Fall Internship Program
The AAPD Fall Internship Program is a professional and career development opportunity for disabled students and recent graduates. Interns explore career opportunities, gain leadership skills, and connect to the broader disability community.
The 2024 Fall Internship Program
Applications for Fall 2024 are now closed. Please check back in early spring 2025 for more information about Fall 2025.
Throughout the Fall Internship Program, interns will:
- Attend a virtual kickoff call in June.
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Attend an optional in-person gathering in Washington D.C. from Wednesday, July 24, 2024 to Saturday, July 27, 2024.
- Participate in a virtual orientation on Sunday, August 25 from 12-4pm ET with breaks.
- Take a disability advocacy class every 2 weeks. We’re planning for Fridays between 12-3pm ET.
- Connect one-on-one with a virtual mentor
- Join virtual community events throughout the fall
Please email internships@aapd.com with any questions or accommodation requests.
AAPD Summer Internship Program 2024 Information Session Recording and Resources:
Fall Internship Application and Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply?
To be a fall intern you must:
- Identify as a person with a disability
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A current student must be an undergraduate sophomore or later. First-year undergaduate students are not eligible to apply
- Be a current student or recent graduate of a U.S. based university or program (see below)
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
We often get questions about who can apply, so below is some additional information about the requirements:
- You will not be required to share your specific disability or provide any documentation. You just need to identify as a person with a disability
- A recent graduate is anyone who has graduated from an educational setting or a skills-based program in the last five years. For Fall 2024, this includes anyone who graduated Fall 2019 or later
- U.S. citizenship is not required for our program. It may be required for specific placement sites. However you must have the required work authorization documents.
- You do not need to be a traditional degree-seeking college student. A U.S. based school or program could include a university, a community or technical college, a skills-based transition program, a non-degree seeking inclusive college program, an apprenticeship or trade school.
AAPD is committed to cultivating a diverse cohort of interns. We select interns who demonstrate their passion and vision of contributing to an inclusive workforce. In order to create gainful employment opportunities for people with disabilities, we recognize the importance of selecting a class of interns that reflect the diversity of our community. We strongly encourage individuals from historically excluded groups to apply.
If you have a question about if you are able to apply, please email
internships@aapd.com or call 202-975-0241.
How to apply?
The fall application is currently closed, but to see a copy of the 2024 application, view our Fall Application Google document.
Placement Sites
AAPD’s Internship placements fall into the following categories:
- Congressional offices: Current Representative or Senator’s office in U.S. Congress
- Federal agency: Government organizations that direct policy, programs, and resources at the national level.
- Nonprofit: Organizations that typically use its funds for the community to further a social cause or advocate for a shared point of view rather than using the funds internally
- For-profit: Private sector companies that have an interest in disability inclusion
We work closely with interns to find the best placement site match based on their career goals and preferences. View AAPD’s Placement Site Overview to learn more about our past partners and potential new placement sites.
Intern Expectations
- Interns will work 15 hours a week
- Interns will attend AAPD-sponsored activities, including the Disability Advocacy Certificate Program every other week. We are planning to host the certificate program classes on Fridays from 12-3pm ET
- Interns will be good communicators throughout the program. We will use technology like Google, Zoom, and email to communicate
- Interns will attend a kickoff call in June and orientation on August 25, 2024 from 12-4pm ET. Interns have the option to attend in-person in Washington, DC from July 24-27, 2024.
- Interns will follow the Code of Conduct and Community Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I get to choose my internship?
AAPD will strive to place all interns with a placement site that matches their career goals and preferences, but AAPD has the final decision on all placement sites.
How much do fall interns get paid?
Fall interns will be paid a stipend of $18 an hour for 15 hours for 14 weeks.
I have questions about the Disability Advocacy Certificate Program?
Please visit our Certificate Program page to learn more. For fall interns, the Certificate Program will meet every other week for 2 hours.
Do I have to pay for my own travel and hotel for the in-person gathering?
No. AAPD will pay for your travel and hotel if you would like to join the in-person gathering.
I have more questions, where can I get more information?
You can email internships@aapd.com or call 202-975-0241.