One of the greatest challenges within the criminal justice system today is the lack of understanding surrounding disabilities, both visible and invisible. Too often, people with disabilities are left to navigate systems that were not built with them in mind. I’ve come to believe that awareness within the justice system is a kind of mercy that can change outcomes and even save lives. In my Policing and Society class, I chose to focus my semester-long research paper on how police interact with people with disabilities, especially those on the autism spectrum. I wanted to understand what was happening to such an underrepresented group, and why so many encounters ended in tragedy. Autism can sometimes be misread as defiance. Overstimulation or confusion can appear as an unwillingness to follow orders. A lack of understanding in those moments can quickly escalate a situation that needed patience instead of force. My research showed how sensitivity and awareness could make all the difference. It taught me that compassion, when practiced intentionally, is a form of protection. Later, during my internship with my town’s police department, I was able to see those lessons come to life. The officers I worked with had training designed to help them evaluate their use of force and assess whether outside factors (like mental health or disability) might be influencing a person’s behavior. I went on several ride-alongs, and what stayed with me most was how carefully they approached each person. When they interacted with individuals with disabilities, their tone softened. Their movements slowed. They treated each situation as a human moment, not a problem to control. Watching that kind of patience and restraint taught me that awareness can be learned, and when it is, it can make communities safer for everyone. My interest in ADA law grew from moments like these. I want to take that same sense of awareness and expand it into every area of society. In workplaces, schools, and public spaces, people with disabilities deserve to be understood, not just accommodated. Accessibility should be part of how we think, not an afterthought. Since I was young, I have worked with children with disabilities, which shaped how I see the world. In high school, I joined Best Buddies, and those friendships deepened my sense of purpose. These are people with full, beautiful lives. They have their own hopes, humor, and ways of seeing the world. Most of them don’t need someone to speak for them; they just need to be understood. That kind of grace does not cost much to give, but it changes everything when it’s offered. Studying both Criminal Justice and Theology has helped me see how dignity and fairness intertwine. My faith teaches me that every person carries worth, and my studies show me how systems can either honor or deny that worth. The combination drives me to pursue a future in ADA law, where I can advocate for accessibility, awareness, and fairness across the justice system. The opportunities I’ve had so far: my classes, my research, my internship, and my volunteer work, have all led me here. They’ve shown me that justice begins with how we see one another. I want to help build a system where understanding is second nature, where people with disabilities are treated not as exceptions but as equals.