won 16-15. I unfortunately was not a part of this one due to the other team only having 5 players and my boss/coach putting me on the other team. I was not upset or slighted by this but delighted in the chance to see if I could beat my team. I went 4-4 with 5 RBIs but man, ABA came back in the bottom of the seventh inning with a walk-hit to win the game. Aw shucks, it was a fun experience nevertheless!

The other night, after a long long week of work that concluded with representing the ABA at an diversity career job fair, I got to let loose and go out on Friday night for a couple drinks with friends. I also got to go out the next night, to a rooftop pool party, that apartment building did overlook the Nationals baseball field so it was cool to watch the game from the rooftop with friends.

There’s nothing like having a balance of work and fun to give me the ultimate peace of mind. Stay tuned as this experience comes to a conclusion…

-Colton J

It's the Final Countdown!

2011-07-31T23:46:00.001-04:00

And so it all comes to an end. As I look forward to the remaining days ahead, I also cannot help but look back in awe of the number of days past and memories kept. The figurative box, in which I will forever keep my memories, would of course be remiss without two fantastic events from this week past: my meeting with Tammy Baldwin and my tour to the White House. –Both of these would be impossible without the kindness and help of my (fabulous) mentor Cheryl Sensenbrenner. On Friday morning I had the huge opportunity of chatting with Rep. Baldwin for about half an hour. While for the first time ALL SUMMER my alarm decided not to go off and I was in a heated frenzy to shower, change, buy donuts, and rush to Rayburn, my meeting with the congresswoman more than made up for it. Rep. Baldwin was extremely down to earth (a quality I’m beginning to associate with Wisconsinites) and incredibly easy to talk to. I asked her all kinds of “hard-hitting” questions like her favorite places to visit in DC, and more seriously, whether or not she felt that her sexual orientation hindered or propelled her political career. She also gave me a lot of things to consider in terms of potentially running for office one day, myself.
The other exciting opportunity I had this week(end) was that of having a guided White House tour by Cheryl. I loved all the quirky facts about painting, furniture, presidents, architecture etc. that Cheryl was so knowledgeable of. My favorite bit was probably learning about how Dolly Madison urgently saved two invaluable items during the White House fire in the early 1800s (the date escapes me): the first being a portrait of George Washington and the second of course, being her own portrait. I also cannot forget to mention the “interesting” if not gaudy, rather vermeil-style décor. Popularized by Jackie Kennedy, vermeil refers to the coating of a once sterling silver object in gold. This was basically what became of numerous candlesticks, chandeliers, plates, mirrors, etc. Probably would not have been my artistic choice, but I suppose it was the thing to do back in the day, much like our hipster skinny jeans and irony.

Before concluding this blog and my week, I would again like to give a tremendous shout out to Cheryl Sensenbrenner for being the best mentor imaginable. Some of my fondest memories here have easily been because of her. ☺

Posted by Nicole Tay

Steph and Emily told me to write about them so ...

2011-07-31T23:11:00.000-04:00

This week I did many things, including going to an event at the White House for interns with disabilities, attending AAPD’s ADA celebration on Capitol Hill, visiting the top of the Washington Monument for the first time, and randomly running into Judy Heumann on the street, but by far, the highlight of the week has been socializing with my roommate Emily and fellow intern Steph. Steph and Emily are two of the funniest and most fun-loving people I know and we always have a great time when we are together. Tonight what was supposed to be a quick trip to the SafeWay turned into a humorous adventure followed by laughs and stories in our apartment for several hours. Those two are crazy chicas and they have made my time in DC infinitely more enjoyable.

One of the most valuable things to come out of my time in Washington has been the amazing people I have met. I came to the capitol to gain work experience and disability policy knowledge and to create networks with people in the disability policy field, but I have appreciated my chance to meet so many amazing interns. Once we are done in DC I will miss the chance to socialize and learn from such a great group of people.

The Summer Summary

2011-07-31T22:53:00.001-04:00

At the end of an event packed week, full of several ADA celebrations, meetings, and researching, what could be more peaceful than awakening at three AM, catching a cab at four, and heading to the Music City for slightly over twenty-four hours? Well, it was exciting to say the least! One of my best friends had a huge celebration, so I joined her and her family in Nashville, TN. Ironically, her cousin’s ninth birthday coincided with the festivities, and when my friend’s aunt walked in with a few dozens of Gigi’s Cupcakes, the local bakery that apparently specializes in wedding desserts, I knew my trip was meant to be. (Yep, they were amazing. My lemon one rivaled Sprinkles, though its hugeness made it a tinge more intimidating than the others. Eating the mountain of frosting required a fork for sure.)

What was particularly neat, though, was the return trip home. First, I met a phenomenal young lady in the Detroit airport who, when not working at the airport, traveled around the country acting in plays. She had just spent a few weeks on the set for an inspirational movie set to debut late this year or early next year. Additionally, she is going to school to become a councilor. Like I said, she was awesome.

Then, we were landing at Reagan, and our pilot announced our arrival to “our nation’s capital.” A few families of tourists were extremely excited, and I realized how lucky I am to have been able to call this place home for the summer.

As simple as these stories are, I think they summarize my experience. I’ve sure eaten a lot of amazing sweets, and often in wonderful company. I’ve had the opportunity to meet incredible people who daily inspire, challenge, and encourage me, from the South Hall janitorial staff who make each morning just a bit more joyful, to Congressmen and their staff who are more well-known, to amazing coworkers who work hard to protect and advocate. And I’ve had the privilege to experience all of these moments and interactions in the political center of our country, a place I never imagined I’d live. As I enter into my last week, the Metro lines are now familiar, I have inside jokes to share with my fellow interns and coworkers, and I have learned so much and have so much gratitude for all of those who have made this internship a reality.

Week 10: From Tourist to Tour Guide

2011-07-31T22:42:00.004-04:00

This Saturday I met my Aunt, and cousins from Virginia for dinner in Chinatown near where I work. The last time we had met up in DC was the very first day I had arrived. I was fresh off the plane- with a huge suitcase and no idea what to expect. That day my Aunt was in charge. She picked me up from the airport, explained the metro system, and helped me find my check-in location. We ate at TGI Friday's for lack of insider knowledge

10 weeks later and our experience couldn't have been more different. This time I picked the location- an area I know well. I explained to my family how to get there via metro. I walked around the city with confidence- pointing out now-familiar landmarks. I recommended the restaurant- a hole-in-the-wall with excellent Chinese food and reasonable prices. Afterwards I suggested we walk home- a stroll that takes us past the White House. It was a truly wonderful DC night.

I've changed a lot in the time I've been in DC. I'm not sure when exactly I stopped being a tourist and became a resident- but the transition has definitely happened. I take the metro and walk the streets with confidence- no small feat for someone who relies on her GPS to get to her local grocery store back home. I've seen museums and monuments. Had delicious meals, interesting conversations, lots of laughs. I've met incredible people who have done incredible things. And I've learned more in 10 weeks than I have in years at school.

Don't get me wrong- there is still lots to do and I plan to enjoy every bit of my last week in DC. I have lots of stuff to look forward to still. An AAPD reception at my placement on Tuesday, shadowing a senator on Wednesday, and a tour of the White House Thursday. Just a typical week here in the nation's capitol.

Epic. Week.

2011-07-31T22:20:00.000-04:00

If I could put together some of the quintessential “Washington DC” experiences, this week would have checked most of them off. The excitement started on Tuesday when I was invited to an even at the White House that included multiple speakers discussing the disability community finding gainful employment. This event was in celebration of the 21^st anniversary of the signing of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). The event was wonderful and had many great speakers including Kareem Dale, associate director for the White House Office of Public Engagement and Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy and Christine Griffin, the Deputy Director for the Office of Personnel Management. The forum brought together a large group of interns, many with disabilities, to discuss what opportunities were available and ways in which individuals with disabilities can find employment within the federal government.

The excitement Tuesday just kept coming when, also in light of the ADA anniversary, I was invited to an event within the Senate auditorium where a veritable who’s who within the disability community was in attendance or speaking about disability rights issues and how the ADA has gotten us so far, but how we must do more. The presentation was put on by the AAPD, and in addition to many high-ranking officials–Congresspersons and advocates within the disability community–giving wonderful speeches, it also served as a graduation ceremony for myself and the 27 other AAPD interns. Never before have I felt so much as a part of a movement. The event was very inspirational and reminded me of the importance of disability advocacy.

The high from Tuesday’s events pulled me through Wednesday and Thursday. Then Friday, myself, and other interns within the US Department of Education were able to have a photo op with Sec. Duncan. This was a great experience and I think it was pretty wonderful thing for him to take the time to make this gesture. Following that, I had to dash across the mall to a meeting within the Department of Labor. The meeting was a training session for Add Us In, a National Diversity Forum where I was asked to facilitate a breakout room discussion this week- wish me luck.

Saturday had some excitement of its own. My mom and I were walking down around the White House when we were met by a swarm of people whom we quickly realize were protesting. Once we are able to get closer to them we realized they were protesting the educational system–from what I deduced standardized testing, teachers pay, and cuts in the arts and sciences. After thousands of these individuals marched down the walkway between the White House and Lafayette Park, we noticed that there was a second protest taking place. Two groups both representing Syria were protesting against each other–one was pro-President Assad and the other equated did him to Hitler. Needless to say things became very heated and tensions were high, eventually escalating into a fight that was quickly quelled by the police in the area.

Did I mention that my mom and I were playing host to my sister and two family friends of ours from Houston Texas all week? And that in addition to all of these events we toured Mount Vernon, the Capital building, and the Library of Congress… yeah, I’m beat.

Women in Politics, 17% and stagnant

2011-07-31T19:47:00.001-04:00

This past weekend I was fortunate to attend and participate in the 40^th Anniversary Celebration and 20^th Biennial Convention of the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC). NWPC was created at an organizing conference, held on July 10, 1971. Some of the pioneering founders would become influential women that I studied throughout my undergraduate Political Science and Women’s Studies career - Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisolm, Eleanor Norton Holmes, Bella Abzug, Betty Friedan, Dorothy Height, and LaDonna Harris to name just a few.

On Friday night the NWPC hosted a Diversity Reception and presented the 2011 Women of Courage Awards. Among the awardees is Kamala Lopez who is spearheading an in-your-face education campaign on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) for young women. Unfortunately most young women are of the belief that women are “equal of rights under the law.” Not the case.

I am Generation Y woman. I was first exposed to 1970s women’s liberation through textbooks and college classes, but I have always known women and men experienced life on different terms. Sadly women and girls younger than Generation Y do not have the same exposure to women’s history that has been given to young women like me. We are at a critical point in the history of women and I urge everyone to check out the ERA Education Project and ERA Once and For All.

~Brenda

ERA Education Project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOsSw7MkX24&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMiwvkAekyM&feature=related

ERA Once and For All

http://www.eraonceandforall.com/

If anyone is interested in learning more about the National Women’s Political Caucus, joining a chapter, or viewing photos of powerful women in politics visit NWPC’s website.

http://www.nwpc.org/

Blog 10-Inching closer to the end

2011-07-31T18:14:00.000-04:00

The clock is ticking, and I just can’t believe it. This program has been an incredible experience, and I know there’s still a week left, but the JFA event made it seem all so official. I’ve made so many great memories, met so many awesome people, and learned so much. Life changes so much in a few months, indeed. I think what I’ll take away from this internship experience are the ever changing professionalism, an increased eye for detail, and a greater understanding of when to take a risk and when to take a stop back. I have always struggled with creating a balance in my life, I oscillated between two extremes, either flying around and doing anything and everything or sitting alone and philosophizing. I’m beginning to see what life is like in the world of Washington, and I am eternally grateful to this program for the opportunity to explore and let me develop my own process, I don’t need someone to tell me what to do. Guidance and support are appreciated and necessary, but I need to blaze my own trail, and I got a taste of what I’d like to do, and yes, a return to Washington may be a part of that. Stay tuned for more updates on Hamza Inc. Work is going well, and we’re all reaching critical mass right now for the preparation of the National Diversity Forum, a project our office has been working on for close to three years now. It’s supposed to be a conference examining the intersections of disability, diversity and business, and we’re bringing leaders from everywhere in to help lay the groundwork for a sustainable plan for greater disability employment. I can’t wait to work behind the scenes at this awesome event, and it’ll be fun to see all the work we put in come to fruition.

No Rest for the Weary

2011-07-31T16:41:00.002-04:00

It is a Sunday afternoon and I am sitting at my desk in the office and working: yes working on a Sunday: on god’s day of rest. We were supposed to come into the office over the weekend, but later there was an e-mail sent out saying that we did not have to show up. I did not get the e-mail, so here I am. But I am not complaining. It is very quiet here, and the condition is just right to do some work. Now I can write this blog entry and finish up my roundtable plan for Monday.

Today I did some research for my supervisor on the latest debt ceiling plan. It is Sunday July 31^st and it looks like there might be an eleventh hour plan out there. We do not know the details, as it is still being negotiated, but there are lot of sound bites, speculations, and roomers out there. So we have been scrambling and trying to piece it all together and figure out what might be the final agreement. The Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell along with the speaker of the House John Boehner, have come to an agreement with President Obama on a debt ceiling plan. It looks like it would include increasing the debt ceiling and cutting spending without generating new revenue. It is a two-step process that would immediately increase the debt ceiling by one trillion dollars, while cutting spending by the same amount. It would also form a bipartisan super-committee of members of Congress that would come up with additional 1.8 trillion dollars in spending cuts and increase the debt ceiling by an additional 1.4-2 trillion dollars by Thanks Giving. The agreement would include a trigger mechanism that would automatically cut spending from Defense and Medicare, if congress could not come up with additional spending cuts. Later congress would pass a Balanced Budget Amendment by a super majority or 38 of the states would adopt a balanced budget amendment. The deal is very complicated and we do not yet know all the details. So do not get too excited, because as they say, the devil is in the details.

This week has been hectic because of the debt ceiling issue, and I have been answering the phones for the first time. That has been the hardest part. Now I can confidently say that I have seen it all. I have been complemented, I have been cursed, I have been hung up on, and I have been told that I should be fired. Never mind the fact that I have no control around here, that I am not paid so that I cannot be fired, and that I cannot respond to people’s complaints with my own thoughts..

As I get near to the end of my internship I am both sad and excited. I am sad that I will have to leave Washington DC and end my internship, but on the other hand, I am excited to go back to my own place in Colorado and start school again. This internship has been a great experience and I am very much thankful for it, and to all the people that made it happen: that includes my supervisor, all the people in my office and all the AAPD staff and sponsors.

10th Week, 10th Blog

2011-07-30T16:38:00.008-04:00

Dear Mom,

For all the conversations I wished to have, washed away in root beer bottles somewhere along the Pacific Rim. Maybe one day a sweet sailor will find my dreams.

We were close when I was a young turtle, but now I am on my own. I swam great distances in foreign waters with enemy creatures.

Take my trophies and awards, they mean nothing to me. Empty shells of praise going out in public, but back home a different set of waves brink.

You used to rock me in your arms with a white cotton blanket while singing children songs that were quick to put me to sleep.

I had to age. I had to grow. Now that you are gone there is so much more I wanted to know: ironing clothes, cooking recipes, wearing makeup and dating advice.

Everyday I journey out to see you. Anxiously waving my white banner into the darkness while mosquitoes snipped at my skin. I wait, but you never come.

Here are my dog tags and uniforms in a brown beaten up cardboard box. I left you to fight in war. You never understood or agreed, but I respect that.

Here are my journals. If you would like to feel how I view the world read my collection of poems, plays, stories and songs.

