Having spent the past week working for AAPD, I am amazed by the amount of work that goes into developing public policy. The sheer number of people, organizations, coalitions, meetings, conference calls, follow-up emails, policy reports, sign-on letters, action items and blog posts involved in pushing a single piece of legislation (or perhaps a paragraph within a piece of legislation) is rather remarkable, not to mention the money that goes into funding it all (or the money that goes into raising the money to fund it all).
My experiences over the past week along with my experience working as an intern at GLSEN last summer have allowed me to learn about the behind-the-scenes work done by hundreds of advocacy groups in DC. Two weeks ago I knew little about the efforts that went into the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Yet the collective (and often hidden) efforts of disability activists, congressional staffers, and politicians has had a huge impact on my life.
Watching the often tedious work done by AAPD staff every day gives me a new appreciation for their efforts to ensure that people with disabilities have the ability to live free of the stigma and barriers that still exist. Perhaps my biggest take-away from this week has been the importance of the (often not so glamorous) little things in making advocacy work.
In a little over a week I will begin working for Del. Eni Faleomavaega and, in between answering constituent calls and making copies, I hope to learn more about the other side of the policy-making process.
Rohmteen Mokhtari
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Start of a Memorable Summer
Arriving in Washington DC on Sunday May 24, my summer experience began. My home away from home has become a contemporary, comfortable apartment on the campus of GWU, living with two others: Fabio Botarelli from New York and Adam Dovens from Virginia. Two weeks have passed by since the start of my 2009 summer in our nation’s capital and much has happened. I have gotten to know most of the seventeen other interns in the AAPD internship program and am very happy to have many new friendships. Our first endeavor was orientation, Monday May 26th-28th. This proved to be a good time to focus on my goals and strategies for the summer, as well as learning more about my fellow interns and meet my wise and helpful summer mentor, Patrick Cokley, from DOL. On Friday the 29th, I started working in the Office of Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI5), the husband of the Chairman of the AAPD Executive Board, Cheryl Sensenbrenner. My time in the office has produced a tremendous foundation for the experience I seek on Capitol Hill. Congressman Sensenbrenner and his staff are well respected on the Hill, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work in his office. Additionally, he and his sweet, kind wife are strong disability rights advocates and have done very much for the disabled community.
AAPD is an organization who unites the disabled of all kinds in order to advance the goals of the broader community. Having one of the over forty Muscular Dystrophy disorders (CMT) has had a huge impact on my life, though it has not stopped or prevented me in hardly any way. At home, I walk solely with fore-arm crutches, but this summer I decided it best to rely on a wheelchair in order get around town more easily. I can honestly say I had never used an umbrella while rolling in a wheelchair; it was quite an experience. Overall, I have come more to sympathize with those who are forced to use a chair full time. There are many difficulties and inconveniences that stem from using a wheelchair. I hope to share a few stories over the course of these blog postings that have opened my eyes. [Quick preview: Metro breakdowns, dirty sidewalks, and rude/kind people].
In closing, you must know in my two weeks I have greatly enjoyed myself. I have high expectations for my summer and I anticipate those expectations will be met. I am very grateful for the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation for sponsoring my summer and also very thankful for AAPD and everything that they do, especially for this internship opportunity.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Acceptance
Self Acceptance
I have Tourette’s Syndrome. Two years ago I couldn’t get myself to say those words out loud. Even now, when I do, my heart beat accelerates. I’m not even really sure why its so hard for me to acknowledge my Tourette's. I never gave it much thought. Maybe its the fact that to most people Tourette's is a mysterious disease. Maybe I am afraid that people will write me off, that no matter how "normal" I look and act, they will fall victim to stereotypes. It's kind of like a single women with children... people are just hesitant to get involved. Whether or not that's the reason I've always known that I didn’t want anyone to know that I had Tourette’s Syndrome. And nobody meant nobody. For years when people asked about my verbal ticks, even my best friends, I would tell them that I was humming. My physical ticks? I had a bad back that needed stretching. When I couldn’t hang out because of doctor’s appointments I would tell my friends that I had to go shopping with my mom... I wonder if they ever wondered why, if I was always shopping, I had the same amount of clothes as they did. When I would take my tests in other rooms at school for the quiet and the extended time I would make up elaborate stories about where I was… “I had another test so I had to start my test early but there was a lecture in our room before class so the teacher said I could take it in the library.” I was embarrassed too. I didn't want people to think that I was cheating the system, that I was being given an advantage. (When I take tests my mind forces me to spend a good fifteen minutes at the start of the test going over elaborate number and word patterns. Once I've done it correctly I can begin... everything in life is like that).
