Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Internship Program

2005 AAPD
Internship Programs

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Microsoft-AAPD
Federal I.T. Internship Program
Expanding Tomorrow's I.T. Workforce
2005 Summer Information Technology Internships
for College Students with Disabilities

Read the 2005 Summer Federal IT Intern Biographies

2005 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

For the third consecutive summer, Microsoft Corporation and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are proud to offer a summer internship program designed specifically for college and university students with disabilities interested in careers in information technology.
The Microsoft-AAPD Federal Information Technology (I.T.) Internship Program was created in 2003 to provide undergraduate students with disabilities, who have a demonstrated interest in I.T. careers, with the opportunity to participate and benefit from highly sought-after federal internships. The internship is made possible through a generous grant from Microsoft and will be administered by AAPD. In 2005, this internship program will provide ten (10) students with disabilities with the exclusive opportunity to participate in an eleven (11) week I.T. internship at a federal agency in Washington, D.C.
The 2005 Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Internship Program is designed to:

Enable students to gain real-world work experience and further enhance employment opportunities.

Increase students' skills and interest in I.T. careers.

Increase placement in I.T. jobs for interns who complete the program.

Demonstrate to prospective employers that students with disabilities are solid prospects for the I.T. workforce.

Introduce students 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).

“My internship helped me become better centered on the position I want to hold once I become employed. It also reinforced the fact that having a position that I enjoy is very important. I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet a lot of people who could be valuable in furthering my career...The experience was a great opportunity for me to experience what it was like to have a job and live on my own.” – Heather Phagan, 2004 I.T. intern for the Federal Aviation Administration

Here’s how it works:
College or university students with disabilities, currently enrolled in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program, are eligible to apply. The official application can be obtained by visiting the AAPD website at www.aapd-dc.org or calling AAPD at (800) 840-8844 (V/TTY). Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Applications may be submitted either electronically or via U.S. Postal Service, and MUST BE RECEIVED by 5:00p.m. (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, December 15, 2004.

After reviewing all eligible applications, a group of finalists will be asked to participate in phone interviews.

Ten (10) students ultimately selected for the I.T. internships will begin their eleven (11) week internships with an orientation in Washington, D.C. to be held in late May 2005.

Selected participants will receive a $2,500 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.

Academic credit may be arranged; students must initiate this process.

For additional information on the Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Internship Program, please contact AAPD at (800) 840-8844 (V/TTY) or email.

The 2004 Microsoft-AAPD Federal I.T. Interns worked in the following federal agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Federal Highway Administration; U.S. Government Printing Office; U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Federal Emergency Management Agency; Transportation Security Administration; Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Transportation; National Science Foundation; Federal Aviation Administration; Headquarters, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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.

Microsoft Corporation seeks to empower people and communities in realizing their full potential. During the past seven years, Microsoft has donated millions in cash and software to disability organizations and initiatives. Microsoft is proud of the progress these organizations have made in the areas of technology and workforce training, job placement, career development, research, and outreach to empower people with disabilities to realize their full potential by achieving success through employment.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq, "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software anytime, any place, and on any device. For more information, visit the Microsoft website.

"IT CHANGED MY LIFE! By working with Section 508, I found something I was good at and something I enjoyed. I felt I was helping to make a change and I felt empowered. Because of this experience, I'm focusing my career goals to some part of assistive technology." -- David Sylvester, 2003 I.T. Intern for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

AAPD offers year-round internship programs for college students with disabilities in Washington, DC. The interns work in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government to gain real world work experience as well as valuable employment contacts in the federal sector and disability community. Your contribution will allow AAPD to continue offering programs that enhance employment opportunities for students with disabilities.