WASHINGTON — In many ways, Jason Gallagher resembles any of the swarm of summer interns on Capitol Hill, with his earnest manner, unabashed passion for public policy and new dress clothes.
But Gallagher, who will spend the summer working for U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore of Kansas, has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair full time.
The Rockhurst University junior is one of nine young people with disabilities who are participating in a congressional internship program through the American Association of People with Disabilities.
So while Gallagher — like any other intern — is in Washington to learn, he also knows his physical condition means he’s seen in ways other interns are not. He figures he’s teaching as well as learning.
“It’s kind of lead by example,” said Gallagher, 24, of Olathe, Kan. “Whether it’s here or at Rockhurst, you go about your day and hope people see there’s nothing wrong with having a disability. We can lead our lives, go to school, go to jobs.”
Zachary Coble, also from Kansas, is part of the program and is an intern for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. Pennsylvania native Paul Fogle is an intern for Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas.
“I’d venture to say people take me as an example,” said Fogle, who has a cardiac condition that affects his breathing and mobility. “I’m a person who believes everyone is on a level playing field whether they’re disabled or not.”
The program, which is funded mainly by the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation, pays for travel and housing (interns live in a George Washington University dorm in downtown Washington) and provides a stipend. It began in 2002 after a Mitsubishi executive on the association’s board of directors noted the lack of interns with disabilities on Capitol Hill. There were two interns in the program’s first year.
“Our mission is political and economic empowerment,” said Andrew Imparato, president of the association. “One important way to empower people is to acquaint them with how policy is made. And the reality is these are plum jobs.”
The program has grown in popularity as word has spread, with about 100 applications for the nine slots this summer.
“It’s not a charity thing,” Imparato said. “It’s not a pity thing. We know there are talented people with disabilities who can help congressional offices, and for some reason they don’t show up in the pool.”
Gallagher, for instance, has worked as an advocate for people with disabilities since he got out of high school, when he experienced a political awakening after trying to get state funding for a personal-care assistant so he could live more independently.
“That was a full-time fight,” Gallagher said.
More recently, Gallagher has worked to loosen restrictions on how the disabled can use wheelchairs paid for by Medicare.
Having lobbied in Topeka for himself and others with disabilities, Gallagher hopes an up-close view of Washington policy-making will help him help others in the future.
Congressional offices say the internships are great for both sides.
“We’ve had a wonderful experience with the quality of their work,” said Brownback, who has had three interns through the program.
“They bring a sensitivity to topics because of their life experiences that really infects the office. It personalizes policy issues and societal issues that may come up,” Brownback said.
Howard Bauleke, Moore’s chief of staff, said the interns are judged just like any of their peers.
“They rise and fall on skill levels and other talents,” Bauleke said. “You’ve got the party crowd. And then you’ve got the serious ones who really want to focus on issues.”
Having established himself as the latter, Gallagher will get opportunities to work on more substantive issues than sorting mail and giving tours, which is where most interns start, Bauleke said.
While the expectations for disabled interns are high, they do face challenges and limitations. Gallagher joked that he “won’t be carrying boxes of letterhead.” Fogle does not generally lead Capitol tours for visiting constituents.
Brian Hart, Brownback’s spokesperson, said, “The interns are as much an education for us as we are for them.”
