Unpaid Internships: Opening Doors for People with Disabilities

Internships play a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world professional experience. For people with disabilities, internships can be particularly vital, providing opportunities to develop skills, build networks, and gain confidence in a supportive environment. While paid internships are often preferred, unpaid internships can still offer significant benefits, provided they are structured thoughtfully and ethically.

The Value of Internships for Individuals with Disabilities

Internships offer a multitude of advantages for individuals with disabilities, including:

Skill Development: Internships provide a platform to acquire and refine professional skills relevant to various career paths, such as those in social services, IT, communications, and management. This hands-on experience is invaluable in preparing for future employment opportunities.
Career Exploration: Internships allow individuals to explore different career paths and industries, helping them identify their interests and strengths. This exploration can be particularly beneficial for those who are unsure about their career goals.
Networking Opportunities: Internships facilitate networking with professionals in the field, creating connections that can lead to future job opportunities or mentorship relationships. Building a professional network is essential for career advancement.
Increased Confidence: Successfully completing an internship can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, empowering individuals to pursue their career aspirations with greater conviction.
Enhanced Resume: Internships add valuable experience to a resume, making candidates more competitive in the job market. This is particularly important for individuals with disabilities, who may face additional challenges in securing employment.

Navigating Unpaid Internships: Considerations for People with Disabilities

While unpaid internships can offer valuable experience, it's important to approach them with careful consideration:

Financial Implications: Unpaid internships may not provide a living wage, which can be a barrier for individuals with disabilities who may have additional expenses related to their disability. It’s important to assess whether the individual's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance benefit (SSDI) check is not affected.
Legal Compliance: Unpaid internships must comply with labor laws, ensuring that the intern is primarily benefiting from the experience and that the employer is not simply using the intern as free labor.
Accessibility and Accommodation: Employers should ensure that the internship environment is accessible and that reasonable accommodations are provided to interns with disabilities.
Clear Learning Objectives: A well-structured unpaid internship should have clear learning objectives and provide opportunities for the intern to develop specific skills.
Supervision and Mentorship: Interns should receive adequate supervision and mentorship from experienced professionals.
Academic Credit: Some unpaid internships may offer academic credit, which can be a valuable benefit for students.

Resources and Programs Supporting Internships for People with Disabilities

Several organizations and programs are dedicated to supporting internships for people with disabilities:

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) Summer Internship Program: AAPD places college students, graduate students, law students, and recent graduates with all types of disabilities in summer internships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, non-profits, and for-profit organizations in the Washington, D.C. area. Each intern is matched with a mentor who will assist them with their career goals.
Entry Point!: Entry Point! is the signature program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)'s Project on Science, Technology and Disability. It offers paid summer internships for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities, majoring in STEM fields.
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP): The WRP is a recruitment program for students and recent graduates with disabilities for employment with the federal government. Opportunities are available for summer internships and full-time employment positions.
Disability:IN NextGen Leaders: The NextGen Initiatives empower college students and recent grads with disabilities, including veterans, to be successful in the workplace. Disability:IN NextGen Leaders have the opportunity to connect with leading brands across all industries.
GettingHired: GettingHired partners with colleges and universities nationwide to provide accessible employment resources for all students and graduates with disabilities and connect them with hiring employers for internship and full-time positions.
AccessComputing: AccessComputing, a National Science Foundation-funded project, provides mentoring and funding for career development activities for students with disabilities in computing-related fields.

Examples of Internship Programs and Experiences

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) of Washington State: DSHS offers both paid and unpaid internship opportunities for students who want to gain professional experience and make a difference in their communities. As an intern, you will gain valuable experience, develop professional skills, and contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact lives. DSHS is looking for motivated individuals who share their passion for public service and community impact. Interns at DSHS can expect a flexible schedule, with some hybrid/remote opportunities, depending upon the program needs. They will receive training in departmental procedures and learn important administrative skills. Interns will also work on meaningful projects that support the community and the mission of DSHS.
disABILITY LINK: This organization partners with AAPD to bring the internship program outside of D.C.
Pathway to Possible: This organization offers graduate social work internships and undergraduate human service internships, providing students with a wide range of experiences assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their daily lives and learning about the laws and social policies that affect people with disabilities.
Our Ability: This organization has many businesses across New York State interested in employing people with disabilities in internships and entry-level positions.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Internship Program

