disABILITY LINK/AAPD Summer Internship Program
Every year, the American Association of People with Disabilities provides an internship opportunity to a college student or recent graduate with a disability. Since 2002, the AAPD Summer Internship Program has developed the next generation of leaders with disabilities and offered host employers access to a talented, diverse workforce. Each summer, 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. This year, disABILITY LINK is partnering with AAPD for the fourth time to bring the internship program outside of D.C. and expand into Atlanta.
More information about AAPD Summer Internship Program
Meet our summer interns:
Julio (James) Hernandez is a rising sophomore at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is 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 is a recent graduate of Kennesaw state University. She majored in psychology while also obtaining a minor in
Medical Sociology.
Nakia plans to attend graduate school to earn her PsyD. Her future goals involve practicing clinical psychology, starting a non profit organization for those in need of mental health services.
Nakia is currently interning at Side By Side which is 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.
disabled community.
Hello, my name is Mariya Vasileva, and I’m originally from Bulgaria. I currently intern at statewide independent living counsel for this AAPD program. My goals for this internship include gaining good work experience for post-graduation after college, and I want to start off working for an organization like this as a good entry level position.
Host sites & Peer mentors:
James Hernandez
Host Site: Georgia Council for Developmental Disabilities (GCDD), Dr. Kate Brady
External Mentor: Dr. Yvette Pegues, Invisible DisABILITY
Internal Mentor: Felix Eziakor, disABILITY LINK
Nikia Kidd
Host Site: Side-by-Side, Cindi Johnson
External Mentor: Charlie Miller, GCDD
Internal Mentor: Shikha Desai, disABILITY LINK
Mariya Vasileva
Host Site: SILC, Shelly Simmons
External Mentor: Lisa Parks, Business Counsultant/Freelance
Internal Mentor: Angela Williams, disABILITY LINK
Derec Mackiewicz
Host Site: Cobb Collaborative, Irene Barton
External Mentor: Dr. Patricia Nobbie, Anthem
Internal Mentor: Latoya Lawrence, disABILITY LINK