“A Poem’s Worth”

Penny a poem
penny a play
penny a story
penny a song.

One day I’ll be rich-
holes in my socks and
pants pockets.

Ching, chang
Splat!

I don’t hear them fall or
see them sprinkling the ground.

I’ll just stay on this corner
working my hands
with my figure eight
shaped guitar and
black ink
playing with words.

Penny the poet
penny the writer
penny us all.

-Krista Dora

Dear Sarah,

I remember waking up in the middle of the night fetching you a warm bottle of milk. Bringing it to your crib I snugged you in blankets and played the music so the ballerina would dance in the pink box.

I fed you cheerios one by one with my fingers, also with a spoon entering your tiny mouth I made train and car sounds. You had a pink and white bib with the words “Double Trouble.”

I read you different books of adventure with animals and people. Amazed at the colorful pictures that popped off the page grabbed your attention.

Blowing bubbles on your belly button and in chocolate milk were some of our favorite times. Laughter graced the air and happiness filled the room.

So much I left behind, but never forgotten. I don’t know where we are now, but at least I have these few memories to keep.

Love always your sister,
Krista

One Week Left!

2011-07-30T16:21:00.001-04:00

Alright, so this is my second to last week - I wanted to take this time to thank everyone so much for the opportunity to be up here in The District to lear the ways of the American government and bureaucracy. Simply being up here to get a feel of the culture, would have been enought - but I got so much more... I was able to make new friends, grow in my faith, and exchange ideas with people around me!

As this second to last week comes to a close, the spending crisis is coming to a deadline - so this coming week should be interesting to see if they will not come up with a plan before the deadline. Knowing how we operate in America, it will be at the last minute of the final day. But, it will be ever-so-interesting to watch come down to the second!

This week, we also got the chance to be recognized in fron the our community for being esteemed students and set-apart leaders. I'm so grateful to be blessed with such a great vision for not only myself but for those around me - for my country! To see our country get back on track and continue to move forward in the ways which make American exceptional. I was a little bit taken-a-back by the comencement speech given at the ADA Celebration by AAPD; when The Obama Administration came to not only tout healthcare legislation and "community living," but to campaign for the 2012 elections. There were a few things that raised red flags and made questions run through my mind... but all-in-all each person is entitled to their own opinion, be that your opinion falls within the majority of a group or you are the sole supporter on the opposite side.

I am very thankful for the bi-partisanship that AAPD has put up, me being a disabled person allows some experiences to be relateable but as a conservative Evangelical Christian who is a farmer from The Dixie Southland created a gap of understanding between some of the interns and I (even the certain staff members of AAPD), in the wake of such a polarized society. While we have not always seen eye-to-eye on all the issues... everyone has been fairly civil for the majority of this summer. I am glad of that! :)

I'll report back on next week to let everyone know how the spending crisis was settled and how my last week during the internship was.

Single Digits and Counting

2011-07-30T13:12:00.002-04:00

This was a week for celebrating people with disabilities. Tuesday was the 21st anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act and it was celebrated all across the district. The day started out with an event at the White House where a number of individuals spoke with us about the federal government and their desire to include more people with disabilities in their ranks. Later in the day the Justice for All event wrapped up the day by recognizing individuals who have made significant strides in the disability community over the past year. The event was also quite beneficial in that it gave the interns the chance to network with many within the DC disability community. It also gave me the opportunity to put a face to many names I’d heard throughout my internship. Wednesday I met with Sara Mahoney and she gave me some information on getting into the WRP and some great leads for possible placements next summer. Work at the DOT is winding down. I am looking forward to shooting the multimedia footage that I will be participating in. Next week will most likely be bittersweet as I’ll be glad to finally be going home for more than a few days but very sad at leaving my newfound friends here in DC.

Posted by Matthew Shapiro

Margie's Last Blog??

2011-07-30T09:08:00.000-04:00

Could this be it? The last blog of my AAPD/DC adventures? Maybe….

I am going to the Library of Congress with my friend and fellow intern Krista this morning. I am looking forward to spending some time with her before we part ways.

I do plan on staying in touch with a number of people both personally and professionally. Those who know me from back home know that keeping in touch is something I do well! A phone call, a hand-written note, a homemade card are just a few of the mediums I work in.

I had my site visit with Dr. Tom Finch, director of training and service programs division of the Rehabilitation Services Administration and Dana Fink, American Association of People with Disabilities Program Assistant. Dr. Finch spoke highly of me and the projects that I was executing. RSA wants another intern for the summer of 2012 and Dr. Finch said, “I set the bar high.” He also stated that he would provide a written testimony to the quality of RSA’s experience with me as an AAPD intern.

I will keep in touch with RSA formally through work in a workgroup assigned to promote hiring of people with disabilities, a topic I feel very passionately about!

I will be attending a Project Director’s Conference in Crystal City, Virginia for two and a half days this week, and then wrapping up some final projects and meetings. I have to say goodbye to so many great people that the end is bittersweet, but overall, it was a life-changing and successful summer. I am happy to say that I feel proud to be an AAPD intern.

Almost Done!

2011-07-26T11:13:00.000-04:00

Once again another week has flown by; I can’t believe that I only have two weeks left in my internship! The end of the internship is bittersweet. I am sad to finish my work at the Bazelon Center, I have learned so much here. I know what I have learned here will make me an infinitely better attorney. At the same time I am excited about starting my fellowship with Mental Disability Advocacy Center. Because I will be moving abroad in September, I spent part of my week searching for apartments in Hungary. It has been such a challenge to get a good apartment, in a safe location, for a decent price!
The best part of my week was watching Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice with some of my fellow AAPD interns. What was really cool about this staging of the Merchant of Venice was that it was sign interpreted. I have never seen a play with sign performers, it was truly amazing! The play was also interesting because it was staged in the 1920’s. At first it was challenging to follow what was being said, however, after the first few acts I was able to wrap my brain around what was being said. Overall, it was a lot of fun to spend time with my fellow interns, do something cultural, and learn more about sign language.

Week 9: Golden :)

2011-07-25T22:52:00.002-04:00

There is something special about the being first of something. First man to walk on the moon. First solo transatlantic flight. First player to hit 60 home runs in one season. First under 25 wheelchair basketball world champion. I'm no Neil Armstrong, Charles Lindbergh, or Babe Ruth but as of last Friday I am one of 12 people who can lay claim to that last accomplishment. I'm still pinching myself.

I'm often asked about how wheelchair basketball differs from its standup counterpart. I usually emphasize their similarities- in theory they are almost the same game. 10 foot hoop, regulation sized court and ball, etc. The only actual difference is you are allowed 2 pushes for every dribble and there is no double-dribble. But in actuality they are completely different games.

Wheelchair basketball is extremely defensive- due to the fact that you can physically stop someone from moving. Thus a full court press is ten times more effective. This adds a whole layer of strategy to the game. It also means you must work together even more. Pic and rolls are extremely effective. It is much harder for one player to simply dominate without working together as a team.

Since our hands are otherwise occupied- wheelchair basketball features a lot more talking than standup. No hand gestures or motions for us.

Lastly, there is no equivalent of the NBA for wheelchair basketball. No promise of fame, money, glory. My gold medal game was the most people I've ever played in front of and it featured a crowd of maybe 150 people. You don't play wheelchair basketball to become a superstar- you play because you truly love the game. And that I do. There is no sport I'd rather play. If you offered me the chance to walk tomorrow- I'd turn it down. It would mean giving up the sport I love. I hope to continue as long as I can- maybe someday if I keep working hard all the way to the Paralympics. But if not- I'll still always be part of a team that made history. The USA is the first team to win an Under 25 Women's Wheelchair Basketball World Championship. It might not have made headlines at ESPN, but I'll take it.

Also, I want to end this post by thanking my awesome roommates. They made my return to DC decidedly less gloomy by surprising me with a little welcome back/congratulations party. Could my summer get any sweeter?

Still alive... but tired

2011-07-25T21:30:00.000-04:00

This past week was yet another jampacked week of work and play. Wednesday is when the craziness really started as we conducted another Let's Read Let's Move event. In attendance at this event was Deputy Chief of Staff for the Department of Education Eric Waldo (as that Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was meeting with Pres. Obama), Maya Soetoro – children's author, college professor and President Obama’s half-sister, as well as famous chef Spike Mendelsohn and NFL free-agent Chris Draft! So it was wonderful not only to have all of the star presence in the room but having them interact with the children and be great mentors.

Another project that I've been working on is an initiative put forth by the federal government called Feds Feed Families. This program calls for varying federal agencies to collect food donations to donate to a local food charities. To gain attention to this program the Department of Education launched spirit week. During this week they held numerous events including a cute pet photo contest, a best dessert contest, as well as others. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to MC the best dessert contest! It was a fun experience; there wasn't a huge turnout but overall I think it was a great success and we were able to raise awareness and more money/food for the individuals that struggle to get through the summer, whether it be the shortages being experienced by the food banks or the children who lack the nutrition they get from school lunches. The prize was not only the respect, but also an apron that was embroidered "Ed's Best Baker" and was signed by Secretary Duncan.

Friday, I transferred over to a different education building that houses the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). It was somewhat a difficult transition getting all of my electronic equipment over into my new cubicle, but now all is well. I'm working on a new project for the last two weeks and I am excited about it. I'll let you know more about it as it progresses!

This past weekend, my sister as well as some friends from Texas were able to fly in and will be visiting for the week so words can’t describe how excited I am to have them here and to share experiences with them! On Saturday my sister and I were able to visit the Newseum with the other AAPD interns and have supper at the Capital Grille. It was an excellent museum and the food at the restaurant was spectacular. We were lucky enough to experience this because of the efforts of Cheryl Sensenbrenner, wife of Sen. Jim Sensenbrenner. It was wonderful visiting with her and hearing about her advocacy for those with disabilities. On Sunday, my now growing entourage and myself were able to take a cruise to Mount Vernon and tour the estate – it was awesome, but incredibly hot! Well I probably have went on too long already so I'll let you get back to whatever you are doing… Take care and have a great week!

Kids these days… -- by Alec Frazier

2011-07-25T17:27:00.010-04:00

The Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture in the Old Patent Office Building

This week, my workplace was home to a camp for children with visual impairments. There was a lot of activity and noise as they learned how to use screen-reading software, were taught internet safety, and generally socialized. During this time I was known more formally as "Mr. Alec!"

The Kogod Courtyard of the Old Patent Office Building, designed by Lord Norman Foster, Baron of Thames Bank

On Wednesday we went to the International Spy Museum. Unfortunately, it was overwhelming for us all. The folks there did not do a good job of making the museum accessible, and there were loud sounds, almost shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and tight spaces. Many of the kids couldn't comprehend what was going on, neither could a person with Sensory Integration Disorder, such as myself.

The Former Patent Display Halls of the Old Patent Office Building

On Friday, we went to the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. Built as the Patent Office Building, it is now home to the National Portrait Gallery and the Museum of American Art, both of which are branches of the Smithsonian Institute.

The Newseum

On Saturday, our internship went to the Newseum, the News Museum. It's amazing how much they had: the pen used to sign over the U.S.S.R.'s nuclear arsenal to Russia; a package sent by "Patches the Clown", otherwise known as serial killer John Wayne Gacy; a section of the Berlin Wall and a corresponding Watch Tower; and the death mask of John Dillinger, America's most notorious bank robber. What will knock your socks off is that this is all just on one floor of a seven-story museum!

Alec Poses on the Newseum's Sixth Floor Pennsylvania Avenue Terrace, with the U.S. Capitol View Behind Him

Afterwards, we went out to eat at the Capitol Grille and a good time was had by all!

AAPD Interns and Staffers Finish Dessert at the Capitol Grille

Week 9

2011-07-25T15:40:00.004-04:00

After working here in the office at the Department of Homeland Security, I am getting used to meetings as well as chaos and confusions among my colleagues. However, the experience is teaching me a lot of things and to be a good employee. On Thursday, I went to an résumé workshop hosted by AAPD and all the interns attended there. We did learned some new information, but we did ask a lot of questions. It was pretty good that we finally wrapped up the workshop one hour after the scheduled end time. On Saturday, thanks to Cheryl Sensenbrenner, we did go to the Newseum. The Newseum was amazing that I considered it as one of my favorite museums. My two favorite sections of the Newseum is Hurricane Katrina and 9/11; it is really touching while reading and seeing so many horrific images and descriptions about these two sad events. My three friends from Long Island was visiting, and I showed them what is it like in D.C. I took them to the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and many other places such as DuPont Circle, Columbia Heights, Foggy Bottom, H Street, and Gallaudet. We had good times together.

Consistency and Sustainability

2011-07-25T14:49:00.000-04:00

When I was a baby I cried for no reason and did things without knowing the major consequences of my actions. In elementary school I was diagnosed with cancer that demanded a lot of attention and financial responsibility. As I continued to grow I went through numerous teenage stages that I know, at times, left me unbearable to be around. However, through all those situations my family never left me. My two best friends stuck by my side. How important is consistency and sustainability in your life? For me, it’s high priority. I take it very seriously because I know there will be times I will be the most annoying unbearable person to be around. Yet, I still need people in my life to help guide me through these phases, as I would for them. We just have to decide as individuals how much we are wiling to tolerate and for who do we raise our tolerance for?

Based off my last blog you know that I have been a little bit of an emotional rollercoaster however, my family represents stability and consistency in my life. They have put up with all the things I have put them through, and I have done the same for them because we’re worth it for each other. This past weekend was definitely a fulfilling and exciting time. My family was in town! It was a blessing to see my dad, mom, twin brother and older sister drive all the way from Texas and Kentucky to spend time with me. Texas is home for me, but I was born in Salisbury, Maryland about 3 hours outside of DC. It’s been years since we’ve been back, but being so close we took advantage of the opportunity to visit my old neighborhood. Driving down Salisbury roads I began reminiscing of my childhood memories. Rows and rows of corn, a pond, Ben, Brittany, Kevin, school buses, and 28260 Canterbury came to mind. I saw most of those memories and smiled knowing how they have deeply impacted my life.

We grew up about 45minutes from the ocean if we traveled to Ocean City, Md. I couldn’t wait to jump in and let the waters have me. As a young child I loved absolutely loved the water. However, as I got older and let vanity sink into me as I convinced myself I didn’t like swimming, public pools anything to that nature that gave me an excuse to keep my prosthesis on and scars covered. Yet, I no longer want to live in that fear and anxiety, I want to be free!! I had to start somewhere, so when I went to the ocean I walked with my head held high and my mind in the zone of happiness instead of fear.

People stared hard as I striped more than the clothes off my back but a body part so I could freely jump in the ocean, but I felt okay with their stares. They stared at a type of person they have never seen before, or even if they have because I look different than an average person they are used to. Yet, I can handle their stares because I have parents who look at me with the same love they do their other children. I am strong enough to handle excruciating looks that would cause others to live a life of self doubt because those close to me consistently showed me through their actions they can love and stay with me regardless of my disabilities or any faults I’ve possessed. Now that is not the only reason I’m strong, nor should it be others foundation of strength. It has to be a foundation of spiritual and intrinsic value you gain. However, the point of this blog is to express the difference consistency can make in one’s life. I strive to always be a person who stands by those I love through ups and downs because that’s what true character is. What about you?

