SpedPro A source for current professional information about special education

Scholarship opportunity

Scholarship Program for College Students with Disabilities

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is pleased to announce it will continue to help increase employment for students with disabilities through an academic internship program. Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy, The Washington Center is working to help students develop leadership skills and gain valuable work experience in public service. The Washington Center will complement students' professional experience with solid academic training for credit from highly qualified instructors. In addition, students will be exposed to community, national and international leaders through workshops, seminars, lectures, embassy visits and networking events held throughout the course of each semester. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) will offer technical guidance and support to the program.

The Washington Center is able to provide a total of 50 competitive scholarship awards in the amount of $8,500 for each eligible student with disabilities interested in working in the executive, judicial or legislative branches of the federal government during the fall 2006 and spring 2007 semesters (scholarships are not available in the summer).

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Applicants Must:
* Be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university
* Be at least a second semester sophomore at the time of the internship
* Have at least a 2.75 GPA
* Show proof that they will receive academic credit for the internship
* Be a U.S. Citizen
* Self-identify as a person with a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA defines a person with a disability as:
- a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, OR
- a person that has a record of such impairment, OR
- a person that is regarded as having such impairment

Application Materials Include:
* Official transcript
* Two letters of recommendation
* A letter from your campus disability services office, a vocational rehabilitation office OR a physician treating you for your disability confirming the fact that you have a disability.
* Resume
* Two writing samples
* Completed application form
* Campus sponsorship agreement (students must receive academic credit for the experience)
* Application fee of $60.00

Applications are available at:
www.twc.edu/students/how_to_apply.shtml. Please contact The Washington Center if you require the application in an alternate format. The application for the scholarship is the same as the regular application.

IMPORTANT DATES
Spring 2007 Internship Program
* Application due date: November 15, 2006
* Spring semester begins: January 18, 2007
* Spring semester ends: May 5, 2007

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
All students will be placed in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of government.

Sample placements include:
* U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
* U.S. Department of Homeland Security
* U.S. Department of Treasury
* U.S. Department of Labor
* U.S. Department of Agriculture
* U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
* General Services Administration
* Office of Personal Management
* U.S. Department of Defense
* U.S. Department of Commerce
* U.S. Department of Justice
* U.S. Department of Education
* Small Business Administration
* Congressional Members Offices (House & Senate)

ALL MAJORS SOUGHT

WHAT DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP COVER?
The total scholarship award is $8,500 that would go toward covering TWC's total program and housing fees. This money can be combined with state scholarship awards available through The Washington Center, which range from $1,800 to $4,000 per student. Eligible students would be able to combine these awards and have a remaining amount to cover additional living expenses. Please visit www.twc.edu/disability_services.shtml for more information.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Workplace
The Washington Center will work with the government agencies hosting the interns to ensure reasonable accommodations are provided to students who may need them to successfully complete their job duties.

Student Housing
The Washington Center provides all students accessible housing during their participation in the program in Washington, D.C. The Washington Center will work with students on a case-by-case basis to ensure accommodations are met. Our housing facilities offer shared facilities in apartment buildings in Northern Virginia and Maryland. They are located in well-lit, high traffic areas that provide secure and comfortable surroundings. The apartments are fully furnished, and provide local telephone and basic cable service, 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities.

Academic Training
The Washington Center will work closely with students with disabilities to assess and provide accommodations (physical and programmatic) for students to complete the academic requirements of the program.

Local Transportation
The Washington Center housing facilities are within close proximity to the subway system. The Washington Center will work with each student on a case-by-case basis to provide an orientation to and information on how to utilize public transportation to arrive at their place of employment and all Washington Center functions in a timely manner. The Washington Center will provide mobility training when and if necessary. In addition, The Washington Center will conduct an orientation to answer questions about transportation, general accessibility issues, accommodations and internship sites.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
* Participation in the Washington Forum (Presidential Lecture Series, Congressional Breakfast Series, Embassy Visit Program, Small Group Activities)
* Enrollment in an academic course provided by The Washington Center (there are over 20 courses to select from)
* Completion of a portfolio that documents student's internship experience and reactions to the Washington Forum sessions
* Approval to receive academic credit for the program from student's home institution

For more information contact:
* Ms. Roshni D. Lal, The Washington Center for Internships & Academic Seminars.
* Phone: 202-336-7567, or email: roshniL /at/ twc.edu.
* You can also visit us on the web at www.twc.edu.