Dear Senator Mikulski,
My name is ////////////, and I am in the ninth grade at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. When pondering to whom I should write to, my grandma suggested that I take my case to the most powerful woman in the Senate who has always stood up for the rights of others. I have two younger brothers, and the youngest one, ///, has special needs. He detests learning anything outside of his interests and has certain comfort limits. Over the past years, /// has made amazing advances, but many other kids are not as fortunate and need assistance. My middle brother, ///, and I volunteer once a month to help young adults who are mentally and physically disabled in a program called KEEN. Unfortunately, they were unable to receive the opportunities /// has, and their disabilities are severe. Therefore, my family is knowledgeable about the struggles that go on for the disabled and their families. Those who live with the disabled take life one day at a time and worry about what the future may hold.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA protect the disabled from discrimination. Those laws, which you helped pass, have made great advances, but there is still more to do. One way to help the disabled and their families is to promote hiring them. One report showed that 65% of people who have learning disabilities want to work, but because of stereotypes about their inability to maintain a job and their lack of motivation to work hard, only 6% are paid employees. Many of those stereotypes are false and the disabled can still be as hardworking and courteous as anyone else.
Additionally, many disabled children attend public schools around the country. It is important for teachers and administrators to acknowledge the differences between all students and adjust their standards appropriately. /// has been in a specialized school, and this year we will have to look for a new school for entering third grade. Our family is worried that he might not find an appropriate educational setting that will accept him.
The laws to protect these rights are in place, but they should be better enforced and we depend on you to aid us. In thinking of my brother and our family, I am unaware of what his future may hold. Therefore I want to make his ability to have access to great opportunities as easy as possible.
Sincerely,
//////////////
My name is ////////////, and I am in the ninth grade at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. When pondering to whom I should write to, my grandma suggested that I take my case to the most powerful woman in the Senate who has always stood up for the rights of others. I have two younger brothers, and the youngest one, ///, has special needs. He detests learning anything outside of his interests and has certain comfort limits. Over the past years, /// has made amazing advances, but many other kids are not as fortunate and need assistance. My middle brother, ///, and I volunteer once a month to help young adults who are mentally and physically disabled in a program called KEEN. Unfortunately, they were unable to receive the opportunities /// has, and their disabilities are severe. Therefore, my family is knowledgeable about the struggles that go on for the disabled and their families. Those who live with the disabled take life one day at a time and worry about what the future may hold.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA protect the disabled from discrimination. Those laws, which you helped pass, have made great advances, but there is still more to do. One way to help the disabled and their families is to promote hiring them. One report showed that 65% of people who have learning disabilities want to work, but because of stereotypes about their inability to maintain a job and their lack of motivation to work hard, only 6% are paid employees. Many of those stereotypes are false and the disabled can still be as hardworking and courteous as anyone else.
Additionally, many disabled children attend public schools around the country. It is important for teachers and administrators to acknowledge the differences between all students and adjust their standards appropriately. /// has been in a specialized school, and this year we will have to look for a new school for entering third grade. Our family is worried that he might not find an appropriate educational setting that will accept him.
The laws to protect these rights are in place, but they should be better enforced and we depend on you to aid us. In thinking of my brother and our family, I am unaware of what his future may hold. Therefore I want to make his ability to have access to great opportunities as easy as possible.
Sincerely,
//////////////