Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation–AAPD Congressional Internship Program
2005 Summer Congressional Internships for College Students with Disabilities
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Information and Application: MS Word Format, Text Format.2005 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are proud to offer, for the fourth consecutive summer, a congressional internship program for undergraduate students with disabilities.
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation–AAPD Congressional Internship Program was created in 2002 to provide an opportunity for students with disabilities to work on Capitol Hill for eight (8) weeks and acquire valuable work experience that will enrich their academic studies. As congressional interns, participants gain insight into congressional office operations, public policy development, and constituents’ roles in the legislative and political processes. The internship program, administered by AAPD, was created in 2002 through a major grant from Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation.
In summer 2004, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD congressional interns worked in the offices of the following Members of Congress: Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS); Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN); Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH); Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA); Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA); House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO); Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL); House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD); Congressman Major Owens (D-NY); Congressman Bernard Sanders (I-VT); and Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
The 2005 Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD Congressional Internship Program is designed to:
- Allow students with disabilities to obtain first-hand knowledge of the legislative and political processes by working in congressional offices.
- Enable students with disabilities to acquire valuable work experience that will enhance their academic studies and career prospects.
- Demonstrate to Members of Congress, their staff, and fellow interns the talents that students with disabilities can bring to a professional work environment.
- Introduce students to members of the Washington disability policy community and to national disability leaders through a series of seminars and special events such as the anniversary observance of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“The best parts of my internship were working with such wonderful people, attending briefings on topics that interested me, and really feeling that my work, which I put so much effort into doing, was helpful for the staff in my office.” – Leanne Handelsman, 2004 congressional intern for Representative Major Owens
Here's how it works:
Undergraduate students studying at a college or university who, at the time of application, are first semester sophomores through second semester juniors are eligible to complete an official application. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.Applications can be obtained by visiting the AAPD website at www.aapd-dc.org or calling AAPD at (800) 840-8844 (V/TTY). Applications may be submitted electronically or via U.S. Postal Service, and must be received by 5:00pm (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004.
- After reviewing all eligible applications, a group of finalists will be asked to participate in phone interviews.
- Eight (8) students ultimately selected for the congressional internship will begin their 8-week internships with an orientation in Washington, D.C. to be held in late May 2005.
- Selected participants will receive a $1,500 stipend to be disbursed in three installments throughout the internship period.
- Transportation expenses to and from Washington, D.C. will be reimbursed by AAPD.
- Accessible housing will also be provided, free-of-charge, to each intern.
- Students will work with congressional staff members to select a significant policy issue.
- Academic credit may be arranged; students must initiate this process.
For additional information on the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD Congressional Internship Program, please contact AAPD at (800) 840-8844 (V/TTY) or email.
PROGRAM SPONSORS
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a national membership organization dedicated to promoting the economic and political empowerment of all people with disabilities; educating businesses and the general public about disability issues; and providing membership benefits, such as financial services and product discounts. AAPD was founded in 1995 by a group of cross-disability leaders to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their families, friends, and supporters.
AAPD was founded to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. For more information on AAPD, visit the AAPD website.
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) is the founding sponsor of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD Congressional Internship Program. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation was established in February 1991 by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation of Japan and the Mitsubishi Electric U.S. companies which produce, sell, and distribute a wide range of consumer, industrial, commercial and professional electronics products. With a current endowment of $19 million, the Foundation has contributed nearly $5 million to organizations assisting young Americans with disabilities to lead fuller and more productive lives. For more information visit Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation website.
“Interning in the Senate was definitely one of the best experiences of my life... I’ve been active in the blind community for a long time, but this summer I learned that people with all types of disabilities share a common experience and we’re all in this together.” – Stacy Cervenka, 2004 congressional intern for Senator Sam Brownback
2005 Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation – AAPD CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION
Deadline: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 (5:00pm, Eastern)
**NOTE: Please ensure that each page of your application contains your full name, phone/TTY number, and/or e-mail address.
SECTION 1: RESUME (not to exceed 2 pages)
A. RESUME: include the following
- full name
- permanent address, phone and/or TTY number, e-mail address
- campus address, phone and/or TTY number, e-mail address
- G.P.A. both cumulative and in major
- number of completed semesters & number of credits needed to graduate
- expected graduation date
- other colleges/universities previously attended & dates of attendance
- organizations or clubs of which you have been a member in the past five (5) years (include titles & dates of any offices held)
- previous work experience (including other internships); dates of employment; nature of the work
- awards and/or honors you received
- community service, teaching, or other civic activities
- job skills that would help you perform the functions of the internship
SECTION 2: SHORT ANSWERS AND ESSAYS
A. List and briefly describe any work/life experiences (including other internships) that helped to develop your job skills and personal character. (250 words or less)
B. 1. Why do you want to be considered for this internship? (250 words or less)
2. What do you see as the most significant disability policy issue facing college students with disabilities, and what ideas do you have for congressional actions that can be taken to address that issue? (500 words or less)
SECTION 3: REFERENCES
A. Please provide us with the contact information for two (2) references who are familiar with your qualifications and personal character. Please provide: full name, professional affiliation, mailing address, phone number and/or TTY number, e-mail address.
B. Submit a letter of recommendation from one (1) of the above-mentioned references. (500 words or less)
SECTION 4: OPTIONAL
A. In order for us to continue to improve our outreach and dissemination, please let us know how you heard about this program and/or received the application:
B. To ensure a diverse group of participants, please tell us your:
- Type of disability:
- Age:
- Gender:
- Ethnic Group:
SUBMISSION:ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS:
Completed applications and recommendation letters sent via e-mail should be addressed to: Congressional Internship ProgramSUBMISSIONS BY MAIL:
Completed applications and recommendation letters sent via U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to:Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation-AAPD
Congressional Internship Program
1629 K Street, NW, Suite 503
Washington, D.C. 20006FAXED applications will NOT be accepted.
DEADLINE: Applications sent via email or by U.S. Postal Service MUST BE
RECEIVED BY 5:00p.m. (Eastern Time) on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2004.Member Benefits | About AAPD | Join | Disability Resources | News | Contact Us | Calendar | Home