Week 9

2011-07-25T08:26:00.001-04:00

As the weeks wind down here in D.C. time is starting to go quicker and I feel like I’m accomplishing less and less. This week, I was able to try a few different restaurants, mainly Ollie’s Trolley and Elephant and Castle, Pitango, and Red Velvet and revisited a few classics like RFD and Redline. At work this past week was the last in my series of planned intern luncheons. This week was Dan Ashe, the new director of the Fish and Wildlife Service at the Department of the interior. The stories and experiences that he told seemed incredible and interesting. Later in the same day however was the SES and POWER representative training /discussion. This meeting consisted of a return to work and disability implementation plan folks. It was great to see them all in one room talking about how to hire and retain people with disabilities. This past week I was also able to go to Philly where I went to school for the Phillies game. I did this with several of the other interns and I must say tat we had a blast even though the seats were outside. While I just relaxed most of Sunday I hope this week will be jame packed with lots of fun stuff to do around the 21^st Anniversary of the ADA.

Adventures!

2011-07-25T00:31:00.002-04:00

Hello everybody,

As the end of the internship nears, I find myself doing many important things at work. One which had to do with creating a directory of law schools that provided clinics in disability law for those who are interested in working in the disabilities field and want more resources to immerse oneself in to enhance the law school experience when it comes to disability law. The directory also included pro bono organizations that focus on disability law and this will be a great resource for those who cannot afford to advocate on their own. Another project that I am currently working on is in its beginning stages, it has to do with a online web seminar Continuing Learning Education (CLE) for the lawyers regarding representing claimants seeking Social Security benefits who have disabilities. This new project introduces a bit of writing which I am excited about, data collecting can be exciting for some, but for me my true passion is writing. I hope what I unearth in my research as I develop this webinar will go towards helping lawyers develop and master a Social Security practice for clients with mental and physical disabilities. Well, enough about work, now on to the fun!

On Wednesday morning, all the ABA interns were treated to a private tour of the United States Supreme Court, and man, was that an experience. Learning quite a lot on the tour has piqued my interest in the history behind the place and its impact on the laws of America. It was a very interesting tour, and I must confess, I got chills when I walked into the actual courtroom. Seeing it in documentaries and pictures does not do justice to the power and the beauty the court espouses. I felt quite, quite intimated to walk into the courtroom. The second part of the tour was a private meeting with Mr. Souter, the current Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court. He talked for 45 minutes at length about an array of topics, and we all asked many questions that he was happy to answer. We had to be kicked out because we were asking so many questions and taking up his time haha. It was great while it lasted, I feel blessed to have gotten this chance to tour the Supreme Court and talk with a important figure in the Supreme Court.

Another fun thing I got to do was the Phillies game on Saturday up in Philadelphia. I have to say I have not done anything this random in a long time- meaning taking a 3 hour bus ride to a different state altogether for a ballgame, and making it back home all in one day. Now the game itself, was so full of momentum swings, and provided for a lot of fireworks and buzz nevermind the scorching hot 100 degrees weather at first pitch. The game was a high scoring affair, and I am on the side of baseball fans that favor great hitting over great defense any day of the week, a 1-0 game is so boring, and this one, 8-6 in the favor of the Phillies was the polar opposite. It was just my luck that I didn’t get any of the 7 homerun balls. Ha!

All in all, a very wonderful week with many memories made. Stay tuned for the last two upcoming weeks of my wonderful internship experience here in this wonderful city of Washington, D.C.

-Colt J

The DOMA Hearing! - Week 8

2011-07-25T00:29:00.002-04:00

This week I attended the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the repeal of DOMA (aka the Defense of Marriage Act). Specifically, they were discussing the effects of DOMA on the lives of same-sex couples and S.B. 598, the Respect for Marriage Act. As the panelists spoke, sometimes I thought I was going to cry, gasp in shock, or jump out of my seat in outrage. Needless to say, one of the most important things I took from the lesbian and gay panelists were the huge financial an symbolic consequences of DOMA, which denies recognition of legal same-sex marriages on the federal level. As a result, same-sex couples can not be eligible to file joint tax returns, receive social security survivor benefits, or receive adequate health care. Just because of whom they love, lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are treated as second-class citizens. DOMA reinforces discrimination on the federal level just as "separate but equal" did during the Civil Rights movement.

At one point, I remember how utterly speechless I was when one of the speakers in support of DOMA claimed that legalizing same-sex marriage would pave the way for polygamous relationships and for a "father to marry his daughter". He also added that "to protect the best interests of the child," he or she should be raised by a mother and a father specifically.

Considering this argument, is it then not fair to disallow the same financial benefits to children of same-sex couples as children of heterosexual couples? To disadvantage these children inherently robs them of basic protections and highlights some of the hypocrisy of aforementioned arguments against DOMAs repeal.

Anyways, I would like to close by congradulating all the happy same-sex couples in New York that were married this weekend! :)

~posted by Nicole Tay

D.C. Almost done!

2011-07-24T23:18:00.000-04:00

This past week was very interesting. I started the week off by doing faxes on the balanced budget amendment. There were so many faxes on that particular issue. Later on during the week I went on a capitol tour with my supervisor and a couple of other interns. Then I learned how to sign a bunch of letters with a new signing machine. I also put the letters together in the envelopes.

Saturday was a great day. On Saturday, I got to go to the Newseum off of Pennsylvania Avenue. It was really cool because I got to learn about a whole lot of things that I did not know about over the past 50 years. I did not know that there was a lot of famine going on in Africa and other parts of the World where the government was not helping the people obtain food. I knew there was some poverty but not that it was extreme starvation in some countries. I also got to see funny photos of the Presidents and the different things they did during the time at the White House. I also got to see a video about the September 11, 2001 attacks. That was extremely emotional to see the documentary of what actually happened on that day. Then I got to see more photos of historical things such as the vietnam war and cool photos of the first dogs of the first families. Then I got to eat at the Capitol Grille. It was a great experience. I love that restaurant. Overall, my week went very well.

Week 9

2011-07-24T22:37:00.001-04:00

The AAPD interns were treated to quite the experience this weekend thanks to the generosity of Ms. Cheryl Sensenbrenner. She treated us to a day at the Newseum which is an amazing museum that looks at First Amendment issues, the history of the news, and the role of the news in covering contemporary events. The highlights were the exhibits on news reporting following Hurricane Katrina and of September 11th. Afterwards she took us to The Capital Grille which is without a doubt, the fanciest restaurant I have ever been to. Usually for me an extravagant dinner out would be going to McDonald’s and ordering something not on the dollar menu. We were treated to a four course meal of crab and lobster cakes and calamari for appetizers, salad, entrée (I got the filet mignon), and dessert. The food was delicious and the company was great. I was really nice to be able to spend time with all the interns in a social environment. The only time we usually all get together is at workshops so it was nice to be able to relax and socialize.

In other news, my roommate and fellow AAPD intern Emily is a world champion. She is a member of the US under-25 women’s basketball team and they won the world championship in Canada last week. Congrats to her. We made her some brownies and had a little party in her honor upon her return tonight.

Word Search “Disability” and what do you get?

2011-07-24T18:35:00.001-04:00

Open a search engine, type the word “disability” in the search box, and hit enter. What do you get? Without fail the first five results will include several links to government program websites, i.e. Social Security Administration, and Wikipedia. There might be one variation among the different search engines but they are all pretty much the same.

As I was scrolling through one of the searches I came across an archived newspaper article from the March 27, 1957 edition of the St. Petersburg Times entitled, “Ike Drafts Plan on Disability Problem.” Of course I click on the link, and suddenly find myself transported to a moment in time that, ironically, remains reality for some in the disabled community.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mZ5SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AHYDAAAAIBAJ&dq=disability&pg=5180%2C5819373

In this article President Eisenhower advocated for a clear plan that would assist carrying out the Office of the President should a President become disabled. He wanted three questions to be clarified by Congress: 1) who determines when a President is unable to carry out his duties? 2) How makes that decision? 3) Does the Vice-President take the “office” or only the “duties” of the President should he become disabled? In one suggestion a panel would be convened to determine the disability status of a President and would include Supreme Court justices, Cabinet members, and the majority and minority leaders of both houses of Congress.

Take away the titles and you have a panel of people making a determination that will affect a person for the rest of their life, the experience of almost every person with a disability. But what are the implications of this decision? In the case of a sitting President, and arguably any person with a disability, they will lose power. This is not a reference to the power gained through the Office of the President, but rather the power to exercise personal control.

This is our next great moment.

~Brenda

Week 9

2011-07-24T18:22:00.000-04:00

This week was a learning and fun week. Although things have been a little frustrating working on the hill with the constant bickering between both political parties, I still was able to have fun this week. On Tuesday night, I attended a resume workshop, in which I received some great tips on how to better market myself in the work place along with improving my resume. I was completely clueless as to the small imperfections in a resume that can give a potential employer the wrong impression. For example, I brought my resume with me to the workshop and as it was being reviewed, it was brought to my attention that my complete address was not on my resume. I had looked over my resume multiple times before attending the workshop and never caught this mistake. Ultimately, I learned it is best if multiple people examine a resume before finally submitting it to a potential employer.

This weekend, myself and three other interns, went to Philadelphia to watch the Phillies play my Padres. Being a San Diego native, it was nice going to Philadelphia and seeing the team I grew up watching at Jack Murphy Stadium. Additionally, it was a great game; there were lots of hits and seven total home runs. Although the Padres ended up loosing, I still had a blast seeing them play.

My Shameless Rant

2011-07-24T16:13:00.001-04:00

This topic came up in my office this week, and I figured I’d throw my two cents into the blog. People-first language. Personally, the concept irritates me like none other. But before you declare me unfit to represent the disability community, or, rather, the community of people with disabilities, if you prefer, I beg you to hear me out.

First, grammar. In the English language, adjectives typically come before the noun. Adjectives give descriptions of the noun that follows, but only partial descriptions. I am a blind girl, yes, but that’s only part of who I am. I can also be the brown-eyed girl, the Portuguese girl, and, yes, the cupcake girl. Those people who believe my entire identity is based on my blindness are just as wrong as those who believe my complete identity is based on my Ohio residency. Being blind, or having any disability, serves as a partial description of who we are as people. Thus, I see no harm in such adjectives. However, changing the structure of the sentence only does precisely that… it changes the ordering of the words. I am still represented by the noun, girl, described by the adjective, blind. No amount of switching around the elements of the sentence will ever produce any other meaning for me, and I think that’s okay. I do not permit the structure of a sentence to define me because whether I’m said to be the blind girl or the girl who is blind, I’m still the same person. I think people-first language misses the point that it concretely alters grammar, but leaves the interpreting to the audience. Yes, it once was an innovative idea to protect the dignity of disabled folks, I do not deny that. Yet, riding horses, while once the fastest mode of transportation, has been widely replaced. Similarly, I think grammar is no longer the necessary solution.

That leads me to my priorities. Undoubtedly, as somebody who finds no use for people-first language, it’s easy for me to say that I would much rather work to actually expand accessibility than idly talk about how to refer to the disability community. Instead of doing grammatical gymnastics to make labels sound pretty or appropriate, I’d rather expend energy and time to make the concrete changes that allow greater participation in society. I would gladly hear somebody say, “We have put up Braille signage for blind people”, which shows things actually being done, over, “I talked to a girl who happened to be blind today.” The latter is said to sound more politically correct, but is it really? As for me, I think having a ram is a whole lot more “politically correct” than arguing over the appropriate way to term the person using the ramp. I don’t mean to suggest those who promote people-first language do not also want concrete action, I think they do. However, I think, knowing we have limited resources and energy, instituting people-first language is not worth the time and argument. There are just so many changes that need to be addressed, I can’t justify the effort.

The reason we “need” people-first language is because we have yet to achieve people-always beliefs. People-first might make some grammatical changes, but I don’t think it fixes the problem. You are more than the words chosen to describe you. Just because the order of these words is changed does not mean the beliefs behind them have likewise been transformed. I hope not to change people’s sentence structures about disabled people, but raise their expectations and value for disabled people. Grammar can only go so far, and this is one task it can’t achieve.

Two Weeks To Go

2011-07-24T12:41:00.001-04:00

Wednesday as work continued I sent in what I hope to be the final version of the DOT Resource Guide for Hiring the Disabled to Dr, Walker. As the week continued I started trying to set up meetings with people throughout my office to continue my networking and make more connections before I leave. Next Tuesday is the trip to the White House for interns with disabilities. I am excited to see what kind of events take place. Next week I also have a meeting with Sara Mahoney to see about getting on the WRP database as I am trying to be back in Washington DC again next summer.

The week ended with a visit to the Newseum, my favorite museum in Washington. I love to go there because they change the exhibits so often that you never have to worry about not having something new to see. This time I found the Katrina exhibit very interesting as well as the presidential picture section. Dinner at the Capitol Grill was the best meal I have had all summer. It was a great time, getting everyone together for an end of the summer event like this. I plan on ending these last two weeks of my internship strong and leaving a good impression for both myself and AAPD with the hope of possibly returning next summer.

Posted by Matthew Shapiro

Is it just me or is it really hot in here?

2011-07-23T21:29:00.001-04:00

Hello, Hello, Hello once again.

I have been watching the program on ABC “Switched on Birth” almost every Monday. How often do we see deaf actors/actresses on weekly TV show as on this show? I know this will be part of history, like Marlee Maitlin as an Academy Award winning actress for her role in the film, “Children of a Lesser God”, and Sean Forbes founder D-PAN and music video artist. Check out an example of Sean’s work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2KYAlcTQno

I am glad that it is still summer. I am not ready to go back to school. I’ve been really enjoying the work-a-day world. . I can’t believe that this is my last year of college, which I am kind of sad about. I did not think that I would be sad when the time came to start a new chapter in my life. I really enjoy myself at RIT. Soon enough, I will start to look for permanent job and to shape the way I want to live my life.

Last Tuesday, I went to watch the Merchant of Venice by the Shakespeare Theatre Company. I saw the interpreter from AAPD orientation. She did a great job interpreting during the play. I was very impressed with her and another interpreter.

Here is my next restaurant goal: Etete’s. I heard how good this restaurant is, which is why it is my next mission to check out here in D.C.: http://www.eteterestaurant.com/ I hope you all are taking advantage of D.C. local restaurants. The local restaurant scene has been really fun and I have had good experiences dining out.

Wow- the heatwave is really crazy here in D.C. 103 degrees on Friday. It felt like 115 degrees, but I was told that the Midwest is much worse than this. I cannot believe that. When I was a young girl, I did not care about finding shade but as I get older, the shade is really important and necessary when it is this hot.

I can not believe only one more weekend left in D.C. then here we go off home. I am looking forward to the rest. At the same time, I am not looking forward to it since I am enjoying myself here in D.C. I know I do need to rest for though. Sometimes I do not understand what that term, rest means.

Looking Forward Looking Back By Margie

2011-07-23T08:44:00.000-04:00

Well, it looks like we have two weeks to go in the internship. I keep reminding myself it is time to start journaling before this is all over…
Things are very hectic here and busy

I have been meeting lots of people through my internship under the Department of Education---Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Hopefully, these new connections will serve not only as friends but people who can help me along as I start my career.

Today the fellow interns and I are going to the Newseum (a museum dedicated to the study of news) and the Capitol Grille (a fancy restaurant). I am excited!! A big thank you goes to Cheryl Sensenbrenner, the wife of Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner from Wisconsin who is treating the AAPD interns.

Yesterday, I listened to a conference call about various projects like Schedule A and internships to hire people with disabilities into the government and private sector. I also met with one of my supervisors at RSA who gave me some excellent feedback on a public policy piece I am working on--- a Technical Assistance Circular.

We had a terrific resume workshop Thursday from people from ODEP Office Office of Disability Employment Policy, and the CEO of AAPD, Mark Perriello.

