I’ve been involved in Kids as Self Advocates (KASA) since I was fifteen, beginning as a young, new board member, and making my way up to being co-chair. KASA was my first real exposure to national advocacy, and helped me understand how disability rights impacts the country and the world. KASA exposed me to the wide world outside of my hometown in Wisconsin, it was one of the first organizations in which I was able to have a leadership role, one of the first organizations in which I felt I was heard. I’d tried to run for leadership roles in High School, but didn’t really understand how to express myself, nor work in a team. KASA has helped me improve my teamwork skills and my public speaking skills, and taught me about my rights as a person with a disability. I was able to take this knowledge to Pakistan, and start a non-profit project that aids young people with disabilities in Pakistan, helping them learn their rights.

-Hamza’s story about his involvement with KASA, a Family Voices project