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Five Paid Apprenticeships Available for Blind/Low-Vision Individuals

Los Angeles, CA, December 3 – RespectAbility, in partnership with the Fox Family Foundation, is offering 5 paid apprenticeships for dedicated leaders with blindness or low vision. This “earn while you learn” program is for people who are planning to work in careers in public policy, nonprofit management, civic engagement, or other areas that will create a better future for people with blindness, low vision and/or other disabilities.

Apprentices can choose one of five specific tracks. Learn about each of them at the links below:

This program is done virtually and is fully accessible for people with disabilities. It offers full-time job coaching, skills development, networking opportunities and assistive technology.

We are looking for people with a passion to making a difference, and who want to gain skills and contacts that will help them succeed. Apprentices will receive $15/hour. Strong candidates will:

  • Have a passion and history of advocating for the blindness or low vision community.
  • A bachelor’s degree or related experience in political science, government, public policy, nonprofit management, advocacy, communications or other related field.
  • A desire for a career in public policy, nonprofit management, civic engagement, or other areas that will create a better future for people with blindness, low vision and/or other disabilities.

EXPECTATIONS

  • A minimum commitment of 20 hours per week.
  • Participation in regularly scheduled team meetings.
  • Attendance in weekly speaker series.
  • Work with the National Leadership Program Director on advancing your career goals. This will include strengthening your resume, cover letter and building your professional network.

The Spring 2022 Apprenticeship starts on January 18, 2022. The program is entirely virtual and can be done from anywhere in the United States.

Ollie Cantos, Chair of RespectAbility who is blind himself and the father of triplets who are also blind, said, “Those involved with RespectAbility have the unique opportunity, not only to call for change, but to be a part of the very solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives. Self-determination is the key, because problems are best solved by people who experience them firsthand and know both the stakes and the solutions.”

This program is made possible due to a partnership between the Fox Family Foundation and RespectAbility. The current cohort of extremely talented leaders who will complete their training in early 2022 are:

Headshots of 5 current Fox Family Foundation-funded apprentices

Clockwise from top left: Corey Evans, Daniel Martinez, Rostom Dadian, Tammie Stevens, and Roy Payan

With more than 1.7 million people living with low vision in the United States, RespectAbility works to create opportunities so people with disabilities can succeed in their chosen career.

To apply to the “earn while you learn” apprenticeship program, email your resume and cover letter to BenS@RespectAbility.org and fill out our online application. Priority placement is for California residents who have completed their four-year college education or have completed graduate study. However, applicants who are considering moving to California where they can make a positive impact on public policy and/or nonprofit leadership will also be considered.

For more information on the Fox Family Foundation or for press inquiries, please visit www.foxgiving.org or email info@foxgiving.org.

Meet the Author

Ben Spangenberg

Ben Spangenberg is the director of RespectAbility’s National Leadership Program where he recruits and trains talented young leaders for careers in public policy, advocacy and media.

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