A Conversation with American Enterprise Institute’s Gerard Robinson Rockville, Md., June 30 – Gerard Robinson, a resident fellow at American Enterprise Institute (AEI), visited Respectability to share with Fellows and staff about his experience and interests in education, policy and politics. Robinson discussed what skills he has found helpful throughout his career and his commitment [click to continue...]
Advice on Capturing your Audience’s Attention from Pollster and Political Strategist Celinda Lake Rockville, Md., June 29 – Imagine you are a lioness, deep in the African safari. You keep watch over your young cubs that are rolling and tumbling around under the blazing sun nearby. Suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you [click to continue...]
Learning from Political Expert Dan Hazelwood Rockville, Md., June 29 – “Win people through emotions,” Dan Hazelwood told an audience of attentive RespectAbility Fellows earlier this month. “The heart overrides logic.” Hazelwood mastered the technique of captivating voters in the political world. His main expertise involves campaign strategy, message development, targeting and persuasion mail. A [click to continue...]
A Conversation with Donna Meltzer: A Role Model for Disability Advocates Rockville, Md., June 29 – Donna Meltzer, the CEO of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), is not an ordinary disability rights advocate. In fact, it was an internship with Congress that opened her eyes to a new world of activism. [click to continue...]
Lessons from Eleanor Clift on Being the Underdog Rockville, Md., June 28 – Eleanor Clift never aspired to be in a position where her words could influence a large audience’s opinion. However, when the opportunity arose for her to become the amazing reporter she is today, she did not pass it up. Clift was a [click to continue...]
Learning Effective Advocacy Strategies with Lisa Thomas of the American Federation of Teachers Rockville, Md., June 28 – “The lack of cohesive, consistent messaging is the Achilles heel of the disability community,” Dr. Lisa Thomas told a group of RespectAbility Fellows earlier this month. “We do have competing priorities.” Thomas, the Associate Director and Special Education [click to continue...]
A Conversation with Renowned Journalist Cal Thomas Rockville, Md., June 28 – During his talk with RespectAbility Fellows last week, Cal Thomas, a renowned journalist, celebrated author and Fox News contributor, proclaimed, “A cheerful spirit stands out like a rose in the snowstorm; people want to be around happy people.” Thomas’ words sparked my excitement [click to continue...]
Learning from Ron Drach, Combat Veteran Wounded in the Vietnam War Rockville, Md., June 26 – Earlier this month, the RespectAbility Fellows had the privilege of hearing from Ron Drach, a combat veteran wounded in the Vietnam War. Drach says he’s lucky to have survived his wounds. “If I could sum up the beginning of [click to continue...]
A Conversation with Jewish Disability Inclusion Champion Steve Rakitt Rockville, Md., June 26 – Steve Rakitt’s journey to becoming the champion of Jewish disability inclusion began with a single decision to laugh. Rakitt grew up not viewing his hearing loss as a disability, to which he credits his mother’s incessant support and activism toward the [click to continue...]
Learning from Disability Diva Donna Walton Rockville, Md., June 12 – When Donna Walton walked into the RespectAbility office, she greeted us with a radiant smile and embraced me a warm hug. A champion for empowering women with disabilities, Walton brought an air of confidence and acceptance that could be felt by everyone in the [click to continue...]
