Architecture and Advocacy in the State Capital

Our blog is spotlighting McCarthy Fellow in Sacramento, Francene “Cheena” Bendicion ’26. Cheena, an international student from the Philippines is a fourth-year architecture major with a minor in architectural engineering. Blending together politics, architecture, and standing up for what she believes in, Cheena has found a way to apply her major and her interests to her internship with Disability Rights California (DRC). Read about Cheena’s journey and how she will intertwine architecture and advocacy in her future career. 

When I first applied for the McCarthy Fellows program in Sacramento, I was unsure about the value of my skills since I had never worked around policy, nor was I well-versed in U.S. politics. I never had prior classes in politics, and the closest I have gotten to learning about politics was my history class. However, my lack of knowledge in this area only fed my curiosity. There are a lot of things I still do not know about the state legislative process but I was deeply interested in community engagement through my love for architecture. Though my major does not conventionally fit in the lines of policy work, I believed that the knowledge I possessed would be beneficial in any profession I see fit. 

Through my current coursework and architecture projects, I have continuously pondered how we can make spaces more functional for all kinds of humans and how we can cater more to the disability community. During my project and design class during my freshman year, I created a tactile map project for blind USF students,  where I learned about advocating for the disability community and how we can further encourage Universal Design Practices. With this problem-solving lens, I have been able to appreciate the significance of research and studies in order to produce more empathetic design and to understand the rhetoric around disability. 

Universal Design does not mean only catering to the disability community, but it also means providing support to anyone with a variety of accessibility needs. For example, a ramp may not only be beneficial to someone who is in a wheelchair, but it can also help a mother carrying a stroller. The language around access is certainly overlooked, and anyone who works around Architecture and Engineering needs to switch their mindset on these concepts — the motivation to address these concerns became my purpose as a public policy Intern for Disability Rights California (DRC).  

Accessibility is not just about compliance with legal requirements, but about creating environments that affirm dignity, independence, and belonging. Through my internship, I realized that accessibility is a universal condition of human life — we all benefit from spaces that are easier to navigate, more intuitive, and considerate of different needs. This perspective continues to shape my vision as a future architect, where design must not only address functionality, but also equity and inclusivity. As a designer, my role is very powerful in creating space that reflects the diverse demographics of the communities I am involved in, and through my internship, I wanted to learn how I can maximize my skills as an architecture student. 

Through my internship, I realized that accessibility is a
universal condition of human life

During my time with DRC, I was involved in research tasks for AB 1225, SB 27, and SB 820, where I had to collect data to help the organization’s lobbyists and attorneys in their respective bill hearings. I also had to fill out a long Excel file and update a contact list, which I found to be the most time-consuming task I have received during my internship. Though the things I did at DRC seemed small at first glance, I understood its importance later on in the efficacy of the entire organization’s work. I was also allowed to join bill hearings at the State Capitol and got to learn more about the legislative process and what my co-workers do daily. My favorite task of all was working with Kendra Muller on a policy memo regarding the Universal Model Ordinance and revising it so that it complies better with the regulations of the Affirmatively Further Fair Housing Act. I was also able to meet members of the disability community through my visit to the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley and my work during the Sacramento Pride Month Celebration. 

My role as a Public Policy intern was relevant and timely, especially considering the impacts of this new administration on health policies and extreme budget cuts on programs that matter most, like MediCaid. The opportunity to work with DRC changed my perspective on my approach towards design and how there is a need to establish more awareness around the disability community. I have learned that it takes a lot of patience and commitment to work in a non-profit, and the people I have met in this journey are people I will continuously look up to in my professional development. Being in this role has taught me that empathy is important in any work I do and is a powerful tool in connecting with people. I dedicate my advocacy towards productive change to my co-workers: Jenny, Greg, Eric, Tony, Karen, Kendra, Tremmel, Conrad, Sonja, and Laine — it is because of all of you that I had such a meaningful experience at DRC. I have learned so much about myself throughout this experience, and these are lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life. 

Interested in becoming a McCarthy Fellow in Sacramento? We’re recruiting for Summer 2026. Visit us here for more information.