I do not have much free time but always have interesting things going on and people to hang out with.
Looking forward, we have our Project Director’s Meeting in Crystal City, Virginia the first week of August. The meeting is pretty close. It is in the opposite direction of the Metro than what I am used to travelling to go to work.

I have mixed emotions about the close of this internship. On one hand, it has been an awesome experience and good to get out on my own. On the other hand, I am looking forward to getting my diploma from Illinois Institute of Technology and seeing my family and friends again in Chicago.

But I may be back to DC, who knows?

As someone once told me, “The world is your oyster.” There are many possibilities out there for you—you only have to look and find them.

Week 9: Sun much?

2011-07-23T00:27:00.000-04:00

The clock is winding down. And fast too. Work at ODEP, as always, is keeping me busy. With our big National Diversity Forum in less than a week, everyone at work has been in and out of meetings, myself included. By the way, what is with the weather these days, scorching hot can’t do it justice. I feel like I’m trapped in a giant heat sauna, except I’m wearing dress clothing. Wow, now I see why winter internships are so popular. Part of me still can’t believe I’m getting ready to leave DC, things have changed so much for me here. I’ve been able to meet, and still will meet many more awesome people. I’ve also been reminded how far I need to go, but as I learned again this summer, it’s all a process. The day you stop learning is when you stop living. Washington is in a tricky situation right now, but is that any different than usual. I’m looking forward to visiting the newseum tomorrow, and am looking forward to to enjoying my last weeks in DC. And who knows, maybe I’ll watch the final harry Potter film as well. Life tends to keep us all busy, and goes by rather quickly.

9th Week.

2011-07-22T21:42:00.000-04:00

Wow... this past week has been ridiculously crazy with all the phone calls due to the debt ceiling debate and the spending debacle. Aside from taking care of all the phone calls, writting letters and stuffing envelopes to all those call-ins is another thing we get to look forward to on a daily basis (even more so this coming week as August 2nd approaches). It will be interesting to see who take to the national spotlight to speak to our nation.

Aside from work, church has been going well. I've made so many great friends up here and while I am looking forward to heading home - I will miss alot of great people up here. I've also had some time to work on a few things back home for a non-profit I run; it will be nice to finally be able to run it from the office rather than remotely up here in D.C.; but being up here has opened up amazing new opportunities!

-Steven Policastro

9th Week, 9th Blog

2011-07-22T20:03:00.003-04:00

The scorching sun sneaked through my pink buttoned up blouse. My black shades covered my eyes as I inhaled and exhaled the heat.

I remember the hot days in Iraq as the sandstorms whipped up the air. The hottest hour was lunch time.

The journey to the dining facility was open to fire. Carrying whale loads of weaponry and ammo was the standard with combat gear always at the ready.

There might have been a little sand in the back of my ears, but I guarantee you my M-16A2 Rifle was always clean.

I had a special way of cleaning my weapons that did kept my fellow battle buddies alive. Simple Green works wonders, along with q-tips and baby wipes.

Thanks mom for the several care packages that you sent with those supplies and much more! They helped my missions stay safe.

Dissembling and reassembling my weapon became an art of its own form. It depended on me to keep it clean and I relied on it for safety of lives.

My battle buddy and I took turns sleeping in the sand after we dug our fighting positions with our Army green entrenching tools.

The hole is dead quiet, listening, waiting, but always alert and scanning the area.

My pockets have pokey bait. Grandma sent me peanut butter granola bars. I give half to my battle buddy. He's in the infantry and doesn't get care packages from back home.

We don't know the next time we are going to eat chow, but we do know what we are supposed to shoot at. That's why we are here in this hole, not to eat the buffet, but I most definitely appreciate the snacks from my grandma.

I've got my compass near by and my flashlight too. My dog tags are sticking to my chest.

I see something moving. I nudge my battle buddy. Quick like a bunny he wakes and gets his weapon in focus.

It's our Sergeant. He says we did so good on our shift we get to move on to another hole, but wait this one is a five star hole. It's got extra sandbags.

Hooah!

-Krista Dora

Politics or Human Nature?

2011-07-22T14:36:00.001-04:00

As I sit at my desk and reflect on the politics going on all around me, I cannot help but think about the true nature of politics, democracy, and what it means to be a good citizen. Every time I turn on C-Span, or any of the mainstream media stations all I hear is the debt-ceiling, the Balanced Budget Amendment, and Cut Cap and Balance. It is both exciting and stressing at the same time. I am excited to be in the middle of it here in Washington D.C at a time when so many interesting things are happening, where I can at least feel part of it, but at the same time I am not sure if this is the right way to deal with the issues. I cannot deny that I am getting a little sick of all the politicking going on around here.

On one hand the talk is all about cutting spending and getting rid of high cost subsidies, and on the other hand it is about ending Bush Era Tax Cuts, closing existing tax loopholes, and raising taxes on the wealthy to generate revenue to balance the budget. Both the Democrats and the Republicans make excellent points. It seems like both sides have staked out their own ground and neither side is willing to compromise.

Then there are the angry telephone calls from constituents, complaining about not losing their social security, and health care benefits. Nobody wants to give up anything, and everybody wants to have their cake and eat it too. Isn’t it time to think about what is good for our country, good for America, rather than what is good for ourselves? Can’t we live by John Kennedy’s words of “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”—or were they just empty words?

But perhaps the most frustrating part of it all is how much each representative tries to reflect the wishes of their constituents. Almost every public meeting I have attended, they have talked about the pole numbers. Every lawmaker is checking the pulse of his or her constituents’ to understand their desires and wants. But is this what democracy all about? Aren’t the leaders here to effect change and lead? Do they need to hear from their constituents about every issue? Are they not allowed to make decisions independent of constituents and interest groups that are in the interest of every citizen in this country, rather than the interest of their small district, or is it just in the human nature to play politics all the time to see who can get what and how?

These are all very tough questions, and I believe that we need to start finding answers to them if we are to have progress in this country. No politician can keep everyone happy, so they need to stop trying. I cannot put it any better than Abraham Lincoln when he said, “You can keep some of the people happy most of the time, you can keep most of the people happy some of the time, but you can never keep all of the people happy all of the time.”

Democracy is all about getting our voices heard, but that also means compromising so that we can have a functioning government. The American people told our elected officials what to do when they elected them into office, and now it is time for those lawmakers to go and fulfill their promises that they made during the elections. It is time for our politicians to have the courage to make the right decisions, not the decisions that will keep them in office. Democracy does not mean that every decision has to be made by the electorate. If that is the case, then why elect officials in the first place? We can have every American citizen vote on everything electronically. We certainly have the information and the technology to do this. If America is to live up to its creed, and if we are to create hope in young people like myself, we need to change the way we do politics in this country. Democracy is all about tolerance, compromise, understanding, individualism, and independent decision making, and that is why I love being an American. At the end of the day, I believe we do have a chance of doing the right thing if we set our minds to it. As Winston Churchill said,” America will always do the right thing after it has tried all the wrong things first.” Well let’s hurry up and do that right thing! We do not have time, and our values, principles, credit ratings and future is on the line.

Ralph Nader and Opera, oh my!

2011-07-19T16:30:00.002-04:00

Last week was such a blur; it was such an exciting week! First, I got to work on a complaint. I was tasked with ensuring the legal accuracy of sections of the complaint. These meant lots of Westlaw cite checking. In law school, I found cite checking process. Now, when I have a real complaint, I realize the importance of cite checking. It is so important to make sure the citations are accurate. I don’t want a case to get dismissed because I cited bad law! While this project may not seem exciting to non-legal people, it was so cool for me.
My week was also really exciting because I went to an intern event, hosted by Alliance for Justice, where Ralph Nader was the keynote speaker! He was so inspiring. He spoke about standing up for your beliefs and fighting the good fight. In a time where people are so frustrated by corporate America’s political influence, it is refreshing to hear some speak about standing up for your rights. His message gave me a much needed passion injection.
Over the weekend, I had the chance to indulge in my love of classical music. This weekend I went to the Baltimore art festival. The free festival, took up 30 blocks and featured artists and musicians. I got to see the Seven Sopranos sing opera arias and Broadway musical numbers. Since I used to sing opera, I loved hearing these women perform some of my favorite songs. It made me want to start singing again!

Week 8

2011-07-19T09:52:00.002-04:00

Week eight was a blast. My family flew in to DC on Wednesday morning from California to visit DC for the first time. In the time that they were here we went to the mall, along with seeing most of the great museums that are in DC. Even though I was in DC five years ago, I was still amazed when I went to the museums for the second time. For example, yesterday we went to the Holocaust museum and I was just as amazed as the first time.

We also went to New York City over the weekend. It was my first time to New York, and it was an eye opening experience. The amount of people and lights was unreal. We were fortunate enough to see Lion King on Broadway. The acting and costumes were amazing. I also ate great food. The first night we at a Cuban restaurant where I got my favorite dish ropa vieja. Ropa vieja is Cuban style shredded beef with sautéed beepers and onions. Along with eating the Cuban food, I ate New York style pizza. The best slice of Pizza I had was spaghetti and meatball pizza. At first it sounds a little odd but it was amazing. I will defiantly need to make a trip back to New York City hopefully in the near future.

Week 8

2011-07-19T09:12:00.002-04:00

Last week has gone pretty good for me at Homeland Security, considering that I completed my biggest project before the deadline. My supervisor has informed her boss about my project completion. They were very impressed, considering that everybody in the office works very slow and it is a rare that a project meets its deadline. Other than that, I wish I can say more about my other tasks and projects, but I can't.

Last Tuesday, I went to a Meet & Greet with the new President & CEO of AAPD, Mark Perriello. It was very nice of him to meet with everybody, including the interns along with many other people. He gave a pretty good speech and I think he will do a great job in the new position. It was also great to hear that him and AAPD is very involved in with the Congress about the debt ceiling and to prevent the Congress from cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

Week 8

2011-07-18T23:31:00.001-04:00

This week was mighty stressful at work but I guess that can happen. Someday I will roll with punches more and really understand things that are locked aren’t locked and things that are finalized aren’t ever finalized until they are over. On a better note my family was in town and I was able to do a bunch of touristy things which I have been putting off for quite some time. On Thursday night I was able to go on the after dark tour of D.C. I think that it was great to see all the historic monuments after dark as a different view. Over the weekend I was able to see the view from the top of the Old Post office, which is an incredible 360 degree view of the city. Additionally, I was able to go on a guided tour of the Capital. I was able to see both the Air and Space Museum and the Spy Museum. All of these historic attractions were topped with a small dinner with the family and a few other AAPD interns on Sunday before my family left Monday. Now it’s time for another week of work and I will be sure to keep you updated on that next week.

Week 8: Off to Canada!

2011-07-18T22:55:00.002-04:00

For the past week most sports fans have been focused on the Women's World Soccer Cup. I'll admit, that final game was both thrilling and heartbreaking. But there is another World Championship going on this week, albeit with decidedly less media attention, the Under 25 Women's Wheelchair Basketball World Championships. How do I know? I'm here in Ontario, Canada competing on team USA.

I was chosen for the team in April following a national try-out in Denver, Colorado. I've been training, mostly only my own for the past few months as our team is made up of girls from all over the country. I jetted off from DC this week to meet up with everyone and play some basketball!

Being here has been such an incredible experience so far. Getting to play with and against some of the best women's players in the world is awe-inspiring. So far, team USA is undefeated in pool play- beating Mexico, Australia, and Great Britain. We had a day off today and got to do a bit of sightseeing at Niagara Falls. Tomorrow we take on South Africa in the quarterfinals.

Here is the link in case you want to follow along. http://www.u25wwbc.com/

I can't really describe what an incredible feeling it is to represent my country. Every time I put on my USA jersey I get chills. I think my time spent in DC has really added to that feeling. I have never in my life been so proud to be an American.

I feel so fortunate for both of the amazing opportunities I have had this summer. Hopefully, by the next time I write a blog post I will be back in DC with a gold medal around my neck.

Meetings -- by Alec Frazier

2011-07-18T13:28:00.018-04:00

This week, I went to a lot of meetings.

Alec Frazier is Ready for His Business Week!

On Monday, I went to a Session of the US Access Board. My mentor, Mat McCollough, is a new Public Member of the Board appointed by the President. The US Access Board creates and rules on guidelines for the compliance of the ADA as it pertains to physical disability. When I went they were discussing "Transfer": when someone with physical accommodation i.e. wheelchair, canes, crutches moves to non-disabled placement, i.e. roller coaster, chair, medical table. The committee hearing was born of a study that was originally designed to help mainstream people with physical disabilities at theme parks. It is still preliminary, but so far it is the only in-depth study on the matter.

David Hale introduces Mark Perriello and Joyce Bender as the respective new President & CEO and Board Chair of AAPD

On Tuesday, I attended the opening of the 2011 Annual NCIL conference; more on that later. That evening, the AAPD Summer Interns were presented with two very special people. Mark Perriello is our new President and CEO, and it is really fun speaking with him! He and I had conversed before at an HSC function. Meeting Joyce Bender, AAPD's new Board Chair, was a wonderful experience. I would recommend that everyone join Bender Lead On Team, her effort against the bullying of people with disabilities. As a personal note, I wish that everyone also join It Gets Better, the internationally famous campaign against the bullying of people because of their gender identity and/or sexual orientation.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius Gives the Keynote Speech before NCIL

It was great to hear about AAPD's efforts to save Medicaid. I might be dead without Medicaid, so this is personal for me. The Declaration boldly proclaims "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." The Constitution promises to "provide for the general welfare" and through the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees "equal protection under the law", and this pertains to healthcare as well. And although I don't follow a traditional religion, I know the Bible says, "blessed are the poor" and "blessed are the meek".

Alec Frazier with Congresswoman Kathy Hochul of Western New York’s 26th Congressional District

The NCIL Conference was great! The only problem I have is that the conference focused too much on the organization, that is the National Council on Independent Living, and not enough on the practice of independent living itself. But, we were there to do business, and I tagged along with my state's (New York's) delegation in putting our case to Congressmen, both Senators and Representatives. I even got to meet my University's Representative, Kathy Hochul of New York's 26th!

Lessons of Love

2011-07-18T09:59:00.001-04:00

Passion and love is something I always want to hold onto; never anger and resentment. This summer has been touching the essence of what it means to be Keri Gray on every level possible, including my love life. I have grown academically, personally, professionally and spiritually. Deep, right? However, I never thought it would affect me in the area of love.

Now may not be the best time to write this blog on how I feel about love because the way I felt two days ago has changes numerous times since up to today. However, I feel compelled to share in moments of confusion and inconsistency because I know at least one other person can relate to me.

I met a guy here in DC the very first day I was in town. I mean I was off the plane, put my things down in the apartment, socialized with my new roommates, and then out at a store I made a connection that would deeply impact my life. Our relationship moved very fast, but surprising I was okay with that. See I had always been a person to hold back tremendously out of fear of the unknown, but being that way never would lead me to being real with myself or the one I was with. When I came upon this new man who deep interested me, I choose to be different open up and trust as much as I could. We were happy. Yes, definitely had our arguments and definitely had our issues, but we were happy. That is until Friday.

It has been said everything happens for a reason. We live and we learn from all the actions that happen in our life. Then I have to ask the question, why was it necessary for me to learn the message so harshly? I feel blinded on what the message given to me is because a pain dwells within my chest so powerful that I can not see clearly. What should I do? What lessons on love have you learned? How did you get past the pain to see the message at the end of the road? This is where I am at on my emotional journey thus far…waiting.

