Anastasia Somoza is used to be making waves.

She made national news when she was nine, asking President Bill Clinton why her twin sister Alba, who has a more severe form of cerebral palsy than she has, wasn't allowed to be in a mainstream classroom.

Somoza is now the City Council's first liaison to the disability community, appointed by Speaker Corey Johnson. 

"Even though we're the largest minority, we're also still the most unseen and unheard," she said.

She already has begun staking out priorities. For one, making the subways more accessible. Less than one-quarter of the stations have elevators. 

"My needs aren't special. My needs are human needs, just like yours," she said.

Somoza was born in Manhattan with spastic quadriplegia, a form of cerebral palsy limiting use of her limbs.

Her activism comes naturally. She and her parents are used to fighting for equal treatment.

"I see my role as being the connector between disabled New Yorkers and the work that we do here," she said.

Somoza graduated from Georgetown University. Her work with the Clinton Global Initiative led to a role at the last Democratic National Convention, where she criticized Donald Trump's treatment of a disabled reporter.

"Donald Trump doesn't see me. He doesn't hear me," she said.

Somoza says she jumped at the chance to work on local issues in City Hall. After all, New York is her home.

When asked if she might be a member of the City Council one day, she said, "Maybe one day. I wouldn't, I wouldn't rule it out." 

One thing Somoza knows is that she wants others to follow in her path. 

"I am the first, but I by no means should be the last," she said.

She draws inspiration from a sticker on her desk. "Disability rights are civil rights," it says.

"I look at it and smile, and it reminds me of why I'm working so hard to change things," she said.