A few years ago I started becoming more comfortable with my disability. I remember walking in a nearby park, alone, late at night, and in the face of great internal resistance I got myself to whisper the words, “I have Tourette’s Syndrome” to myself. Since then I have slowly become more comfortable. I have confided in more and more people but not in nearly as many as I should have. Often I have wanted to tell a close friend but have been unable to summon the courage.
In the last two weeks I have been thrown into the ring. In 2 weeks I have made more progress with regard to accepting my disability and with regard to feeling comfortable about it than I have in my entire life. On my first day in D.C. I met a guy at registration and we became friends. Over the next week I kept telling him that I was interning “with a program.” I refused to tell him which program however. My crash course in acceptance however wouldn’t let that fly. One evening we went out to dinner and I told him everything. I’d known him for about a week and I opened up…
I am not 100% yet. I am still struggling to be open with people as well as with myself. I am however making tremendous progress. I am learning to identify openly as a person with a disability. And so I want to say that I am proud to represent the AAPD and to have the AAPD represent me.
By: Andrew Lustig
I have Tourette’s Syndrome. Two years ago I couldn’t get myself to say those words out loud. Even now, when I do, my heart beat accelerates. I’m not even really sure why its so hard for me to acknowledge my Tourette's. I never gave it much thought. Maybe its the fact that to most people Tourette's is a mysterious disease. Maybe I am afraid that people will write me off, that no matter how "normal" I look and act, they will fall victim to stereotypes. It's kind of like a single women with children... people are just hesitant to get involved. Whether or not that's the reason I've always known that I didn’t want anyone to know that I had Tourette’s Syndrome. And nobody meant nobody. For years when people asked about my verbal ticks, even my best friends, I would tell them that I was humming. My physical ticks? I had a bad back that needed stretching. When I couldn’t hang out because of doctor’s appointments I would tell my friends that I had to go shopping with my mom... I wonder if they ever wondered why, if I was always shopping, I had the same amount of clothes as they did. When I would take my tests in other rooms at school for the quiet and the extended time I would make up elaborate stories about where I was… “I had another test so I had to start my test early but there was a lecture in our room before class so the teacher said I could take it in the library.” I was embarrassed too. I didn't want people to think that I was cheating the system, that I was being given an advantage. (When I take tests my mind forces me to spend a good fifteen minutes at the start of the test going over elaborate number and word patterns. Once I've done it correctly I can begin... everything in life is like that).
A few years ago I started becoming more comfortable with my disability. I remember walking in a nearby park, alone, late at night, and in the face of great internal resistance I got myself to whisper the words, “I have Tourette’s Syndrome” to myself. Since then I have slowly become more comfortable. I have confided in more and more people but not in nearly as many as I should have. Often I have wanted to tell a close friend but have been unable to summon the courage.
In the last two weeks I have been thrown into the ring. In 2 weeks I have made more progress with regard to accepting my disability and with regard to feeling comfortable about it than I have in my entire life. On my first day in D.C. I met a guy at registration and we became friends. Over the next week I kept telling him that I was interning “with a program.” I refused to tell him which program however. My crash course in acceptance however wouldn’t let that fly. One evening we went out to dinner and I told him everything. I’d known him for about a week and I opened up…
I am not 100% yet. I am still struggling to be open with people as well as with myself. I am however making tremendous progress. I am learning to identify openly as a person with a disability. And so I want to say that I am proud to represent the AAPD and to have the AAPD represent me.
By: Andrew Lustig
Friday, June 5, 2009
Introduction: My Decibels, AAPD, and Leader Steny Hoyer
So, I’ve been born a deaf person. I’ve had hearing tests and trips to the audiologists many times over but I’ve never really bothered to remember the exact specifics of my hearing loss level. Last Friday, I went to Gallaudet University’s audiologist to check my hearing once again. It was when it really hit me that my hearing loss is more than 110 decibels in both ears.
Why didn’t this information really stick in my mind for all of my life?