Week 8

2011-07-18T08:37:00.000-04:00

Hello everybody,

This was a full week of work and I was hustling on my projects, trying to finish them so I could move on to new ones. I love seeing progress being made and with 3 weeks left, I realize time is running short for me to continue to make an impact for the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law. Thus, the drive to complete more work before I end my internship. This week I worked on a couple of projects related to outreach, one was related to getting contact information for all the pledges that we have committed to our initiative of increasing the inclusion of people with disabilities so we could build rapport with them and work together on increasing the number of disabled people employed. The other project was related to updating the ABA law directory so people could have an idea of who to contact regarding disability issues in their respective state, basically raising awareness.

I also had a meet and greet with the CEO of AAPD, Mark Perriello, on Tuesday and it was nice to have a chat with him. I like getting opportunities to network and build relationships with people who are essential to the success of improving and defending the rights of disabled people. For fun on the side, I got to see the Transformers 3 movie, and it’s always nice to have a bit of old-fashioned summer fun.

-Colton J

Another Great Week

2011-07-18T07:33:00.000-04:00

Another great week in Washington, D.C., both personally and professionally! It is hard to believe eight weeks have passed. But so much was done, once again. I went to Georgetown and saw the sights with a gaggle of interns, went to the Library of Congress with my good friend and his Mom. We saw Jefferson’s collection that he sold to Congress to rebuild our Nation’s library after it had been destroyed when the British burned Washington. My friend and I went to lunch at a landmark Capitol Hill restaurant, and then took in the National Portrait Gallery, with its eclectic mix of Gilbert Stuart presidential portraits to Andy Warhol’s paintings of celebrities. Once again, I had a great time because of the company, but once again I was frustrated by the efforts needed and the inconvenience imposed upon us in order to get to where we were going and to see the things we wanted to see. Both the building layouts, and placement of Metro elevators in relation to platforms and exits were a significant source of frustration; although it is not something I must necessarily live with on a daily basis, it is an experience I will not ever forget- which will aid me in my advocacy for disability rights, policy, law.

-Rick Sommer

Professionally, I also experienced another great week. On the Senate Committee, we are sending legislation to the floor for a vote. Accompanying all proposed legislation must be a lengthy report that gives background information about the legislation, as well as a discussion of what each of the provisions will do, or change current law, or impact society of how an agency operates. So I spent the majority of my week working on writing, re-writing, and editing report language for healthcare, administrative, education, and labor provisions of a large piece of legislation. My first year of law school prepared me for quite a bit- legal writing and analysis, statute construction and regulation parsing, but this report is on a whole new level. It has been exciting, though, and I have learned a tremendous amount about how and why Congress does what they do.

USA vs. Japan

2011-07-17T22:49:00.001-04:00

At work this week, I was assigned to set up an alternative text for a powerpoint presentation, and I was nervous since I do not have full knowledge of how to set up the closed captions. It was interesting because I had to figure out how to set the alternative text and once I figured out how, it was much easier.

My good friend from Long Island came to visit me in D.C. this weekend. We had a nice dinner at Good Stuff Eatery which provided delicious hamburgers and their special sauce. The milkshakes were quite expensive but they are worth every cent. This place was recommended to me by another friend. I thought it would be a good idea to bring my friend along. I did not realize that the chef was from “Top Chef.” They also had a restaurant next to it owned by the same chef. We went to the movie, Harry Potter. I did not keep up with all of the Harry Potter movies but I enjoyed the last one. I can’t believe it is actually the last movie.

We went to Newseum, a media museum that I heard that was the best museum in D.C. The only difference between Newseum and most of the other museums in the District is that you have to pay to enjoy this museum - but it is worth your money. There were a lot of cool things to see. We hung out with a few friends from our school. We went to Eastern Market while they were closing. We sat at a restaurant and chatted for a few hours. It was a nice catch-up. We also went to National Zoo and aww, we saw some cute animals. I remember when I was younger, I always loved to go to the Zoo, but as you get older, you go only every now and again. I am sure when I have my children, I will go there often like the old times. We watched the World Cup and wow, it was really a hot game. Japan did deserve it at the end but I know USA worked really hard to reach where they are. Abby Wambach is really good with her head and one of the best players on the team. She is from Rochester where I go to college.

I know Monday will be my longest day since I have to get up super early to drop my friend off at Union Station before heading to work. But that’s life. :)

week eight, everything is getting busy

2011-07-17T22:43:00.000-04:00

This week was very interesting. Starting on Monday, I had lots and lots of faxes dealing with the ongoing issue of social security and medicare cuts. Lots of Americans across the nation are very angry about this issue. I also got to learn how to sign letters with a new signing machine.

Later on this week, I tried a new restaurant that I had never been to. I went to a restaurant called Cosi's. Cosi's has really good food that seems really healthy in comparison to the other junk food that I sometimes eat. I also visited the union station and realized that the union station was like a huge shopping mall or airport set up because I didn't know that it consisted of metro services all the way from boston down to washington. However, I'm only here to see the Washington Metro area not anywhere else. I just did not realize that the union station had some east coast service that runs several states whereas I thought the union station was some random metro station like any other in the D.C. area.

The weekend was pretty calm for me because I had just been exploring what kind of jobs online I can get after I get out of school with my bachelor's degree. I went to Rosslyn, Virginia for the first time over the weekend as well. Rosslyn was really affluent and pretty. There are alot of fancy apartments in the area. I'm still trying to get used to the fact that the home ownership in the D.C. area is not as common as a state like Ohio which is where I'm from. Overall, my week went well.

An Active Week!--Phew!

2011-07-17T22:30:00.001-04:00

This week I attended the NCIL rally with a few other AAPD interns. While Iunfortunately was not able to snap a picture with Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), I had a really excellent time. On our march to Capitol Hill from the Grand Hyatt near Metro Station we chanted phrases like “What to we want? –ILA! When do we want it? –Yesterday!” and “Hey hey, ho ho, nursing homes have got to go!” Everyone was so esthusiastic and I was further excited by the fact that I would be able to march with my fellow Georgians. ☺
This weekend I FINALLY was able to watch the highly anticipated ending of Harry Potter (Midnight tickets had been sold out for weeks and as had Friday tickets, so by the time Saturday rolled around I was itching to watch how it would all end.). I also went to the Holocaust Museum near the Smithsonian. While this was probably the third time I’ve visited a Holocaust museum (once in NY and twice in DC), this was the first time I noticed that before the Nazis’ horrible extermination of the Jews, they actually sought to remove individuals with disabilities first. In what Hitler called “operation T4,” approximately 70,000 people with congenital deformities, mental retardation, mental illnesses, or phyical defects were done away with by Nazi-employed physicians and surgeons. They proceeded to gas or often lethally inject these men, women, and children because of their “genetic impurities.” It was absolutely sickening to see the atrocities committed by the Nazis and even though I, personally am not Jewish, the museum exhibit does an exellent job of allowing its guests to see a common humanity in the victims of the holocaust. For me, learning about how people wth disabilities were “dealt with” as well as “the homosexuals” was especially striking. As the exhibit mentioned lesbians and gay men were branded with pink triangles and given the most difficult jobs to peform; most did not survive.
On a lighter note, afterwards I ended my week with a trip to Cone-E Island, an ice cream parlor with my friends, Steph, Koua, Krista, and Emma. We had delicious mango frozen yogurt and made plans for another outing next Friday near U-Street. Woo hoo!

-Posted by Nicole Tay

My how time flies

2011-07-17T21:37:00.000-04:00

This past week was more of a streak than a period of time. On Tuesday we had our second installment of Let’s Read Let’s Move, and I think that it was a resounding success. Due to the heat index reaching near 110 we had to move the event indoors once again; however, I feel that it still worked out well. Our special guests, in addition to Sec. Arne Duncan, were Congressman Miller of California and the lead singer of the Fiery Furnaces, Eleanor.

Also on Tuesday, I attended a meet and greet with Mark Perriello, the new President and CEO of AAPD. It was wonderful opportunity where I was actually able to engage in more of a conversation with him and other influential people within the disability community. The new chairman of the board, Joyce Bender, was also in attendance and gave a wonderful speech outlining her vision for the future of individuals with disabilities. Mark also gave an inspiring speech of where he feels that AAPD will be going in the future. It was wonderful to meet all of these individuals and catch up with my fellow interns.

Wednesday, in an effort to wind down from what has been a stressful couple of weeks, some interns and other individuals that I work with at the Department of Education and myself decided to go to a country karaoke bar. We had a wonderful time listening to everyone sing. Some of us were trying to get on the list to sing, but it is taking more than a couple of hours to get your name called because there were so many people. I’ve never seen a karaoke bar that packed before–it was a blast!

Well–that’s all for now, stay classy.

NCIL Conference

2011-07-17T21:24:00.001-04:00

This week I had the opportunity to attend the National Council on Independent Living annual conference. The amazing Yoshiko Dart arranged for me and several other interns to attend the conference for free so I want to send her a big thank you. The conference opened with great speeches by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Thomas Perez for the Department of Justice Office of Civil Rights. Both gave great speeches and it’s nice knowing that there are some people with government who are familiar with and concerned about disability rights issues (because sometimes it seems that is not the case). I also attended several panel discussions. Of particular interest to me was to one on violence against people with disabilities. I have served on the Illinois Imagines Public Policy Committee which looks and sexual violence against women with disabilities. The panel discussed many of the same issue that the committee has explored, but it was nice hearing for the IL perspective because I have more of an anti-violence movement background. The highlight of the conference was the march to the capital and rally. The rally had several great speakers including AAPD’s Mark Perriello and Joyce Bender, Sen. Harkin, Sen. Sanders, and Rep. Schakowsky.

8th Week.

2011-07-17T21:16:00.002-04:00

This week has been very interesting, as the debt ceiling debate looms over The Hill... I am sure it will get more intense as these next three weeks come along full-speed ahead. Lately, the phone lines have been flooded with calls - luckily I have gottent to attend a few briefings and hearings, so I have gotten some time out of the office. But, I enjoy being on the phone trying to make people leave the call with a smile! That's my number one goal - that way I look at it, is if you are not able to bring a smile to the person's faces on the other end then you have failed to do your job - it can be tough, but with patience and persistence it can be accomplished!

This weekend I got to hangout with a myriad of friends - from a few up here in The District to a couple from back home. Going to the American History Museum was very intersting, we only got to tour the west wing, but it was so interesting to take a "step back in time" like that!

This coming week I am really looking forward to going to the Newseum! I hear great things about it! :)

I'm looking forward to making the eight-hundred (plus) mile trip back home to The Southland; I am thankful for the experience here up in Washington, DC - but am yearning for the slow-paced life back home!

Politicking with the Usual Grip and Grin

2011-07-17T20:02:00.002-04:00

It is with renewed energy that I returned to work this week after I came back from the NFB (National Federation of the Blind) convention in Orlando. Which is good too, since I had such a busy week ahead of me.

This week was a great week for meeting all kinds of interesting people. First, on Wednesday I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast reception with Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a young republican, and a rising star from Illinois’s eleventh congressional district. The reception was put together by the GOP Youth Convention in Washington D.C. It was held at the RNC headquarters on the hill. The reception was an excellent opportunity to meet other young conservatives and to hear from a republican that has a more realistic and a fresher view of what it means to be a young GOP member. Mr. Kinzinger was very charismatic and well spoken. He was immediately able to warm up to his young audience and he had their attention and respect throughout the entire reception.

Congressman Kinzinger spoke about the need to compromise and to think about what is good for America rather than just what is good for one’s district. He spoke about the need for tolerance and respect, because after all, we are all Americans, and we all have the interest of this country at heart. No matter what political party we may belong to, at the end of the day we have to walk across the isle and shake hands and respect one another.

Unlike his more conservative republican buddies, Mr. Kinzinger spoke about the need to increase taxes to generate revenues, and to close tax loopholes, as well as decrease spending, and to understand that we are all in this together, and that we all have to make hard sacrifices. He also spoke of the need for America to find a way to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, so that we can reach complete energy independence, so that we don’t have to send all of our money abroad to Arab countries that give it to support terrorists that then come and attack us in our homes. Last but not least, Mr. Kinzinger stressed the need to make sure that we continue to grow and defend our country so that we can insure that our country is still robust for years to come, so that we can continue to maintain our superpower status in the world. According to Mr. Kinzinger, we can cut spending from the military, the health care, social insurance, and increase taxes on the wealthy, and get rid of old and outdated programs, cut spending and still achieve economic prosperity and at the same time maintain our military superiority.

I did not get to shake hands with Mr. Kinzinger because he was in a hurry, although I would have liked to do so very much. I believe that he is a rising star, and he may become a powerful leader in the Republican Party in the near future. I wish him all the luck.

During Mr. Kinzinger’s reception, the chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus also popped in to say hello to all the young interns. He was definitely not as cool as Congressman Kinzinger. He just did not have any fresh ideas or views. Oh well, not everyone is a wizard, and they can’t all pull rabbits out of their hats.

Another interesting person that I met this week was the Fox News Analyst Karl Rove, the former chief of staff of President George W. Bush. He was having a breakfast reception with members of the house on the hill, and I attended the reception with one of the other interns in our office. The meeting was most illuminating. It was a great opportunity for me to understand the arguments made by my very conservative buddies. Although I did not agree with everything he said, I think it was still a good opportunity to hear him speak and to get to shake his hand at the end.

Last but not least, this week I had the opportunity to meet with the departing Minister of Congressional Affairs at the Israeli Embassy to the United States Daniel Meron. Mr. Meron was visiting our office and I had the chance to meet him and talk with him for a few seconds. He seemed to be a very bright person. I wish I had had more opportunity to speak with him. I hope that I will get to meet him some time again in the future.

All around it was a great week for meeting lot of important people and I hope that the next three weeks will be just as event filled. I hope to meet as many important and intelligent people as I can before I leave Washington D.C. because I understand that this is a very unique opportunity that I have been given, and I want to take full advantage of it.

Employment Crossroads

2011-07-17T19:45:00.002-04:00

Over the last five business days employment for people with disabilities has been a prominent topic of discussion. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) held a hearing Thursday entitled “Lessons from the Field: Learning from What Works for Employment for Persons with Disabilities.” Thursday afternoon members of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Office of Public Engagement and Office of Presidential Personnel hosted a live chat on disability policy including employment, education, and health care to name a few. The NCIL (National Center on Independent Living) Conference took place in DC this week, including a Hill rally and legislative visits. And on a personal level I spent time this week receiving advice from different people as I continued my search for employment.

Logically, I know finding a job is difficult for anyone right now. We have all heard the media pundits talk about the 9.2 percent national unemployment rate, but what is often overlooked is the unequal distribution of unemployment amongst different groups, be it race, gender, age, education level, disability, or any amalgamation of the above. Current data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a general, yet disturbing, trend – as the unemployment rate for non-disabled people decreases the unemployment rate of disabled people increases.

So what does this mean for a disabled woman with two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree? For a person with a bachelor degree or higher the unemployment rate is only 4.4 percent, but as a disabled woman the unemployment rate is a staggering 18.8 percent (a 4 percent increase since June 2010). The numbers are appalling, yes, but they do not explain what this means to a disabled person seeking employment. My job search reality will be different than most, it will necessitate a much longer, demanding, and intensive commitment.

One of the salient points of my master’s thesis is reflected through my current job search reality: No matter how many policies, directives, laws, or orders are implemented, people with disabilities will continue to experience inequality until social attitudes embrace, rather than fear, disability.

