Apprenticeship

THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

RespectAbility team members on a Zoom meeting giving a thumbs up and smiling

RespectAbility Apprentices and Staff

The National Leadership Program trains leaders who are committed to disability issues and plan to go into careers in public policy, advocacy, communications, diversity, equity and inclusion, fundraising, nonprofit management or faith-based inclusion. The program enables participants to gain skills and contacts while making a positive difference for people with disabilities.

Learn about our Apprenticeship for Blind and Low-Vision Leaders

We are seeking creative, results-driven individuals who want to achieve breakthrough results while receiving practical experience. The Apprenticeship is for seniors in college and graduate students, as well as graduates and those in the early stages of their careers. It also is for people with disabilities who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic and currently are seeking new opportunities.

The National Leadership Program includes two cohorts of Apprentices – fall and spring. The Spring 2022 Apprenticeship starts on January 18, 2022. The program is entirely virtual and can be done from anywhere in the United States.

Our National Leadership Program enables talented people with disabilities and allies to gain critical skills, contacts and experiences necessary to be accepted into graduate school or help create pathways that lead to careers in public policy, the entertainment and news media, philanthropy, nonprofit management, diversity, equity and inclusion or advocacy. This program is fully accessible for people with disabilities and offers full-time in-house job coaching, skills development, networking opportunities, assistive technology and personal care support. People with and without disabilities are encouraged to apply, but applicants must have a strong commitment to fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities for people with disabilities. Apprentices receive a $300/month honorarium plus training, mentoring and support in their job search. A limited number of paid Apprentices will receive $15/hr.

RespectAbility is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action employer. Persons with disabilities and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

ALL APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES

LEARN MORE

Four young professionals who are National Leadership Program participants - a white woman, a Black man, a Black woman and a white man - dressed professionally in suits standing in front of the fence in front of the White House

National Leadership Program participants standing in front of the White House

IMPORTANT DETAILS FOR APPLICANTS

Excellent communication and organizational skills are strongly preferred, and Apprentices should exhibit leadership skills to complete their own projects.
Strong preference for college seniors and above.
Commitment for a minimum of nine weeks.
Hours are 9-5. Apprentices are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week though more is appreciated and more hours per week is preferred.
There is no tuition cost to do the Apprentices, and stipend Apprentices will be awarded $300 a month. A limited number of paid Apprentices will receive $15/hr.
Your cover letter must explain why this Apprenticeship in particular is of interest to you and why you believe you have the skills, focus and independent drive to make a positive difference in your time with us at RespectAbility.

EXPECTATIONS

A minimum commitment of 20 hours per week.
Participation in staff meetings and 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Fill out the form below and send your resume and cover letter to Ben Spangenberg at BenS@RespectAbility.org to apply for any of our National Leadership Program opportunities!

First Name* (required)

Last Name* (required)

Email* (required)

Phone* (required)

Address

Address Line 2

City

State

Zipcode

Please rank which departments you are most interested in from 1 through 7.
Your choices:
Public Policy / Employment
Communications
Entertainment and News Media
Nonprofit Management
Philanthropy
Civic Engagement/Coalition Building
Faith Inclusion

Please explain in 300 words or less how this Apprenticeship will help you achieve your career goals. Include where you see yourself in 5 and 10 years.

Please explain in 300 words or less what motivates you to be involved in disability issues.

Please explain in 300 words or less how you will organize your assignments while working remotely.

RespectAbility staff, fellows and board member smiling in a posed photograph. Three men and four women standing behind three men in wheelchairs. All are dressed formally in suits.

RespectAbility Staff and Apprentices with Board Member Jonathan Murray, creator and executive producer of Born This Way

RespectAbility provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, RespectAbility complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.