ArizonaLEND Self-Advocacy Fellow Gabriel (Gabe) Martinez was invited to speak at this year’s Disability Policy Seminar in Washington DC. The Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) is the premier opportunity to build support on Capitol Hill and amplify the concerns of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities before Congress. Disability advocates from across the United States come together first to learn about key disability policy issues and then to educate lawmakers. These advocates include people with disabilities, experts, and professionals. Advocacy Day on the Hill began the morning of day 2, outside on the Capitol Grounds. The program featured members of Congress as well as self-advocates sharing their stories. This is when Gabe gave his speech on the importance of public education and employment for people with disabilities, an issue near and dear to his heart. When asked to deliver a speech, Gabe said, “I wanted to talk about why I think public education matters. I wanted to speak to the people about education. I like public speaking and helping other people with disabilities.” As a graduate of the public school system, Gabe knows firsthand the importance of education. “I want to see more people with disabilities working in the community and public education helps that happen”.
In addition to Gabe, 10 other Fellows attended the DPS representing ArizonaLEND. The ArizonaLEND program has a strong focus on policy impact and from it’s charter, has included self-advocates within its faculty and cohorts. According to Gabe, sending an interdisciplinary team to DC was a great opportunity “to learn more things, like who our senators are and what they think, or what's going on in Congress. It is also good for us to learn about problems people with disabilities face and how we can help”. Gabe credits his participation in ArizonaLEND with becoming a stronger leader. He plans to continue his advocacy work in the future, striving “to be a good teacher and leader for different people, with and without disabilities”.
ID: ArizonaLEND trainees and faculty group photo pictured in front of the U.S. Capitol building, holding the Arizona flag from left to right: (Back Row) Celeste Vega, Mark Marcos, Fedra Calderon, Maritza McCabe, Vanessa Macamo, Gabe Martinez, Jennifer Arenas-Cárdenas, Cristina Sisneros, Jennifer Haggerty. (Front Row) Jenny Savage (Faculty), Sabina Itullerade, Anna Zreda.
