On this blog entry, I am supposed to write about my internship organization's strength and what, if anything, I would do differently. NDRN's strength was easy, it's people. I say this not only because I sincerely like the individuals I have come to know and work with but also because I am so impressed by their intellectual abilities, accomplishments, and commitment to the work they do. Amy Scherer is a perfect example of this. I got to sit down with Amy and pick her brain about Vocational Rehabilitation services and her career path.
Don't let that sweet face fool you, Amy is a strong advocate and attorney for individuals with disabilities. She has spent her career focused on improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. Amy's expertise at NDRN is vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities and educational efforts to support the ongoing work of attorneys that NDRN supports at each state protection and advocacy center (P&As). She spends the better part of a year working on the annual conference that NDRN puts on for the P&As. Amy is not satisfied with efforts that limit the abilities of individuals with disabilities in the workplace. She believes that individuals affected by disability can, and do, have the ability to earn a livable wage with the appropriate supports and services. Amy got a bachelor degree and masters degree before working her first post-school job at a vocational rehabilitation agency. Through her work there, she became unsatisfied and disappointed with the lack of real effort to employ individuals with disabilities outside of sheltered workshops. She decided she could do more and went back to school to pursue a law degree. Amy explains that law is multi-faceted and requires many individuals in a variety of roles. Amy focuses on research and writing, instead of practicing law in the courts. Her work is essential to the success of the disability community at large and at NDRN. The only change that I could even think of to recommend for NDRN would be to take time, quarterly, to intentionally interact directly with individuals in the community with disabilities. Because their work is on the national level, it is always good to stay in touch with why you do what you do and what the attorneys they support face and deal with. I can't say that they don't do this; it is just a thought. NDRN employs several who have disabilities themselves. They do not discriminate in employment and I respect that greatly.
1 Comment
Ahmednur Hassan
12/3/2015 03:33:07 pm
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Daphne ThompsonPursuing a Bachelor Degree in Public Services and Policy, Daphne is starting her senior year this fall. Archives
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