National Leadership Program, Summer 2017
Ana Song
Ana (Hee Jae) Song was a Policy Fellow with RespectAbility, where she helped to create an innovative Community of Practice in Long Beach, California, with the ultimate goal of creating a national model of success while advancing opportunities for the people and community of Long Beach.
Song is a rising senior at Villanova University where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, with a concentration in Peace & Justice Studies. She also has minors in Spanish and Global Health. On campus, Song is deeply involved in the intersection of community service and social justice education.
Song’s interest in the disability community was initially fostered through the relationships she built with her campers as a counselor at Camp Promise—a no-cost, weeklong overnight camp for kids, teens and adults with Muscular Dystrophy or select neuromuscular diseases. Song’s experience sparked her commitment to promote education about mental health to eliminate stigmas and to inform people about psychological disorders. The combination of her experiences encouraged Song to dedicate her time toward policy work at RespectAbility.
In the future, Song hopes to work in the public health field, advocating for health equity and accessibility for all.
Song profiled Donna Walton, Curt Decker, Michael Murray and Ollie Cantos, four guest speakers for the 2017 Summer Fellowship. Read them on our website:
- Understanding Intersectionality and Self-Advocacy – Learning from Disability Diva Donna Walton
- Translating Good Policy into Good Practice – A Conversation with National Disabilities Rights Network’s Curt Decker
- No Pity: Employment Advice for People with Disabilities – Learning from the Office of Personnel Management’s Michael Murray
- Building Leadership and Adding Value – Advice from Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Ollie Cantos
Join Our Team
RespectAbility is a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community. Learn more about the National Leadership Program and apply for the next cohort! Contact BenS@RespectAbility.org for more information.
