Disability Mentoring Day

Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) is a large-scale national effort coordinated by AAPD to promote career development for students and job-seekers with disabilities through career exploration and ongoing mentoring relationships. DMD produces life changing results for mentees, connecting them to full time employment and internship opportunities.

While DMD officially launches the third Wednesday of each October during National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the foundation of the program has expanded from a one-day event to a year-round initiative across the country.

DMD was founded in 1999 through a White House initiative with less than three-dozen students participating to increase the awareness of NDEAM. Since that event, DMD has springboarded from a one day event for a small group of students to an extensive national mentoring program for young professionals with disabilities across the United States, territories, and abroad.

The growth of DMD is made possible by the unwavering work of DMD Coordinators across the country who volunteer their time to host and manage the logistical requirements for local and regional programs. AAPD continues to increase the reach of DMD through growing its network of DMD coordinators. If you or anyone you know may be interested or want additional information on becoming a DMD coordinator, please email us at DMD@aapd.com.

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Get Involved

Disability Mentoring Day Toolkit

Visit AAPD’s DMD Toolkit to learn more about Disability Mentoring Day and gain tips on virtual events, job shadowing, media outreach and more. For coordinators interested in engaging with Disability Mentoring Day and starting their own event, DMD Toolkit contains a FAQ section, factors to keep in mind when organizing an event, and where to find mentors. If there are any questions that may not be covered in this resource, please feel free to email us at DMD@aapd.com.

Disability Mentoring Day Events

Disability Mentoring Day Coordinators

DMD Coordinators are the volunteers that make Disability Mentoring Day possible each year all around the country. DMD coordinators can make a profound difference in the lives of young people with disabilities, hosting events that lead to their first paid internship or job. Coordinators are responsible for setting up DMD events in their community and making connections between students with disabilities, job seekers with disabilities, high schools, colleges and universities, local/state disability organizations, and businesses. Events look different across the country depending on the volunteer coordinator and the needs of the local community, but include job shadowing, one-on-one mentoring, panel discussions, professional development workshops, informational interviews, and more.

If you are interested in volunteering as a Disability Mentoring Day Coordinator please complete the online application form below. If you have any questions please email DMD@aapd.com.

Disability Mentoring Day Coordinator Sign-up Form

Mentors and Mentees

AAPD has an extensive list of active DMD coordinators across the country that we can share with potential participants interested in becoming a DMD mentee or mentor as well as businesses and organizations looking to help host and/or sponsor a DMD. If interested, please email us at DMD@aapd.com.

Businesses and Organizations

Whether it’s through serving as sponsors, event hosts, or mentors, corporations, local businesses, government agencies, and other organizations have been the driving force for moving the success of DMD forward. To learn more about the opportunities to have your organization get involved with DMD in a local community, please email us at DMD@aapd.com.