You may remember us sharing our students’ experiences attending the King County Board for Developmental Disabilities Legislative Forum on November 20th. OLS Student Joey Wilson had his story featured in the legislative packet and was fortunate enough to meet with his district representative Noel Frame and discuss the issues he faces as a citizen in King County, particularly surrounding the current income limits under the Apple Healthcare for Workers with Disabilities (AHWD) program.
On January 17th Wilson took advantage of another opportunity to meet Representative Frame at her office in Olympia discuss the issue further.
“This meeting was great. Noel was supportive and helpful, and I am glad I can help people facing this issue, including myself,” says Wilson. “[In the OLS] Citizenship Course I realized that if there’s going to be change, it comes from advocacy; it’s a powerful tool. If you have a chance to make a difference in your community, no matter what you should follow what you think is right. One person can make a difference.”
Advocacy is a part of the overall OLS Bellevue College program. Each year students are given opportunities to learn how to advocate for themselves and issues that affect them. Each opportunity acts as a stepping stone for learning about advocacy, culminating in the students interviewing for a 200-hour internship in their final quarter of the program. For more information on the OLS Bellevue College program, please visit our website or register for an upcoming Information Session.
Last Updated January 31, 2018