Meet intern Kai-Wen
We recently interviewed Kai-Wen Huang about her experience as an MSW intern for Disability Empowerment Center this school year. Here’s what she shared:
Where are you currently a student, in what program and when do you graduate?
I am currently a first-year Master of Social Work student at the University of Washington, and I’m graduating next June. I’m also an international student from Taiwan! I grew up with my uncle Jon who has Down syndrome, and he is one of the warmest, most lovely and caring human being I’ve ever known! This experience led me to explore the disability community in my MSW journey.
What are you most proud of working on or accomplishing during your time here?
Trying my best to sit with people and actively listen during their hardest times. Understanding the criteria of different benefit programs and realizing that they’re often on waitlists, unavailable or that no one picks up the phone, etc.
I’m proud of my consumers’ wisdom, their life experiences, their strengths and skills in independent living and their self-determined goals. I’m also proud of my own passion to find and foster these resources they already have, and to learn and grow with my consumers throughout the process.
Now, I’m creating a Mandarin-speaking community outreach program, which serves a group of people that is less represented in our services. I’ve been translating flyers and navigating outreach in the community, and we hope to get more diverse communities involved and connected to services.
What are a couple of key things you've learned during your internship that you'll take with you?
During my BSW program in Taiwan, I wrote my thesis using a strengths-based perspective and the social model of disability. One thing that surprised and inspired me is how the Disability Empowerment Center genuinely practices these values every day.
Centers for Independent Living in the U.S. must have more than half of their staff be persons with disabilities, and at Disability Empowerment Center we are 100% led by and for persons with disabilities. In my previous experiences, I had rarely seen any service that is structured in this way.
At Disability Empowerment Center, we share resources, provide peer support and rock with people in their boat together. We never tell people what to do, but show them the resources, reach out and advocate with them. We never see people as their diagnosis, but as how they show up genuinely as human beings with unique strengths and experiences. I think that is beautiful and the kind of social work value I want to uphold in the future as a social worker, no matter where I’m working.
Photo of Cynthia and Kai-Wen (right) working together in the Disability Empowerment Center office
What's been the most rewarding part of your experience at Disability Empowerment Center?
At the moment, many services are facing enormous challenges, and there is a significant lack of available resources. Disability Empowerment Center shows up as an ally to people because we never turn people away based on their backgrounds.
This work has helped me discover my own strengths in supporting people during challenging situations and adapting to constant change. Being able to sit with people, listen and show up consistently is often exactly what folks need. It’s incredibly rewarding to see consumers achieve their goals step by step—whether that’s finding housing, pursuing career opportunities or connecting with resources. One step at a time, and one day at a time.
Is there anything surprising that you learned or experienced?
One thing that surprised me was how the workplace actively supports accommodations and comfort. People can bring their lovely doggies and kitties to work, use little fidgety toys or move around the office to find the spot that feels best for them. It feels very human and welcoming. There’s also an open and universal acknowledgment that people have the right to ask for accommodations. I rarely saw workplaces like this growing up, so it has been meaningful for me to experience an environment that truly supports and practices accessibility.
Anything else you want to share?
Just want to say thank you to my supervisor Cynthia, the staff at Disability Empowerment Center and my consumers who have shared so much knowledge and lived experience with me, shown up and are making changes in the communities.
In social work we often talk about micro practice (working one-on-one with individuals), mezzo practice (organizational work) and macro practice (policy and advocacy). I’m proud that the staff at Disability Empowerment Center engage in all of these levels using their expertise and lived experience.
As I continue my practicum, I hope to participate more in peer events and groups, grow with more consumers and just enjoy my time as much as I can at Disability Empowerment Center. I really appreciate the opportunity to have Disability Empowerment Center be my first-year practicum site in the MSW program!