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.AAPD has provided summer internship opportunities for students and recent graduates with disabilities for over twenty years. Starting in Fall 2023, we will expand our program and welcome our first fall interns.
The 2023 Fall Internship Program
The 2023 AAPD Fall Internship Program will be completely virtual. Eight interns will complete remote internships at pre-selected placement sites. Interns will work part-time for 15 to 20 hours a week. The program will be 10 weeks long. It will run from October 2 to December 8, 2023.
Interns are paid $18/hour up to 20 hours a week for 10 weeks.
During the fall, interns will:
- Attend a one-day virtual orientation on Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 12-5pm ET
- Take an advocacy class every 2 weeks
- Connect one-on-one with a virtual mentor
- Join virtual community events throughout the fall
- Gather for an in-person event November 3-6, 2023 (optional)
Applications are due Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.
We will have an information session to learn more about the program and application. The information session will be Thursday, May 18 from 4:00-4:30pm ET. CART and ASL will be provided. The session will be recorded and available on the AAPD website. Please email internships@aapd.com with any questions or accommodation requests.
Fall Internship Application and Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply?
To be a fall intern you must:
- Identify as a person with a disability
- Be a current student or recent graduate of a U.S. based university or program (see below)
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
A recent graduate is anyone who has graduated from an educational setting or a skills-based program in the last five years. For fall 2023, this includes anyone who graduated in 2018 or later.
Please look at each placement site for specifics on who can apply.
How to apply?
You can view the entire application in our Fall Application Google document. The official application must be submitted through the SurveyMonkey application link.
You must submit:
- Applicant information
- Internship Placement Preference
- Essays
- Resume
- Two (2) References
Intern Expectations
- Interns will work 15-20 hours a week, depending on internship site requirements
- Interns will attend AAPD-sponsored activities, including the Disability Advocacy Certificate Program every other week
- Interns will be good communicators throughout the program. We will use technology like Google, Zoom, and email to communicate
- Interns will attend a 5-hour with breaks orientation in September
- Interns will follow the Code of Conduct
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I get to choose my internship?
A: For the fall internships, you apply and tell us your top choices for your placement site. You may not get your first choice, but you will get to decide if you want to accept or decline the internship.
Q: How much do fall interns get paid?
A: Fall interns will be paid a stipend of $18 an hour up to 20 hours a week.
Q: I have questions about the Disability Advocacy Certificate Program?
A: Please visit our Certificate Program page to learn more. For fall interns, the Certificate Program will meet every other week for 2 hours.
Q: Do I have to pay for my own travel and hotel for the in-person gathering?
A: No. AAPD will pay for your travel and hotel if you would like to join the in-person gathering.
Q: I have more questions, where can I get more information?
A: You can email internships@aapd.com or call 202-975-0241.
Fall 2023 Placement Sites
For fall 2023, applicants will select which internship they prefer from a list of predetermined placement sites. There are eight placement sites total. Our team is still working to confirm the final placement site, with more information to come soon.
Please review the internship descriptions below. Please note that some internships require additional materials or have requirements for who can apply.
Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee
Congressional Placement
20 hours a week
The Senate HELP committee is chaired by Senator Bernie Sanders. The committee works on many issues related to disability policy. The intern will have a part in the legislative process. This means how a bill becomes a law. This internship is good for people with experience in disability policy who want to work on Capitol Hill.
The AAPD intern will:
- Assist in office tasks
- Conduct research
- Analyze legislation
- Draft letters about a policy
- Assist in preparing for hearings
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply. This internship requires U.S. Citizenship.
Full Senate HELP Job Description
If you are interested in interning for the Senate HELP Committee, you will have to fill out both the AAPD Application and the Senate HELP application portal. Only applications successfully submitted in both will be considered.
National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
Nonprofit
15-20 hours a week
NDRN is a national membership association. This means they are nonprofit that have members in every U.S. State and territory. Their members are Protection and Advocacy organizations (P&As). P&As provide legal advocacy services for people with disabilities. This means they help people with disabilities fight for their legal rights.
NDRN works on public policy that impacts their members and people with disabilities. This internship is good for people who want to do disability policy or law.
The AAPD intern will:
- Conduct research
- Write about policy recommendations
- Represent NDRN in meetings
- Create reports about issues that matter
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply.
Elevance Health
For-Profit
20 hours a week
Elevance Health is a health insurance company. The AAPD intern will work on inclusive policy and advocacy. The intern will work on policies so people with disabilities are included in healthcare decisions. This internship is good for someone interested in health equity.
The AAPD intern will:
- Conduct policy research
- Track legislation and news about disability and healthcare
- Meet with partners from the disability and aging communities
- Plan for meetings and conferences
- Review Requests for Proposals
- Create communications
Who can apply?
You must be a current undergraduate or graduate student. This internship requires U.S. citizenship.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living (ACL)
Federal Agency
15-20 hours a week
ACL was created so people with disabilities and older adults can be a part of their communities. They are working with states and territories so that people with disabilities can live the lives they want to live. This is a good internship for people interested in disability policy. This includes policy for home and community based services.
The AAPD intern will:
- Research policy issues that impact people with disabilities and older adults
- Prepare materials
- Share updates on state and national bills
- Attend meetings related to health care and disability policy
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply. This internship requires U.S. citizenship.
Paul K. Longmore Institute
Nonprofit
15-20 hours a week
The Paul K. Longmore Institute is at the University of San Francisco. They educate and hold cultural events for the disability community. They share about disability history and theory. This internship is good for people with interest in disability culture.
The AAPD intern will:
- Plan accessible events
- Create graphics and social media
- Participate in Superfest Disability Film Festival
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Federal Agency
15-20 hours a week
HUD provides housing support to communities. This internship will focus on finance and economic development. The internship is good for people interested in housing policy. Interns will gain experience doing financial management.
The AAPD intern will:
- Review applications for project funding
- Analyze contracts
- Process final approvals
- Work on loan management activities
- Write about successful projects for HUD’s newsletter
Who can apply?
Anyone can apply. This internship requires U.S. citizenship.
Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network
Nonprofit
20 hours a week
Hand in Hand is a national organization of employers of domestic workers. Domestic workers are nannies, house cleaners, and home care workers. Hand in Hand represents people who hire others to provide care. This includes people with disabilities who hire Direct Support Professionals. Hand in Hand brings together people with disabilities and care workers. Together, they fight for better working conditions for care workers. They also fight for policies that make care more accessible.
This internship is good for people interested in workers rights and home and community based services.
The AAPD intern will:
- Create content and writing for communications
- Support education and organizing webinars
- Build skills in campaign work
Who should apply?
Anyone can apply.
Support for the 2023 Fall Internship Program is provided by Arconic Foundation.
Thank you for supporting the expansion of our internship program with our first fall cohort.