Now celebrating its fourth year, the AAPD Fall Internship Program successfully builds upon the foundational framework of AAPD’s renowned internship model. This comprehensive initiative is intentionally designed to cultivate and strengthen disability identities among students and recent graduates with disabilities. By empowering these emerging professionals, the program ensures they are well-equipped to shape the future of modern workplaces, influence public policy, and drive meaningful progress within their local communities and society at large.
The program’s thoughtful design addresses traditional barriers to employment by utilizing a fully virtual and part-time format. This structure provides flexible, accessible opportunities for interns to secure meaningful employment experience, acquire critical leadership competencies, and remain deeply connected to the broader disability community without compromising their health, well-being, or academic commitments. The 2026 fall program officially commenced in late August and is scheduled to conclude in early December, offering participants an intensive yet balanced semester of professional development and community engagement.
To ensure equitable access and recognize the value of the interns’ labor, AAPD provides comprehensive support throughout the duration of the program. This includes competitive wages, necessary technology support to facilitate seamless remote participation, dedicated mentorship from experienced professionals, and extensive access to high-level networking and educational opportunities. A cornerstone of the internship experience is the 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 engage in critical discussions regarding how to effectively advocate for key issues impacting the disability community today.
Preparation for the fall program began well before the virtual placements officially kicked off in August. In late July, the fall AAPD interns gathered in person in Washington, DC, coinciding with the historic anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This immersive in-person gathering served as a vital onboarding and bonding experience, allowing the incoming fall interns to establish meaningful 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 impactful visit to the nation’s capital, the interns participated in a wide array of educational events, civic activities, and professional development sessions tailored to deepen their understanding of disability advocacy and policy on a national scale.
The launch and ongoing success of the 2026 AAPD Fall Internship Program represent a significant collaborative effort rooted in a shared commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professional sphere. Such comprehensive programming and robust participant support are made possible through the generous philanthropic backing and partnership of the Arconic Foundation, whose ongoing commitment to workforce development and community enrichment helps sustain these critical opportunities for students and graduates with disabilities.
As the cohort progresses through the final weeks of the program toward its early December conclusion, the participants continue to apply the knowledge, skills, and connections gained through their placements and weekly engagements. Their collective journey underscores the vital importance of inclusive employment practices and targeted leadership development in creating a more equitable workforce. Those interested in learning more about the accomplished individuals comprising the 2026 Fall Internship Class, including reading their complete professional biographies and exploring their backgrounds, can find comprehensive information by visiting the official AAPD website.
