The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is proud to announce its 2026 Fall Internship Program Cohort, marking another milestone in the organization’s ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders within the disability community. Over the past several weeks, the participants of this year’s fall cohort have been deeply engaged at their respective internship placement sites, where they are actively developing new professional skills, forming meaningful career connections, and gaining invaluable insight from established leaders across the disability rights movement during weekly Friday community events.
Now in its fourth year, the AAPD Fall Internship Program builds upon the proven success of AAPD’s broader internship program model. This framework has been carefully designed to help students and recent graduates with disabilities cultivate stronger disability identities, equipping them with the tools, confidence, and experience necessary to effectively shape the future of modern workplaces and civic communities. By offering a fully virtual and part-time format, the fall internship program ensures that talented individuals have flexible opportunities to access meaningful employment, build crucial leadership skills, and maintain a direct connection to the broader disability community without encountering the traditional barriers often associated with rigid workplace structures.
The 2026 edition of the fall program officially commenced in late August and is scheduled to conclude in early December, providing participants with a comprehensive and immersive professional development experience. Throughout the duration of the program, AAPD ensures that interns are fully supported by providing competitive wages, necessary technology support, dedicated mentorship, and extensive access to a wide array of networking and educational opportunities. These resources are designed to ensure that every participant can thrive in their placement site while simultaneously expanding their professional horizons and deepening their understanding of policy, advocacy, and community organizing.
A central component of the internship experience is regular participation in weekly community events. During these gatherings, interns have the unique opportunity to connect directly with prominent disabled leaders, build a supportive peer community, and learn firsthand how to effectively advocate for key issues affecting the disability community on local, national, and systemic levels. These sessions serve as both an educational platform and a collaborative space where interns can exchange ideas, discuss contemporary challenges, and explore innovative solutions to advance accessibility, inclusion, and civil rights.
To kick off their journey and establish a strong foundation of camaraderie, the fall interns gathered in person late July during the momentous week marking the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This pre-internship gathering allowed the cohort to meet face-to-face, build personal and professional connections, get to know one another, and interact directly with AAPD staff members as well as participants from the organization’s summer internship cohort. During their visit to Washington, DC, in July, the fall AAPD interns participated in a robust schedule filled with diverse events and activities designed to immerse them in the heart of the national disability advocacy landscape.
The establishment and ongoing success of the AAPD Fall Internship Program would not be possible without the generous support and philanthropic commitment of the Arconic Foundation, whose partnership continues to empower disabled youth and young professionals as they transition into impactful careers. Through this collaborative effort, AAPD and its supporters remain dedicated to dismantling employment disparities, championing authentic representation, and ensuring that individuals with disabilities have an unhindered voice in shaping the future of leadership across all sectors of society.
Those interested in learning more about the exceptional individuals participating in this year’s cohort can read the full biographies of the 2026 fall interns by visiting the official AAPD website at aapd.com.
