My name is Nick Mastrella, I am a graduating senior at SUNY Oneonta. I am fresh off my experience with the SUNY Washington Internship Program and I am very excited to share this transformative experience!
As someone on the Autism spectrum, an experience like I had for these last four months was something that previously may have been considered to be far out of my reach. In my early childhood, educators set my highest bar as being able to sit in a mainstream classroom without any participation. This was not done out of malice, but out of protection of a child that was seen as vulnerable. Now, as a 25-year-old man, we thankfully live in a world where those on the spectrum are not seen as vulnerable, but rather are seen as capable and equal to those around them. While great strides have been made, there is still work to be done to advocate for kids in positions like I was growing up. The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is here to help.
While in D.C. I was able to work as a Policy Intern for the organization, advocating for those with disabilities in the issue areas of technology support as well as Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). While working for NACDD, I connected with many amazing task forces working to ensure that we continue to move away from the world that set low expectations for those with disabilities in the early 2000’s, and more towards a world that expects great outcomes from those with disabilities as would be expected from those without them.
Personally, I was petrified by the prospect of going somewhere completely new, in pursuit of a dream for which I had no mentors to follow. I was afraid to put myself out there but was greatly surprised by just how much I was able to do in such a short amount of time. I presented the current action by the organization within issue areas to the 56 developmental disabilities councils. I was proud to speak at a disability event on Capitol Hill as a self-advocate, where I also had the privilege to introduce my very own Congressman, Marc Molinaro (NY-19), and subsequently formed a relationship with his wonderful office on disability issues. I left D.C. having been included in the process. This is a reality that the kid in the corner of the classroom could never have expected.
Looking back on my journey from the corner of the classroom to the nation’s Capital, I recognize just how transformative this experience has been. The SUNY Washington Internship Program gave me the opportunity to far exceed limitations once imposed on me, a reality which everyone with disabilities can live when given the right support network. I left Washington D.C. more confident in my abilities and more determined to champion the rights of those who are still fighting for inclusion and opportunity. The relationships I’ve built and the lessons I’ve learned have solidified my commitment to making a meaningful impact. I’m excited for the future and to work with everyone, especially those reading this article towards ushering in a more inclusive and more inhabitable world for all.