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) of Washington State offers both paid and unpaid internship opportunities for students who want to gain professional experience and make a difference in their communities.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for the DSHS internship program, applicants must be currently enrolled in good standing at a post-secondary college, university, or specialized technical or trade school. Being in good academic standing demonstrates a strong commitment to your education and ensures you have the foundational skills needed to succeed in this role. DSHS is looking for individuals who demonstrate a genuine interest in public service and thrive in team-oriented and inclusive environments. Successful candidates should possess strong organizational, communication, and collaborative skills, which are essential for effectively contributing to the work at DSHS. The ideal intern can work independently while adapting to fast-paced and evolving environments. Flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability to manage multiple priorities are crucial for success in this hybrid-remote program. Networking and relationship-building skills are key to maximizing your internship experience. DSHS interns should be passionate about helping others and dedicated to public service.

Internship Structure

Interns at DSHS can expect a flexible schedule, with some hybrid/remote opportunities, depending upon the program needs. They will receive training in departmental procedures and learn important administrative skills. Interns will also work on meaningful projects that support the community and the mission of DSHS. DSHS is looking for interns who are dependable, detail-oriented, and able to work during regular office hours.

Application Process

DSHS offers a paid summer internship, that is competitive. Recruitment for this internship starts in January through March and can be found on careers.wa.gov. DSHS offers limited opportunities across the administrations. The internship is a 10-week program that generally starts the first week of June and runs through the end of August. After you submit your application, and additional materials, you can expect a response within 1-2 business days.

Types of Internships Offered

DSHS offers various types of internships:

Paid Internships: These internships provide an hourly wage for a designated amount of time.
Unpaid…Credit Eligible Internships: These internships offer academic credit.
Volunteer Roles: These roles provide experience without credit.
Service Member Internships: These internships are for veterans or active-duty members transitioning to public service.

Success Stories: AAPD Internship Program

The AAPD Summer Internship Program has been instrumental in developing the next generation of leaders with disabilities and offering host employers access to a talented, diverse workforce.

Intern Profiles

Julio (James) Hernandez: A rising sophomore at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing a B.S. in economics with a concentration in finance. He is working for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), gaining experience in funding and strategic management.
Nakia Marquis Kidd: A recent graduate of Kennesaw State University, majoring in psychology with a minor in Medical Sociology. Nakia plans to attend graduate school to earn her PsyD. Her future goals involve practicing clinical psychology and starting a non-profit organization for those in need of mental health services. Nakia is currently interning at Side By Side, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the long-term well-being of people with brain injury-related disabilities and their families through skills development, support, and advocacy.
Derec Mackiewicz: Interning with Cobb Collaborative, he hopes to make an impact on the disabled community and others by investigating how the new Georgia Senate bill will affect the disabled community.
Mariya Vasileva: Originally from Bulgaria, she is currently interning at Statewide Independent Living Counsel for this AAPD program. Her goals for this internship include gaining good work experience for post-graduation after college, and she wants to start off working for an organization like this as a good entry-level position.

Dispelling Common Misconceptions

It is important to address some common misconceptions surrounding internships for people with disabilities:

Misconception: People with disabilities are less productive or capable in the workplace.
- Reality: With appropriate accommodations and support, people with disabilities can be just as productive and successful as their non-disabled peers.
Misconception: Providing accommodations for people with disabilities is too expensive or burdensome.
- Reality: Many accommodations are low-cost or no-cost, and the benefits of employing people with disabilities far outweigh the costs.
Misconception: Unpaid internships are always exploitative.
- Reality: While some unpaid internships may be exploitative, well-structured unpaid internships can provide valuable learning experiences and career opportunities, particularly when combined with academic credit or other benefits.

Read also: Are Unpaid Internships Legal?

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