It’s because I’ve been raised in a comfortable world via visual bilingualism (American Sign Language and English), an open and friendly community, and learned to adapt to the hearing majority – it was so natural to me that being deaf is anything but abnormal. However, through this summer internship American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has taught me to really KNOW who I am not only as a Deaf person but also as a professional with disabilities.
Through AAPD, I have a new philosophical and professional perspective on my deaf identity. It is my ambition to work in government. I am interested in policy and law. American Association of People with Disabilities could not have been a better place for me to start my professional experience because every experience is tailored to be uniquely accessible to people with disabilities.
Philosophical: I find myself being immensely proud to be part of such a powerful, talented, creative, and inspiring greater community beyond the deaf community. Though being deaf is cultural to me, I’ve always understood the word “disability” in legal terms. From learning about AAPD's history and disability advocacy during the Orientation, I can say that my previous perspective and understanding of "disability" has really been thrown out of the window. The philosophical journey I’ve so far been on has been both eye-opening and heart-opening.
Professional: Through AAPD’s resources, I have learned many important things such as advice on how to meet and network and make good impressions upon professionals in my field. I really enjoyed meeting other people with various different disabilities who work in government and technology. The spirit I felt during the Orienting was all about being creative, joining arms, and encouraging one another to succeed professionally.
My work experience began this week at House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s (D-MD) office at Longworth Building. From the very first day, I could understand that this opportunity is going to teach me a lot about the Congress "from the inside." Over the course of the week, I have learned about how the office works in conjunction with the district and the Congress. Knowledge is a valuable thing and I feel like my internship experience this summer will enable me to improve my skills, add new skills, and become a better advocate for the Deaf AND the Disabled. With each passing day, I have also gotten a greater understanding in how I am assisting Leader Hoyer and his office in their objectives.
My placement in Leader Hoyer’s office enables me to be physically present and visible to my co-interns and supervisors for five days a week as a Deaf intern. This will not only be a learning experience for me regarding working in a “majority” environment (meaning: hearing, spoken-language environment) but also a learning experience for everybody I come into contact with on the Hill. In the end, this internship serves a double purpose and brings about double benefits.
I'd like to mention also that Leader Hoyer is a great friend to the disabled. As a Congressman, he forged a positive and successful relationship with the famous Disability Civil Rights advocate Justin Dart. Leader Hoyer was one of the critical influences in getting the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990. He has always remained very supportive of people with disabilities. My presence in his office is a testatment to Leader Hoyer's faith and support in our ABILITIES as hardworking and contributing American citizens.
I truly do look forward to what more this summer has to bring me!!
- Leah Katz-Hernandez
Why didn’t this information really stick in my mind for all of my life?
It’s because I’ve been raised in a comfortable world via visual bilingualism (American Sign Language and English), an open and friendly community, and learned to adapt to the hearing majority – it was so natural to me that being deaf is anything but abnormal. However, through this summer internship American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has taught me to really KNOW who I am not only as a Deaf person but also as a professional with disabilities.
Through AAPD, I have a new philosophical and professional perspective on my deaf identity. It is my ambition to work in government. I am interested in policy and law. American Association of People with Disabilities could not have been a better place for me to start my professional experience because every experience is tailored to be uniquely accessible to people with disabilities.
Philosophical: I find myself being immensely proud to be part of such a powerful, talented, creative, and inspiring greater community beyond the deaf community. Though being deaf is cultural to me, I’ve always understood the word “disability” in legal terms. From learning about AAPD's history and disability advocacy during the Orientation, I can say that my previous perspective and understanding of "disability" has really been thrown out of the window. The philosophical journey I’ve so far been on has been both eye-opening and heart-opening.
Professional: Through AAPD’s resources, I have learned many important things such as advice on how to meet and network and make good impressions upon professionals in my field. I really enjoyed meeting other people with various different disabilities who work in government and technology. The spirit I felt during the Orienting was all about being creative, joining arms, and encouraging one another to succeed professionally.
My work experience began this week at House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s (D-MD) office at Longworth Building. From the very first day, I could understand that this opportunity is going to teach me a lot about the Congress "from the inside." Over the course of the week, I have learned about how the office works in conjunction with the district and the Congress. Knowledge is a valuable thing and I feel like my internship experience this summer will enable me to improve my skills, add new skills, and become a better advocate for the Deaf AND the Disabled. With each passing day, I have also gotten a greater understanding in how I am assisting Leader Hoyer and his office in their objectives.
