The annual King County Legislative Forum for Developmental Disabilities took place on November 19, and OLS students enrolled in the Citizenship course were there to take part in the program. This event, put on by the Arc of King County, provides an opportunity for the disability community to voice their concerns and issues to their elected officials. Attending the forum allows students to realize that they can be an advocate for the disability community, helps them build a foundation for speaking to people they are unfamiliar with, and provides an opportunity for them to speak to their elected officials about issues that are important to them.
In preparation for the event, students were asked to prepare an advocacy statement to speak to their legislators about. One student, Katelyn, chose to speak about her concern that general education teachers do not have enough resources to teach students with learning disabilities.
“Tonight I got to listen and talk about issues that affect me and many others just like me,” she says. “It was a very empowering and eye-opening experience for me. I even got to meet Lisa Callan! Attending the forum affected me in way I never thought it would. It made me think about how lucky I am to have a voice, and that I need to use it more and speak up and hope to have my needs met. I would absolutely attend more in my future. I loved every second of it!”
Citizenship is one of the many courses OLS Students take to obtain their associate degree from OLS. Attendance to this legislative forum is a annual event for the Citizenship course as a community activity. More information about our curriculum is available on our website. To learn more about our program register for an Information Session.
Last Updated September 15, 2020