~Brenda

Current employment data can be viewed through the following links:
Disability and Unemployment rates
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t06.htm

Education and Unemployment rates
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t04.htm

Race and Unemployment rates
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t02.htm

Zach Holler Week 7 Post

2011-07-17T19:28:00.002-04:00

This week was filled with learning opportunities for me. I was given a new assignment, to review comments from various organizations around the nation regaurding Medicaid reform. This gave me the opportunity to learn about new proposed regulations from Medicaid that are intended to improved independant living options for people with disabilities in their homes and communities. Reviewing a handful of comments from organizations in the independant living industry helped me to broaden my horizon regaurding potential outcomes of the proposed regulations.
On thursday, I was also fortunate enough to participate in the march and rally at the capital, put on by the National Council on Independant Living. I joined a large crowd of people with disabilities outside of the Grand Hyatt Hotel where we began the march to Capital Hill to demand opportunities to live independantly in our own homes. After arriving on the Hill, I heard from a number of speakers, including relevant members of Congress, express their support for Medicaid and other programs to allow people with disabilities to live in the community. While there is hope that upcoming legislations will support the independant living philosophy, we have much work to do to prepare our disability community for potential outcomes. This is more important now than ever, that we step forward, one by one to tell our representatives what we want to see for our country and community. Stand firm and make your voices heard!
Posted by Zach Holler

8th Week, 8th Blog

2011-07-17T17:25:00.003-04:00

Spring semester snowed in too quickly for me to catch a snowflake on my tongue. At least I had you to savor, my sweet sage.

Clandestine trysts started on the seventh floor's folklore section. Magic happened between the bookshelves. I remember...

Conversations evoked curiosity and the innate craving to learn. I wanted to know you, the house shaped birthmark on your back, the checkered scar on your stomach, and the thumbprint of a freckle on your inner left thigh.

The winter days I held you in my arms surrounded by ancient books stocked monument high that made sounds of all different sorts. Barn animals freed themselves mooing and oinking.

Our hearts a stirring fire cooled by natural flowing water. Run water run. Breathe baby breathe.

Cotton blankets covered the majestic tile floor. Softly dipping the finest ink tip in paint the most sensual poet exploded on canvas.

You were a delight first thing in the morning before my granola bar, and a liberation after my long runs.

The chirping of my heart bounced in excitement holding your hand walking up the isles of literature. Fairy tale stories jumped out of the ripped pages.

Laughing, a fluffy cloud. Loving you, a honeymoon bursting of colors.

Understanding, you decipher my poems, the penny I leave behind to the world. You know the maze of my body, the enigma of my mind and I love you for it beyond what written words could muster.

-Krista Dora

Week 8: When is too late?

2011-07-17T17:14:00.001-04:00

Wow, the NCIL conference was amazing. It seemed to be like a whirlwind, high energy, high power the whole time. I got to meet many advocates I grew up admiring, like Judy Heumann,Michael Winter and Colleen Starkloff. I’ve even met some friends of old friends and mentors. Man, it was so weird speaking to many of them, as I’ve been wanting to meet them for so long, and here we are talking about sports, the disability community and the future for young people with disabilities. One thing I’ve noticed, though, about all of the leaders of disability rights advocacy movement today, is they are educators first. They want us to learn about the history that brought people with disabilities to where we are today, but not to glorify themselves, but to understand where we are today, and where we need to be. One thing I found kinda funny though, was how many people were looking for perfection for people with disabilities know. I know they know change won’t come right away, but it underscores a much larger point for our community, we aren’t building a sustainable structure for leadership, connectivity, and education. We haven’t yet developed a strong sense of community, and we haven’t expressed that at the polls, our in broader groups. We’’ve forgotten that it isn’t about the issues, as much as it is about life. Disability advocacy has always been organized around a community, and we can’t forget that. Cil’s need to go back to being community centers, and connecting with each other on a personal and relational level. All in all, the conference was amazing, as was the training from Jim Dixon. I learned so much this week.

NCIL conference by Margie!

2011-07-17T13:35:00.000-04:00

This week has been a blur like many previous weeks!
Monday I worked, met with my supervisor, had lunch, worked some more.

Tuesday I worked, had a Spanish speaking lunch with my coworker, worked, and then went to the Orientation session for the National Conference on Independent Living (NCIL). We had an AAPD meet and greet with the new CEO of AAPD Mark Perriello. I was able to see Yoshiko Dart and thank her personally for her generous donation of a NCIL conference scholarship on my behalf.

Wednesday I went to the NCIL conference. Then I went out with my friends from the program Anupa, Crystal and Crystal’s friend Terry.
Thursday, I went to a Senate hearing on Employing People with Disabilities among other interesting aspects of my day.

Friday, I went again to the NCIL conference where we had a fascinating talk about mental health and the independence living movement.
Saturday, I went to a workshop on leadership and power with Jim Dickson, and two of my other fellow AAPD interns, Hamza and Brenda.
Sunday, I stood in line for tickets to go up in the Washington Monument only to discover that the tickets would not be available right away. My friend Krista and I walked back and I got ready to meet with my friend Rachel, who is working at USCID the United States International Council on Disabilities.

A very busy week!! Some highlights of next week:
Monday, having lunch with my wonderful mentor Maggie Roffee who has invited me to a “Divas Dinner” Tuesday night.
Thursday, Office of Personnel Management briefing and Resume Workshop Thursday night.
Friday, lunch with Leah Katz-Hernandez who is the 2011 AAPD Youth in Transitions Fellow.

Lots of fun and helpful things planned for my last three weeks here!!
Margie

2011 National Council on Indepedent Living Conference

2011-07-17T11:01:00.001-04:00

This week was marked by a very big event in Washington DC. That event is the annual National Council on Independent Living conference which took place at Grand Hyatt in downtown DC gathering almost 700 participants.
NCIL has been for the United States International council on Disability, an opportunity to educate people about the CRPD. In the same event it was for USICD an opportunity to meet very important persons of Disability Rights Movement, the persons who will help to advocate for the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disability.
Thursday the 14th of July the event moved from Grand Hyatt hotel to the Capitol Hill where participants had to march and meet with various Senators and Representatives all this for the promotion of CRPD ratification by the US. My job was to arm the NCIL conference participants with everything they needed to know about the CRPD.

The conference took place from Wednesday the 13th of July to end Saturday the 16th of July.

Another Week of Work and AAPD Adventures

2011-07-16T23:05:00.002-04:00

This week I had a variety of events through both work and AAPD. Tuesday, AAPD hosted a meet and greet with their new CEO Mark Perriello. Even though I did not get to personally meet Mark it was nice to check out AAPD’s office. Wednesday I spent much of the day editing my part of the DOT-wide Resource for Hiring People with Disabilities, which is almost complete. Thursday I took half a day off of work and participated in the NCIL Rally. It was my first experience with something like this and it was an amazing experience. I can see myself coming back to do this again. After marching from the Grand Hyatt I had the pleasure of hearing many disability advocates address the crowd. As I sat under the trees and looked around it was an amazing sight to see everyone so fired up about issues that affect us all. Afterwards we had pictures taken with Senator Harkin and Yoshiko Dart. Friday I attended a meeting for all the DOT interns to give them information on how to become DOT employees. Saturday I finally got to go to the Library of Congress which has been on my list since I got here. With only three weeks to go, I feel like I still have so many things I want to do before I leave.

Posted by Matthew Shapiro

Social Security: How Social, How Secure?

2011-07-16T15:52:00.002-04:00

This past week, my placement sent to of us to the National Academy of Social Insurance’s Demystifying Social Security, Academy for Interns 2011. Commonly, our generation is told that the social security system is broken, and, as the presenters illustrated with countless polls, today’s youth often accept that as being true. With the August deadline fast approaching, it was interesting to hear the other side of the argument.

Social security affects more people than I originally realized. Of course, retired folks depend on it in varying degrees, with the poorest twenty percent of people’s retirements consisting of at least eighty percent of benefits from social security. Even the richest folks receive forty percent of their benefits from it. SSDI is available for workers who must go on disability for a variety of reasons, and widows often rely on the benefits from their spouses. Young people, too, are eligible for the program through survivor’s benefits, given when children’s parents die to provide support for the family.

So, why isn’t the program broken? Social security is not part of what is called on-budget. In simplest terms, it’s separate from what the government spends. The money comes from a trust fund that’s already in place and from pay role taxes that employees and employers pay. If Congress did nothing for the next twenty years, and though everybody picks on Congress for its struggles the last few months, even that’s unlikely, current projections show no problems until 2037, when a twenty-three percent cut becomes required. As of 2009, it’s not running deficits that are not being covered from the fund.

In fact, social security’s got quite some things going for it. The recession in late 2009 impacted most groups, causing more people to enter or come closer to the poverty line. Yet, statistics show the retired population remained largely unaffected because of, yes, social security. It benefits our economy, too, ensuring that people have money to spend. Considering only one percent of its costs are administrative, the program is more cost-effective than most government programs.

So, is it salvageable? Well, we were broken to twelve groups of between eight and twelve people, given realistic cost-analyses, told to come to a consensus on which benefits to increase and methods for making the necessary revenues, and given sixty minutes to complete this task. Though there were debates over which benefits to add and the best, most fair, and most fiscally responsible way to pay for these additional benefits, every table succeeded. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

Week 7

2011-07-12T11:49:00.003-04:00

It was a sad day for me to see one of my favorite colleagues leaving my office last Friday. My blind colleague is being transferred out to the State Department for a new job adventure, but I'm happy for him; he's looking forward for it so much. We did have a farewell party for him last Wednesday, and I got to eat three free pizza slices! Whoo-hoo! He and I have become good friends and made jokes and shared common interests into technology and computers. You may wonder: "How in the world could a deaf person and a blind person communicate with each other?" The answer is: TECHNOLOGY. While technology make everything easier for people without disabilities, technology make everything possible for people with disabilities.

I am this very close to finish my biggest project, and I'm so much looking forward for more projects to come into my office in the near future. I'm sure that they are running out of ideas on what to give me, but I'm sure they will have something for me to do! :-) It has become more clear that they are enjoying it so much that I am here, considering that I am the only deaf person in the office; I'm also the only expert who knows programming.

My presentation to all deaf employees at DHS was GREAT; some came, most didn't make it. But the presentation was wonderful: they understood about Section 508 and our office's duties and responsibilities more clear. They did ask a lot of questions, which led to more clarifications for them to take more advantage and spread the word about our office. Before the presentation, I did went into the Secret Service building with my supervisor and my fellow deaf colleagues, and it was a very interesting experience. The building is very secured and we did have some struggle to make an entry due to a locked door failing to open upon the swipe of our cards. But after the meeting, presentation and lunch together, a Secret Service (SS) deaf employees gave me a tour of the museum inside which is very nice. Another deaf employee at SS said that she'll give me a tour to the entire building, especially the Counterfeit section where they do have a lab and people investigating on fake money. I'm so looking forward to it!

I also met this woman, Tanya, who is the first person I got in touch with from Homeland Security regarding my internship. She actually came to my presentation and watched me; and I didn't realize that she came just to watch me and wanted to talk to me. After the meeting, she came up to me and said that she have been so happy and proud for me. She then said that she want to take me to a tour across all components within Homeland Security, including ICE, CBP, Coast Guard, USCIS, Secret Service, and so forth along with a luncheon together. I'm thrilled!

So many deaf people outside there in the United States doesn't realize that there are many deaf employees working for the Federal Government across the country, mostly here in D.C. There are at least 7 deaf employees at IRS, at least 5 deaf employees at Secret Service, more than 10 at Department of Homeland Security, and several over there at Department of Defense. I know one from Human & Health Services, one from Department of Education, and two from Dept. of Transportation. It has been an eye-opener for me while I was networking with these people, and they has taught me a lot and gave me great advices. I'm lovin' my life here in D.C.!

Never underestimate yourself and your future.

Week 6 in DC

2011-07-12T11:28:00.000-04:00

As it comes to the sixth week of my internship in the AAPD office I am sad that the end is near. I have met so many amazing people and have done so many awesome things that wouldn’t have been possible if AAPD hadn’t brought me on. Today, I met three families who AAPD brought to D.C. to meet with officials at the White House and the Hill to talk about why Medicaid shouldn’t be cut. It was great to work with people and assist them getting to where they needed to go in the city. I really enjoy working in the office but my passion is working hands on with people. Next month once I get to Camphill I will be able to get in and dirty, working hands on side by side with people with disabilities. I don’t want to rush the next two weeks I have though, because I will miss everyone and miss working in D.C.

Pure Exhaustion, Friends, and the Zoo -- by Alec Frazier

2011-07-11T16:54:00.009-04:00

Male Giant Panda Tian Tian at the National Zoo

Hi. All week I seem to have been just barely clinging on with chronic fatigue and migraine headaches. It should be noted that I have not expended this much effort on living a healthy, productive life in years. So despite my weariness, I am very happy and content.

A Male Common Cuttlefish at the National Zoo. Sooooooo CUTE!!!

On Friday I went out for a great dinner at Clyde's with my mentor, Mat McCollough, and some friends of his. It turns out that one of them lives down the block from my school-time residence in Buffalo! We exchanged information and promised to stay in touch.

A Giant Anteater looks for food--ants, of course--in the wall of his enclosure at the National Zoo.

On Sunday I went to the National Zoo with my Roommate Michael Grant, and we had a really fulfilling time. All in all a rewarding end to a week of hard work!

Importance of People First Language

2011-07-11T16:15:00.001-04:00

My first introduction to “people first language was nearly two years ago when I was interning at Disability Rights Washington. At the time, I was brand new to the disability movement. I made the mistake of saying that the office door had a “handicapped” sign on it. The entire office gasped at my error and my boss gave me some information on people first language. Ever since that experience, I have worked hard to promote people first language. To me, people first language pays respect to people with disabilities- they are on a grammatical level playing field. Rather than being defined by a disability, an individual is acknowledged for who he/she is, a unique human being. A disability is no longer a defining characteristic; it is an afterthought in a sentence.

I understand that "people first" may be unfamiliar to a number of people and I encountered this with someone I know at work. This person is new to the disability movement and kept referring to people with disabilities as “disabled persons”. I asked him why he did that, and he responded that it was easier to write that way. I told him about "people first" language and the important role it plays. I expected him to embrace it, but he didn’t. I was shocked to be challenged about the grammatical intricacies of people first by someone who wants to work as an attorney for people with disabilities. I believe that as advocates we have the responsibility to advance this movement and use appropriate terminology. The English language has prejudiced people for centuries. To achieve equality for people with disabilities advocates must take the first step forward, even if in this case it sounds a little weird!

Memories formed by the Harbor

2011-07-11T09:25:00.000-04:00

The ocean’s waves, french fries with vinegar and great sea food are on my list of favorite things. This past Saturday I was able to experience a segment these things when my mentor and I traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to invest in each other’s company by the harbor through deep reflection, discussion and of course shopping!

As mentioned in my previous blogs I was born in Maryland, but I have not been back to visit for quite some time now. When I received an invitation from Andraea to travel to Baltimore I was ecstatic and touched. How many people truly set aside to time to build on their relationship? How many mentors make the time to truly mentor the one they’re with? I know I have one who does, and she sets the standards for me in the future.

Traveling by train and then transferring to a light rail we made it to our destination in about 30min. As soon as we stepped off the platform I felt the power of Ice Cubes lyrics “today was a good day!” I could feel that’s how it would turn out. Very casually we strolled down about two blocks and ran right into the Harbor. Beauty is the word I’ll use to describe it. Beauty because of its physical nature of water, and boats and tall building, but mainly beauty because in that moment we were creating a memory in both our lives we would never forget. Throughout the day we talked about love, loss, fears, relationships, spirituality, men and memories that have shaped us to who we are. This summer experience is something I will be forever greatful for because it continuously sets a precedent of standards that I want nothing more than to excel in. Yes, Saturday was a good day.

