by Benjamin Snow
In 2001, at age 14, I was selected as one of 15 young people with disabilities from across the United States to be a member of the Youth Advisory Committee of the Presidential Task Force of Employment of People with Disabilities. It was a tremendous experience.
The Task Force was formed when Harry Truman was president. Its mission is to work to improve employment rates of people with disabilities. It is an important mission because today in America, 75 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed.
We met several times, in Washington, D.C.. Each of us worked on subcommittees and talked about various aspects of employment, such as the importance of education and paying in to social security.
I worked on a subcommittee to find solutions to improve accessible transportation for people with disabilities. This is an important issue because more people with disabilities could participate in the workforce when they have accessible transportation to get to and from their job.
When our committee’s work was completed, our recommendations were included in a report sent to the President of the United States, George W. Bush.
Working on a presidential committee was a rare opportunity that was beneficial on many levels. I was able to serve my country and learn about how some of our government works. It also was a way for me to serve people with disabilites.
Although my work may not go into effect for years it could make a difference. When it comes to improved accessibility, transportation and employment of people with disabilities, the more we can do now the better. Who knows what the future might bring?(Back to top)
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