My placement in Leader Hoyer’s office enables me to be physically present and visible to my co-interns and supervisors for five days a week as a Deaf intern. This will not only be a learning experience for me regarding working in a “majority” environment (meaning: hearing, spoken-language environment) but also a learning experience for everybody I come into contact with on the Hill. In the end, this internship serves a double purpose and brings about double benefits.
I'd like to mention also that Leader Hoyer is a great friend to the disabled. As a Congressman, he forged a positive and successful relationship with the famous Disability Civil Rights advocate Justin Dart. Leader Hoyer was one of the critical influences in getting the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990. He has always remained very supportive of people with disabilities. My presence in his office is a testatment to Leader Hoyer's faith and support in our ABILITIES as hardworking and contributing American citizens.
I truly do look forward to what more this summer has to bring me!!
- Leah Katz-Hernandez
A Week at AAPD HQ
It has been a busy week at AAPD headquarters. There have been meetings, people visiting and a lot of data crunching. It is rare that there is nothing to do here.
This week, I had the ability to shadow the lead IT consultant for AAPD, Matt Eshleman, Director of Professional Network Services for Community IT Innovators here in Washington, DC.
We worked on a few projects this week including transitioning all the computers from one server domain to another. This is far more complicated than setting up a home network and it offered me insight into understanding more complex IT issues and this is just the first week! But that is not all -
I also participated in a series of meetings that took place at HQ this week. The first was a staff meeting involving all present employees. This meeting allowed staff to interact in a roundtable discussion of weekly scheduling, upcoming events, projects and technical activities.
The next meeting that I participated in was for the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition or IDAC. IDAC is an organization operated by Ginny Thornburgh, AAPD’s Director of Interfaith Initiative within AAPD. Its expressed purpose is to gain support from religious institutions and religiously affiliated organizations in campaigning for disability rights.
Another one of my duties is to manage the national Justice for All or JFA newsletter mailing list. Justice for All (JFA) is a free service of AAPD that shares disability news (legislation and policy, popular culture, etc.) and issues calls to action to advocates across the country in the form of an email newsletter that typically comes out twice weekly.
Another database system I am working on, and my largest task, is developing the AAPD database. I have been charged with inputting data for the new database comprised of thousands of AAPD members and supporters. Thus far I have processed nearly 600 contacts!
Unlike most of the interns I carpool in with by dad from Manassas, VA. Hey all you interns rooming at GW! You are truly lucky that you do not have to endure the commute that my father, myself, and so many others must endure just to get home. :) But overall it was a great week!
Chad
This week, I had the ability to shadow the lead IT consultant for AAPD, Matt Eshleman, Director of Professional Network Services for Community IT Innovators here in Washington, DC.
We worked on a few projects this week including transitioning all the computers from one server domain to another. This is far more complicated than setting up a home network and it offered me insight into understanding more complex IT issues and this is just the first week! But that is not all -
I also participated in a series of meetings that took place at HQ this week. The first was a staff meeting involving all present employees. This meeting allowed staff to interact in a roundtable discussion of weekly scheduling, upcoming events, projects and technical activities.
The next meeting that I participated in was for the Interfaith Disability Advocacy Coalition or IDAC. IDAC is an organization operated by Ginny Thornburgh, AAPD’s Director of Interfaith Initiative within AAPD. Its expressed purpose is to gain support from religious institutions and religiously affiliated organizations in campaigning for disability rights.
Another one of my duties is to manage the national Justice for All or JFA newsletter mailing list. Justice for All (JFA) is a free service of AAPD that shares disability news (legislation and policy, popular culture, etc.) and issues calls to action to advocates across the country in the form of an email newsletter that typically comes out twice weekly.
Another database system I am working on, and my largest task, is developing the AAPD database. I have been charged with inputting data for the new database comprised of thousands of AAPD members and supporters. Thus far I have processed nearly 600 contacts!
Unlike most of the interns I carpool in with by dad from Manassas, VA. Hey all you interns rooming at GW! You are truly lucky that you do not have to endure the commute that my father, myself, and so many others must endure just to get home. :) But overall it was a great week!
