I am interning at the National Disability Rights Network, www.ndrn.org, while in Washington, DC. "The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the national membership association for the 57 Protection & Advocacy (P&A) agencies and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) that advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. NDRN's member organizations serve individuals with a wide range of disabilities including, but not limited to, those with intellectual, mental, sensory, and physical disabilities by guarding against abuse and neglect and advocating for civil rights. Collectively, the P&A Network is the largest provider of legally-based advocacy services in the United States. The policy department at NDRN works not only on legislation impacting the P&A / CAP Network, but takes a national leadership role in legislation that impact people with disabilities. NDRN works to improve the lives of people with disabilities by guarding against abuse; advocating for basic rights; and ensuring accountability in health care, education, employment, housing, transportation, and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems."
Basically, the federal government mandated that there be attorneys and advocates in an organization that would work on behalf of the rights of persons with disabilities. In Arizona, this is the Arizona Center for Disability Law, www.azdisabilitylaw.org/. Their office is in the Disability Empowerment Center on Washington St. in Phoenix. A network of P&As formed across the nation in each state. Many of them felt that they needed on the ground people in Washington, DC to represent the P&As and to advocate for persons with disabilities. This is the NDRN where I am interning. "NDRN’s mission is to promote the integrity and capacity of the P&A and CAP national network and to advocate for the enactment and vigorous enforcement of laws protecting civil and human rights of people with disabilities." As an intern, I will be involved in a range of activities related to formulating public policy protecting and enhancing the rights of persons with all types of disabilities. Issue areas could include healthcare, education, mental health, employment, community integration, housing, and transportation. I will get to work with public policy areas that I am interested in. I will conduct research, assist in writing legislative recommendations, hearing statements, and policy papers, as well as represent NDRN at coalition and other meetings, Hill briefings, and hearings. I will also accompany NDRN staff to meetings on the Hill and with Administration officials. NDRN produces yearly reports focused on their individual programs, as well as specific topics (education, juvenile justice, etc.). As an intern, I will play a primary role in producing one of these reports focused on a topic of interest to the individual. It is only my third day and I have already been performing research, attending meetings, and examining proposed bills. I have learned so much already and I know there is so much more that I will learn. Can't wait!
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I had a blog entry under The New University section that has disappeared....hmmm....not sure why. To recap, I shared how the other interns and I went to George Mason University to have an introduction/orientation with two of our professors and to get our student IDs made. The two professors were as different as night and day but both have strengths and intrigued interest in me for different reasons. I will be attending classes at the Arlington, VA campus, so it is smaller and quaint, just the way I like it. These classes are rigorous and quite demanding when combined with my internship. My schedule is going to require me to be very disciplined. So far, that hasn't been a struggle since I fall into my bed not long after I get to the apartment each night.
I woke up bright and early today so that I could make a good breakfast, sip coffee, and watch CNN before I got ready and left to meet my internship contact. Fortunately, I only had a short walk and a bus ride. We met at Union Station, an amazing place. It is of course an Amtrak station but also has connections for the Metro. It also has lots of shops and places to eat, much like a mall. I met my contact at a McDonald's there and we made our walk to the building where I will be interning. I spent the day meeting the staff that was in the office, talking in depth with a couple of staff members who are working on topics I am deeply interested in, set up my desk, and watched videos to learn more about the organization. Everyone had meetings to run to, so I was told I could leave early. One of the ladies I met with, gave me three different versions of legislation being introduced by the Senate, House of Representatives, and Democratic addition suggestions. This means I have a lot of reading an research to do. I am very eager to learn all that I can while I am here. After my first day, I already have questions about so many things. Note to self, take band-aids when you are wearing new shoes for the first time. Ouch!
I was sent off with love from my co-workers, fellow students, mentors, and family. I arrived in Washington, DC on Tuesday the 25th and spent my first night in a hotel. Navigating the airport, taxi, and hotel with four suitcases was a challenge. Don't judge, one was just for bedding. Wednesday morning, I made my way to the Fund for American Studies (FFAS) office to pick up the key to my apartment for move in. It is a quaint basement apartment with nothing but the basics; still everything I need. I will not have a car while in DC, so learning to manage getting where I need to go will be my first challenge. I will rely on walking, the metro, and buses. On occasion, I may use Uber or a taxi, but it really isn't in the budget. After unpacking my suitcases and settling in a bit, I return to the FFAS office for Orientation. I met an amazing group of interns from all over the country with various degrees. Being the oldest student intern didn't embarrass me, but rather filled me with humility and pride about the opportunity I have been given. Thursday morning we continued with Orientation and then in the afternoon, we made a visit to the Capital of the United States for lunch and a tour. I was in awe on the intricacies of the architecture and art of the Capital. I tried not to take too many pictures because wanted to be fully present for the experience. To imagine, "If these walls could talk...", as I walked through, I sensed the deep rich history of this astonishing place. |
Daphne ThompsonPursuing a Bachelor Degree in Public Services and Policy, Daphne is starting her senior year this fall. Archives
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