Changing What It Means to be Blind

2011-07-11T00:58:00.001-04:00

In the Sixteenth Century John Bradford made a famous remark which has ever since been held up to us as a model of Christian humility and correct charity… Seeing a beggar in his rags creeping along a wall through a flash of lightning in a stormy night Bradford said: “But for the Grace of God, there go I.” Compassion was shown; pity was shown; charity was shown; humility was shown there was even an acknowledgement that the relative positions of the two could and might have been switched. Yet despite the compassion, despite the pity, despite the charity, despite the humility, how insufferably arrogant! There was still an unbridgeable gulf between Bradford and the beggar. They were not one but two. Whatever might have been, Bradford thought himself Bradford, and the beggar a beggar---one high, one low; one wise, the other misguided; one strong, the other week; one virtuous, the other deprived. We do not and cannot take the Bradford approach. Doctor Jacobus tenBroek, “Within the Grace of God” (July 1, 1956).

It is in an attempt to overcome the Bradford approach to blindness, and to reverse the everlasting stigma attached to blindness that every year I attend the National Federation of the Blind Conventions around the country. This year was no exception. July 1^st through 8^th, I was at the National Federation of the Blind Convention in Orlando Florida, with three thousand other blind people. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) convention is a time for blind people from around the country to come together and talk about the latest issues, changes, improvements, and challenges faced by the blind in America and the world. It is a time for blind folks to meet with one another, to share our stories of discrimination, to learn from one another, and to organize new ways of overcoming the obstacles put in front of us by society, and people that are of the same mind as Mr. Bradford. The NFB convention is always a time to get reenergized about fighting for the rights of the blind in America, and a time for us all to see firsthand what the blind themselves are doing to change what it means to be blind. The beauty of the NFB is that it is not a sighted charity group speaking for the blind, but it is the blind speaking and fighting for ourselves.

I cannot help but get excited when I see the new car designed to be driven by a blind person independently, or when I hear about students my age fighting the Law School Admissions Council for accessibility to application materials, or when I hear about the court cases the NFB wins on behalf of the blind to eliminate discrimination against us, or when I hear about the exciting new laws that are passed through the United States Congress, such as the Pedestrian Safety Act of 2010, to protect the safety and security of the blind in America, or the new technology in development to improve accessibility to the blind, such as the new Orion Android Device in production by Levelstar. After seeing all the positive changes taking place, and all the changes that we will make in the future, and the knowledge that we are the ones making these incredible changes, I cannot help but swell with pride that I have the opportunity to interact with so many driven, intelligent, and brightest people in the greatest, the richest, and the most advanced country in the world.

Although during the year most of us get too wrapped up in our personal lives, the NFB convention is a time for us to come together and refuel our minds, bodies and souls with the NFB philosophy of blindness, and to go back home with new plans, ideas and strategies to change what it means to be blind. After all, Mr. John Bradford is not alone in his ideas of the beggar status of the blind, there are billions like him around the world, and that means we all still have lot of work before us, to change and reduce the stigma attached to blindness in the view of the larger society.

What a beautiful weekend

2011-07-10T23:41:00.003-04:00

My work experience at the USDA continues to be really good. I am still learning and at the same time feel relaxed without any homework or school. I have been learning a lot about the department itself and have gained knowledge about its different branches. I am looking forward to what the next four weeks of work will bring.

What a fun-filled weekend I had. (Finally I put my laundry away in my dresser which has been sitting on the floors for the last couple of days.) I saw a few workers from the job that I have not seen for a while then after that, I went to Deaf Night Out or Deaf Night Live where I met a lot of old faces and caught up with them. I was not expecting to see half of them, but it was good to know that they are in D.C. Of course, most of them love D.C., even one woman who used to be a counselor at a camp I attended was telling me how much she loves D.C. I can see why. I still don’t know where I want to live in the future, however I am keeping my options open.

I went to the Library of Congress on a beautiful Saturday morning, and it was such a beautiful building. I then saw an old friend from a summer camp that I have attended for 8 years. We had a nice lunch and went to the dog park. She has two dogs, and she was also taking care of her friend’s dog, they were all adorable. After that, I went to a baseball game with Matthew Starr, Liz and one of my friends name Brittany, whom was my roommate my year at California State University-Northridge. We all enjoyed watching the Washington Nationals. Thanks to Matt for bringing me to the game along with my friend. Ben’s Chili was absolutely good. It was a cool experience and yet, a beautiful day, as well.

Today, I went to Arlington Cemetery. I went there a while ago and it felt good to go there again. There were perfect rows of stones that each represented an individual who served in the armed services in the war(s) in which America was engaged. We also went to the Diner in Adams Morgan which seems to be a nice neighborhood in which to hang-out. My next goal is to go to the National Zoo sometime soon which I plan on to this weekend.

Week 7

2011-07-10T23:41:00.001-04:00

Hello everybody!

Due to a short week at work, I had a lot more leisure time than I thought the remainder of the week. My girlfriend and I went out every day, weather permitting. The only thing I am a bit let down about missing was going to Georgetown Cupcakes; the weather ruined that plan for us. I also took the time to take a practice LSAT exam online in order to help me prepare for taking the real LSAT exam coming up in October that will be evaluated by the law schools I apply to. Fellow interns who have already experienced the rigors of studying for the LSAT tell me that I need to start dedicating some study time each week towards practicing for the LSAT. I hope to score high so I can qualify for the schools that I feel are the perfect fit for me after I graduate with my Bachelor’s in the spring. I love reading books with a passion in my spare time and have really gotten away from that in college and I had a nostalgic feeling this week about that so I went out and bought Michael Crichton’s best-seller Pirate Latitudes to read. Worth the read, and I must say I did feel more relaxed than I did at any point in this internship experience so far. Another thing that I did, WAS A MUST, watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One as part of my own build-up to the finale of the Harry Potter franchise that comes to theatres on the 15^th! I love harry potter, I have been a fan ever since the first book was published and can’t wait to see how the final book-to-movie translation turns out. The only thing that is a somewhat a disappointment to me is that I have to wait, a good 3 or 4 weeks, before I can see it. The reason is because, being deaf, I don’t have the accessibility to see a movie when it comes out with captions and thus, must wait a few weeks for the theatre to get it set up. Doing interactive activities out there, sometimes is not possible because I can’t understand what is happening and that is something I have to live with until accessibility is made easier and becomes even more widespread.

Well, as for this upcoming week at work, I plan to work a full week and get a lot of grunt work done regarding projects that other interns haven’t finished (I am the only intern that works Mondays-Tuesdays). I look forward to new and exciting projects to work on and am sure to have lots more to share with you fellow readers next week. Stay tuned…

-Colton Jannusch

Week 7!

2011-07-10T23:18:00.001-04:00

This week in DC has been exciting, but also very relaxing and low-key. Most notably, this week marked my momentous breakfast with Congressman Paul Ryan, which was very insightful as well as thought-provoking. It certainly gave me a lot to think about in regards to possibly running for office one day. I suppose the “relaxing and low-key” portions are most applicable to describe this weekend—since they are in the freshest portions of my memory. I began my weekend by watching a movie in Georgetown called “Horrible Bosses”, a comedy about three men who plot to murder each other’s bosses in “criss- cross” fashion because of the terrible—though granted very hilarious, ways their bosses mistreat them. Later that night I explored U-Street a bit more with Emma and my friend Andrew. After a bit of searching, we finally stumbled upon a delicious mexican restaurant (its name escapes me sadly) and chatted and ate for a while. Interestingly, we found ourselves quite heavily enagaged in a heated, but in no way offensive or rude conversation on politics. Though “social etiquette” would deem this an inappropriate subject matter, instead, it was quite a refreshing conversation to hear so many varying thoughts in play. On Sunday, Emma and I (again) as well as some friends from Wellesley went to the movies to watch X-Men: First Class—which surprisingly had many correlations with gay rights movement, disability rights movement, and the civil rights movement. Just as the X-Men are deemed the “mutant” out-group by non-mutated society, out-groups are established in the previously mentioned movements to create justifiable cause for disempowering, disenfranchising, and discriminating against people that are LBGT, with disabilities, or who are of color. To paraphrase a quote from the film, [a CIA agent says regarding to Emma Frost] “She’s a mutant, therefore, the laws of human beings don’t apply to her.” Additional, each movement often juggles two options in terms of combating injustice: assimilation, enacting change through the system OR using force to change the system itself. These two options ultimately create the divide in Erik (Magneto) and Charles (Professor X)’s relationship. Not to turn too much in to a comic book nerd (though X-men is probably my favorite,) but these were just a few thoughts that lingered through the conclusion of this weekend. ☺ In future news, I can’t wait to attend the NCIL rally! Perhaps I’ll be able to meet my congressman, John Lewis! Woo hoo!

-Nicole Tay

Week 7

2011-07-10T22:38:00.000-04:00

While this was a relatively short week it was an interesting it involved quite a few fire drills at 11 p.m., going to a hilarious movie called Horrible Bosses, seeing the Constitution and Declaration, seeing up an intern lunch series for all the interns at OPM, applying for a career fair for law students with disabilities, and going to a few new places to eat. While all of this was great I felt very rewarded that the lunch series, with Director of OPM I planned cam to fruition and was a success. I also spent time working to gather more information on student pathways and planning a major briefing for later this summer in conjunction with the roll out of the comment period on the new regulations which OPM will be releasing. While it sounds lame I did spend a majority of free time putting together my applications for the 2011 IMPACT career fair which will be held in D.C. later this summer. This week I was also able to meet with Andy Imparato and hear how he got to where he was and I was able to discuss my ideas for once I graduate next year. I will keep you updated. - Post Jason S

Week 7

2011-07-10T22:31:00.000-04:00

Week seven was a very fun week. First, I was invited to watch a double-header Nationals game in the Verizon Box. This experience was great. The seats were right behind home plate and there was awesome food. The other benefit of sitting in the box level seats was that we had indoor vendors and nice comfortable plush seating. After watching a game from a luxury box, I don’t think watching a baseball game will ever be the same. Although the Nationals did not win both games, it was still a good time. I am going the Nationals game tomorrow against the Rockies, although they are not box seats, I am sure it will still be a fun time.

Secondly, I went to the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl with fellow AAPD interns. The food was great. I definitely want to take my family to Ben’s when they come next week. While I was eating there, they played a video that gave a history of the establishment along with all the famous people that have eaten at Ben’s. One of Ben’s biggest fans is Bill Crosby. He not only is featured in the video, his picture is all over. In 2009, President Obama ate at Ben’s when he was the President Elect. I am happy that I have had the Ben’s Chili Bowl experience and can not wait to go there again.

week seven , Summer is going by fast

2011-07-10T22:19:00.000-04:00

This week was very interesting. One of the first things that I got to do this week was see the United States Supreme Court. I thought the Supreme Court was really exciting to visit because I got to learn all about the different ways that the laws are interpreted. I liked how the United States Supreme Court showed you the court room from the distance where the nine justices sit. I also thought it was interesting to learn that former Presidednt Reagan was the president who appointed the first woman justice in 1981. I also got to learn that President William Howard Taft was one of the important people who helped create the United States Supreme Court building. I knew that President Taft was a chief justice on the Supreme Court but did not know he was involved with creating the United States Supreme Court building. Overall, I learned so many things about the history of the United States Supreme Court while I was visiting it.

Congressman Hoyer's office was really interesting because a lot of the issues dealt with the different kinds of reactions that many americans had about the raising of the debt ceiling and how people felt about cutting social security and medicare. The weekend was fun because on Sunday I got to go back to the National Zoo but this time with a friend. The National Zoo was better than the week or two before because I got to see many more animals than last time I went. The zoo is very large. The zoo is comparable in size to the Cleveland Zoo in my opinion. I think the Cleveland Zoo is similar also because the National Zoo and the Cleveland Zoo are both located in an urban setting. I did not care for the bees though. I thought it was kind of strange to have an exhibit where there were lots of bees swarming around. Luckily I just kept walking past the exhibit which was outdoors. I enjoyed seeing the panda bear. The panda bear was really nice to see because I heard most zoos do not have the panda bear. This is what makes the National Zoo special and unique. Overall, I had a good week and weekend. I had lots to do like I always do.

USA USA USA

2011-07-10T22:14:00.000-04:00

Warning: the follow has nothing to do with AAPD, internships, Washington DC, or disabilities, it is just one crazy soccer fan’s reaction to an awesome game.

I had an incredibly exciting morning/afternoon and I didn’t even leave my room in my apartment. I am a huge, HUGE soccer fan and this morning I watched the US play Brazil in the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup. Now, I have watched a ton of soccer games in my life, since I was first dragged to my brother’s game at the age of one, and this game was probably in the top three of most exciting (US) games I have seen (US-China in ’99 final and US men-Algeria in last year’s group play being the other two).

The US went up 1-0 in the second minute by a Brazilian own goal. The next 60 minutes were evenly matched until the ref made two horrendous calls against the US. First, giving Rachel Buehler a straight red card (ejecting her) and awarding Brazil a penalty kick on a non-existent foul. After Hope Solo made a spectacular save, the ref allowed the Brazilians to retake the missed penalty because a US player nowhere near the shot-taker had a foot over the line (there might have been a little swearing at this point by yours truly). Although a rule, it’s one of those rules that is never enforced (like travelling in professional basketball). The remaining regulation time was evenly matched, maybe even slightly favoring the US, even though they were down a player.

In extra time, Marta (best player in the world 5 years running) scored a spectacular goal that only the best player in the world could make. Now the US was down 2-1 with only minutes to score and down a player. When it looked like the game was over, with literally 60 seconds left on the clock, Abby Wambach headed in a beautiful cross and tied the game! There was lots of screaming for joy at this point which I think frightened my personal care attendant.

The game was now going into penalty kicks. Hope Solo (perfect name for a goalie in my opinion) saved one shot and that was all that was needed as the US scored on all their kicks. In an appropriate occurrence, today was the 12 anniversary of the day the US beat China on penalty kicks to win the World Cup. The US will now face France in the semi-finals. I love soccer, but I don’t know if I can handle another game as intense as today’s so hopefully the US will have an easier time on the way to the finals.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Josh Groban, and Miss America... all in one week

2011-07-10T22:13:00.000-04:00

Well when I left you in my last post I was heading off for the Fourth of July festivities, so I suppose I will start there. We were able to attend the concert just off the steps from the US Capitol building where Josh Groban, Steve Martin, Jordan Sparks, Matthew Morrison (from Glee) and a couple others performed. I must admit it was a pretty amazing concert and we had very good seats. The ADA section of the concert was fairly close, just off of stage left and when the performers were to go to the second stage more out in the crowd, they actually walked right in front of us. So Steve Martin and Jordan sparks literally walked 5 feet in front of me! It was pretty cool. However, with every good there must come a little bad, and although our seats for the concert were pretty spectacular we could not see the fireworks from where we were seated. We attempted to get up after the concert and moved to see the fireworks; however, we were unsuccessful.

Once I got back to the workweek, I was able to finish a project I was working on for the Equity and Excellence Commission that dealt with a report put out concerning equitable decisions of school boards and superintendents and how their decisions can have unintended ramifications. The report was entitled The Same Starting Line: How School Boards Can Erase the Opportunity Gap Between Poor and Middle-Class Children, And was put out by an organization called Appleseed. I must admit it was very interesting and shed a different light on how we can close the opportunity gap rather than focusing solely on fiscal issues.