Chad
Week 1 at USDA
These last two weeks have been pretty cool! The AAPD Orientation lasted three days last week and was a great experience. We learned about everything from networking to mentoring to disability history. AAPD matched each intern up with a mentor to support you reaching your goals. My mentor is Mat and we have a great time together, we have already gone out for lunch and dinner. I started work at the US Department of Agriculture in Dairy Programs under the Agriculture Marketing Service on Monday. I am a Web Development Specialist and currently I am focusing on how to create accessible PDF that our Section 504 compliant. USDA has an assistive technology center, the Target Center, which is helping me learn more about accessible information technology. I met with them yesterday to learn more about accessibility of PDFs. They are going to give me a tour of all of their technology in the next week or two. I am also learning how Microsoft SharePoint 2007 works and how to manage databases. I really enjoy working with my two supervisors. We spent the first day rearranging the office to accommodate three people instead of just two. The weather has been a little weird, it was pretty warm last weekend and now for the last couple days it has been pouring rain on us out of large buckets. My cell phone was damaged by all the water, so I have a new one on its way. Today I went to the kick off of the USDA Farmer’s Market and got my picture taken with the US Secretary of Agriculture. Tomorrow I am attending a forum on school transition to brainstorm effective strategies to increase the number of students with disabilities entering post-secondary institutions and successful employment. That’s all for now, but I will be posting again next week!
--Daman Wandke
--Daman Wandke
Def Confessions of an AAPD Intern
Week Won
Tuesday, June 2, was the big day. It marked the fears of every broke college kid, the day we are ready to brave the workforce in our trade of interest. Assigned an IT position with the Asset Management (AM) division under the Federal Railroad Administration, I hastily made my way to Department of Transportation (DOT) Headquarters. Best believe I was already worrying about every insignificant detail you could think of as I approached the newly-constructed building, from missing my Metro stop to the first impression.
I finally made my way to the main building, where I anxiously waited to be escorted to my work area. To my surprise, my escort was armed with pen and paper as she scribbled down her greetings and welcomed me to DOT Headquarters. I didnt expect her to take initiative in immediately facilitating written communication; most people assume that I can lipread. Why? I havent the faintest clue. Most people cant lipread me when I move my lips, so what makes them think I can do the same?
Setting off the metal detectors at security, my escort guided me through and immediately put my fears to rest. She didnt attempt to speak to me but continued to write to me as we walked to her office. There, she shocked me again as she handed me a Ubi Duo machine. I had never seen or played with such an item before; she turned it on and one for herself. Before I knew it, my screen was lit up with her warm welcome. I could instantaneously see what she was typing and although it took me a bit to figure it out so could she with mine. Not only was I intrigued by the product, but I was pleased to find that my arrival at DOT was well-awaited and prepared for. It really seemed as if they were expecting me and making suitable accommodations beyond my requests. All of this attention to details really curved my anxiety.
As she prepared to give me a tour of the building and my work area, we placed the machines aside and she took her trusty pen and paper. Although she didnt understand American Sign Language (ASL), she seemed to read me very well. She took me around until she introduced me to my supervisor. Once again, everyone I met seemed very friendly and made me feel welcome; I even met one deaf co-worker who sat across my office. Yes, I couldnt believe it; they set aside a cubicle for me already... I was definitely feeling welcome. My escort told me to come see her again for lunch. As lunch approached, I found her and she and her boss both accompanied me to the cafeteria for lunch. They both brought a pad of paper and pen to communicate with me throughout lunch; I wasnt expecting such thoughtfulness and assertion, but I definitely enjoyed it as I got to know them better over lunch.
Day One was over before I knew it. Short and sweet, and I was really in awe of the people and their efforts. They seemed to adapt to me without a flinch and that was a great feeling especially for my first day. Day Two continued with me meeting faces and becoming acquainted with my co-workers. I had already been assigned a laptop and work e-mail so I was pretty much up to speed. The second day I actually shadowed my supervisor who's a very active person always on the go and in-between meetings so that was a change of scenery and I thoroughly enjoyed it. By my third day, I think I was becoming popular with security because it seems I'd set off the metal detectors every morning. My supervisor and many others continued to ask me what I'd like to do which is also refreshing because they want me to benefit from this internship as much they do. I'm still trying to discover my niche, but I have no doubt that the AM group will aid me in my endeavors. Consider week one accomplished.
Sheiba Tafazzoli
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)