There are many types of people in Washington, DC. Being a part of an organization that works for one of the most vulnerable groups of our population presents unique challenges. NDRN advocates in DC work for their membership, which are federallly funded Protection and Advocacy Centers in each state. These centers are charged with advocating and representing persons with disabilities who are being discriminated against, denied crucial services, or locked away with no loved one advocating on their behalf. Many of their clients are persons in extreme poverty. When one advocates for the poor, one of the challenges is helping those who have always lived a life of privilege and advantage to understand the context that their clients live in. How do you help someone understand poverty who has never experienced it? How can you paint a picture of the obstacles that they face day after day? These are challenges that advocates face on a daily basis, especially in DC.
NDRN joins with other organizations to form coalitions that focus on issues of mutual interest to their clients. Yesterday, several of these organizations came together for a rally at the capital that was put together by NDD United, http://www.nddunited.org. "NDD United was established in response to the Budget Control Act of 2011, which placed austere caps on federal spending for all discretionary programs through 2021 and set the stage for sequestration starting in 2013. With so much at stake for so many programs, NDD United brought together for the first time hundreds of stakeholders from across the nondefense discretionary (NDD) sectors to call for a balanced approach to deficit reduction." With the concern of an impending shut down of our government, NDD and many other organizations rallied at the Capital to ask Congress to "Raise the Cap." Several democratic leaders came out to speak to the crowd, and the public through media, in support of the non-defense budgeted programs. We made signs, wore caps and let our voices be heard on behalf of persons with disabilities.
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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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