The other exciting event that took place this week was a project that I have been working on with the Office of Communications and Outreach. The project is one of Sec. Arne Duncan initiatives called Let’s Read Let’s Move. The project focuses on getting kids to think about reading and continuing their education during the summertime as well as moving and playing outside as a form of exercise. To celebrate this we are holding four events throughout July where celebrities come and read with the Secretary to groups of children and then participate in fun outdoor activities. For the event this past week, the Secretary was joined by Atty. Gen. Holder and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to read some books to the children and then they were led by Miss America to the Let’s Move portion. All in all it was a great success–even though we had to move the event indoors due to rain. It was pretty crazy seeing some of those celebrities–Kareem is a giant, and rest assured that I got my picture with Miss America! The next event is already Tuesday so we are quickly turning around to prepare for the individuals coming and the changes that we need to make. I still think that I need to take time to pinch myself to believe that this is a reality, but let’s just say I’m having a lot of fun and still managing to work hard out here in Washington DC.

Week 7: Becoming An Informed Citizen

2011-07-10T21:34:00.006-04:00

Democracy is a huge catch-word in the United States. We are willing to enter foreign wars to ensure it for other countries, and it is one of the major ideals America was founded on. Yet over 200 years later how many people actually take advantage of this concept that our founding fathers fought to ensure? Barely half of eligible voters turn out for presidential elections, the number is lower for others. Most of my friends probably don't know their local representative- and I'm sure a portion don't even know their senators. And for a lot of people their idea of being informed of Congress is knowledge about the Anthony Weiner scandal.

Before this internship I can't say that I was much better. I knew my local representatives and a few of the "big names" but that was it. I glanced at the headlines each day as I checked my email but for the most part that was it.

This summer is a different story. One of my jobs at work is to give a week report on Congress. My daily routine involves reading the National Journal Daily, the Washington Post and thumbing through Politico. It feels good to know what's going on in the world- especially while living in DC.

Also as I attend meetings with various congressional aides I am filling in some of the blanks. There are 535 representatives so there is still a lot to learn, but as I walk the halls at Rayburn, Canon, and Longworth(The 3 house buildings) I have begun to recognize more and more names. One thing I enjoy about these meetings is you really get to experience a taste of the district. All of the Georgia offices have peanuts and coke products for free. A meeting last week in a North Carolina office touted themselves as the hometown of American Idol winner Scotty Mcreery, and was adorned with several posters of the teenage crooner. It really is like experiencing a slice of Americana.

One of the other things I enjoy about walking through the halls of Congress is observing the families who have come for a tour, often with kids in tow. I think it's great that these parents are encouraging an interest in government at such a young age. I also love that anyone off the street can walk right into the Congressional buildings; into their representative's office or attend a hearing or even a vote. That transparency and ability to participate in government is really is what democracy is all about.

Things that Impress Me

2011-07-10T21:12:00.002-04:00

I suppose it wouldn’t be an official blog post if I didn’t mention food, but before I get to that, I was able to attend a Hill Visit with my boss that really inspired me. The issue we discussed was definitely important, but the people discussing it, I think, also presented a valuable message.

The people I sat with were unashamed to identify themselves. All seven of us gave at least one “label.” Four of us were women, three were men, two were black, two had disabilities, two were gay, two were interns, one practiced Islam. Still, I don’t mean to focus so much on labeling people. Rather, I was struck by the diversity of the group, and the fact that, though different races, practicing different religions, having different sexual orientations, and being different ages, we all could agree and come together, supporting each other for a common goal. I don’t know if the Senator will share our views, or if he will support the bill we defended. However, I do know that many minority groups desperately want to be able to sit “at the table.” No, our society isn’t perfect, but I did get to see a glimpse of what that table looks like, and it’s incredible.

Of course, in regards to food, a second trip to Georgetown meant a stop at a second cupcake shop. Not sure what it is with D.C. and the obsession with cupcakes, but I wholeheartedly approve. Our thoughts? If you’re a frosting fan, you would probably enjoy Georgetown Cupcakes. That being said, we think, generally, Sprinkles is better. Slightly more expensive, but bigger cakes that taste amazing. As for us tasters, we will be spending quite some time in the gym this week! D.C. gives so many of these neat, and random, opportunities that make it a fantastic place to live.

A Weekend of Fun

2011-07-10T20:19:00.003-04:00

I am still working my way through the cogs of upper management giving me an assignment and then it taking a bit of time for all those involved to review what I did and get back with me with updates and suggestions but for the most part many of my projects are actually starting to come together and wind down. My DOT-wide recruitment plan for hiring people with targeted disabilities is the farthest along and could possibly be finished this week. Work on the video I am supposed to be in has gone slower than expected and it may end up that they just take videos of me around the office and then later on they will dub in the words as opposed to my being the actually spokesperson for the project. I went with a few of the interns Thursday night to Ben’s Chili Bowl so that can now be taken off my DC bucket list. I spent the weekend attending the Indonesian Festival, going to see Transformers 3, and eating at two well known Washington eating establishments; Clyde’s and the Old Ebbitt Grill. I enjoyed shopping in Georgetown on Sunday but it was a bit hot strolling up and down the crowded streets. As the internship winds down I have mixed emotions about both going home and leaving DC.

Posted by Matthew Shapiro

Concerned about the Current State of Affairs

2011-07-10T13:22:00.001-04:00

As most congressional interns will agree working on the Hill is an amazing experience. Not only are we exposed to the daily functioning of an office or a committee, interns have access to panoply of educational opportunities including the Congressional Intern Lecture Series.

One of the lectures I attended this past week was given by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. As I listened to her speak I could not stop thinking about the current discussions taking place throughout the nation as it becomes ever more apparent that Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are the likely targets of fiscal downsizing.

What most American’s do not know about the Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid system is that people with disabilities are severely penalized in the current policy framework. Take for example this Social Security/Medicare Policy: After a person files and is approved for Social Security Disability benefits they will not receive any Social Security income for three months. After the first Social Security check is received people with disabilities must wait an additional 24 months before they can enroll in Medicare insurance coverage.

This means a person with a disability has to survive 27 months without any form of medical insurance because the income received from their Social Security Disability benefit is too substantial (by substantial I mean their income, for most states, is more than $600 per month) to be eligible for Medicaid.

The fiscal, social, and political ramifications of this policy are enormous. Emergency room visits dramatically increase as infections rates increase, this creates a huge financial burden on hospitals that then mark-up their costs in billing to insurance companies which then raise rates and premiums on individual health insurance plans. Does this seem like sound financial policy?

Imagine your own entire monthly income is $600. Where do you live? How do you eat? What if you have children? What if you are in a wheelchair and something breaks how will get around? What if you want to work but don’t have insurance to provide you with necessary physical and occupational therapy that would allow you to rejoin the workforce and not live on $600 a month?

What would you do?

~Brenda

7th Week.

2011-07-10T09:46:00.001-04:00

So, it's the seventh week of my internship, which has been going well - this week I got to attend a hearing on data retention as it related to law enforcement and sex offedners. It was interesting, but some of the testimonies made me sick to my stomach!

After the long week of work, I was able to go visit my cousin in western Maryland... she's from Alabama - it has been so great she's a fellow southerner... so you've got the southern accent, southern food, southern hospitality... which all leads to southern comfort - which I so greatly miss up here! Not to mention, she lives in a valley, which is full of corn and wheat, tons of small towns (less than 100 people), and thousands of hills! It was such a refreshing time to get out of The District and simply enjoy life, eat at a dinner table, be able to go outside and actually hear the birds, smell the crisp air, and look at the stars at night.

I do believe this trip actually made me miss home more than I had previously. While I am so thankful to be part of this internship program, in learning the ways of the "big city life"... I am longing for the day I get to go back to not having to schedule my life a week in advance, and when you ask someone if they want to meetup for dinner - you actually sit down at their dinner table for a homecooked meal... rather than going to an expensive eatery and get pummled with taxes.

This is just my humble opinion,
Steven Policastro

Week 7

2011-07-10T01:26:00.000-04:00

Wow. I’m now the big one-nine. It’s a little surprising to think that I’m already here, and having such a challenging, yet really fun time. We had a tough week at work this week because we went into crunch time- mode for our big forum. It was a challenging week, but I was glad I was able to help in this process, especially with tasks like fact checking, and making sure our formats on documents matched. I know I asked a lot of questions, and made some mistakes, but I’m glad I did my job. On another note, I had a great interview with Aaron Bishop, it’s great to know there are awesome Wisconsinites out here. We spoke about NCD (which he is the executive director of), the future of the disability community, how youth can help NCD, and also, my future. His most important piece of advice was to continue to have a life outside of my disability work. And boy, did I live it up this weekend, although I couldn’t celebrate on the day of my birthday (it was a Wednesday), I went to Wicked on Friday. It was absolutely amazing, and totally worth the price I paid. The accessible seating was incredible, we had a completely uninhibited view of the stag, and the leads had some pretty incredible chemistry. I also had a great night with an awesome friend, Krista, a fellow AAPD intern. I must say, though I loved the musical, I found their characterization of the Witch’s sister (who uses a chair) to be interesting. It really emphasized the loneliness and perceived uselessness of a person with a disability. While I understand that mindset, and have even felt the same way at times, people need to move beyond the disabilities and just see people as people. Between strawberry mango cheesecake, Wicked and a productive workweek, it’s been a great week.

7th Week, 7th Blog

2011-07-09T09:24:00.004-04:00

The crowd swarmed the theater like bees buzzing over honey. Women in black skirts and dresses, topped with flirtatious pink and purple welcomed the eyes of fair gents in superior tuxes. I beat the status quo and dared to differ; I wore blue jeans.
Gracing the long red carpet with my black leather Dockers my wondering eyes gazed upward to the blanket sized flags. Each flag a different country filled with hope and promise to its people.
Ushers in red overcoats stood nearby waiting for people to ask questions of all sorts. Where is the bathroom? Where is the gift shop? How long is the intermission?
People munched and crunched on candies and sweets, politely. After all, this was a professional theater.
I had the glorious opportunity to sit near the orchestra pit. A dragon’s head like a gargoyle guarded the stage. During the performance it came to life by moving and lighting up.
The costumes were a perfect match for the characters. Some were bright gooey green and while others were magnificent blue. The main two characters sang together in such a beautiful harmony and their natural chemistry was the Babe Ruth of Baseball. Dancing of hops, jumps and unexpected turns made the performance a spontaneous joy.
There is something special about the theater, the actors and actresses. It’s a unique life of it’s own shell.
Poets, dreamers of creation enjoy word play as musicians take delight caressing their fingers on instruments.
Beauty is found in passion. Do what you love. Help one another. Love your sister and your brother. Family is found in the heart.

-Krista Dora

People with disability and the Millennium Development Goals.

2011-07-08T13:01:00.002-04:00

While I was trying to find resources for the Global Disability Rights Library this week I found 64/131 UN resolution stating on integrating people with disability in the millennium goals implementation. From that resolution I thought to write my opinion and concern in the process of people with disability integration.
According the 2011 World Health report more than one billion people in the world live with some form of disability, of who nearly 200 million experience considerable difficulties in functioning. In the years ahead, disability will be an even greater concern because its prevalence is on the rise. This due in one hand to different wars which make many casualties, HIV Aids which is making many people very disable, and in the other hand this is due to ageing populations and the higher risk of disability in older people as well as the global increase in chronic health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health disorders.
The 8th September 2008, in New York City, heads of State and Government gathered at the UN headquarters and came over with 8 millenniums following goals
• Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
• Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
• Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
• Goal 5: Improve maternal health
• Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
• Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
However, people with disabilities, are neglected while implementing these goals even if they represent an estimated 10 per cent of the world’s population, of whom 80 per cent live in developing countries. How the world will achieve these goals while people with disabilities are subject to multiple or aggravated forms of discrimination or while this important population is somehow invisible in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Millennium Development Goals?
Something should be done to integrate this important population within the implementation of these millennium development goals.
For example in many countries of the world, the lack of data and information on disability and the situation of persons with disabilities at the national level is contributing to the invisibility of persons with disabilities in official statistics. This presents an obstacle to achieving development planning and implementation that is inclusive of persons with disabilities.
I argue you guys, in our movement of disability rights to raise your voice and to knock on where you can to claim disable people integration within the Millennium Development Goals.

Remember to Exhale ---By Margie

2011-07-08T11:59:00.000-04:00

Wow! I feel incredibly lucky!! Everything seems to be a whirlwind. We’ve passed the halfway mark so it is time for a little reflection. I haven’t been keeping up with my journaling as I should so here it is on the World Wide Web….

CRC EXAM!
I am taking the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam tomorrow, Saturday July 9th. “The CRC Exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions administered during an allotted 3½ hours within an 8-day testing window. Candidates should set aside four hours, which includes time for check-in, instructions, and a practice session on the computer in order for candidates to become familiar with the computer system.” From the official CRC website.
I have been studying for this exam since February alone and also with a classmate of mine from the Illinois Institute of Technology. I will be graduating from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) this December of 2011 with a Master’s of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a certificate specializing in psychiatric rehabilitation. I am looking to start my career in Chicago, Washington DC, or any other location in the United States. I speak fluent Spanish.

I have absolutely loved my experiences at IIT, internships at Thresholds and Veteran Affairs Hospital at Hines, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and most recently, at the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)!
NCIL Conference!

NCIL stands for National Council on Independent Living. “As a membership organization, NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy. NCIL envisions a world in which
people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully.” From NCIL website.

Why is NCIL important to me?
As a future rehabilitation counselor, I am interested in the independent living movement, especially helping people with psychiatric disabilities to get out of nursing homes. I am excited to learn more this upcoming week!
This conference stretches from the orientation session on Tuesday July12, 2011 to Saturday July16, 2011.

A big thank you goes to Yoshiko Dart whose generous sponsorship allowed me to attend! Another big thank you to my supervisor at RSA who graciously allowed me time off to attend this important conference!

For more information or to register for the 2011 NCIL Conference:
http://www.ncil.org/

Rehabilitation Services Administration!

I have been interning at RSA since May 31, 2011 and it has been an amazing experience! I have met and talked with both Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education and Joanne Weiss, Duncan’s chief of staff. I have been working on some interesting projects and am learning about Schedule A hiring. Schedule A is a way the government can noncompetitively hire people with disabilities---physical, mental or intellectual.

For more info click here:
http://www.opm.gov/disability/

That’s all for now---have to go study!!!
Margie

Zach Holler Week 6 Post

2011-07-07T19:36:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a week! This past weekend, I spent the holiday with my family and girl friend, who stayed with me for the weekend. On Sunday, we visited George Washington's estate at MT. Vernon. Although I have been there once, many years ago, I am still fascinated with the history and beauty of the area. The Washington mansion turned out to be wheelchair accessable so we took a tour. I am amazed at how well preserved the house and buildings are. On Monday, we sat on the National Mall near the Washington Monument, watching the sky light up with fireworks, the best I've ever seen and probably will ever see. I hope I am fortunate enough to experience Independance Day in DC in the future.
This week, brought great accomplishments on the job. I completed an important assignment for my supervisor and ADD. My responsibility was to create talking points for a major presentation to be delivered by my supervisor, on employment of individuals with significant disabilities. While this assignment proved to be challenging, due to lack of prior experience in this area, I have gained a great deal of knowledge and experience that will serve me well in my career. I am looking forward to some down time this coming weekend to do more sightseeing. I will share my experience in future posts. Posted by Zach Holler.