Student Disability Services and the ‘Life Design Lab’ are partnering to provide innovative resources and professional opportunities for students with disabilities. Updates will occur throughout the semester to include: workshops, career opportunities, fellowships, internships and events.
Career Opportunities
- Handshake has resources for students with disabilities. Set up a meeting with a ‘Life Design Educator’ for more information on how to navigate the site. For more information and instructions: Handshake Use Instructions
- Lime Connect is a global 501(c)(3) not for profit that’s rebranding disability through achievement. Through our private online community, we connect high-achieving students and professionals with disabilities – members of our Lime Network – to our broader network of corporate and university partners.
Fellowships | Internships | Events
- JHU ‘Future Fest Career Fair’ (September 8 – 22nd, 2023) Find Information here: Future Fest – Career Fair
- Undergraduates! Apply for a Summer Internship with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) More information can be found at the: AAPD Internship Program page
- Apply for the Disability Rights Storytellers Fellowship. Managed by Rooted in Rights and AAPD; This fellowship provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to learn and apply skills in digital media to prepare participants for advanced careers in media production, journalism, online advocacy, or digital design.
- Apply for the National Leadership Fellowship program at RespectAbility. RespectAbility is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for disability rights. Annually, three rounds of interns are hosted to get experience in public policy, communication, and fundraising.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a recruitment and referral-based database that connects college students and recent graduates with federal government and private sector employers – for access to summer or permanent jobs; through the Schedule-A Letter process. The WRP 2024 flyer provides more information.
Annual Important Dates for WRP:
- August 26, 2024 – Student and recent graduate registration opens
- September 5 & 10, 2024 – SDS WRP Information Webinars
- October 15, 2024 – Student and recent graduate registration closes
- October 17, 2024 – Student and recent graduate deadline to request WRP interview accommodations through your JHU SDS Advisors
- October 28 – November 20, 2024– Scheduling and informational interview period
- December 16, 2024 (tentative) – WRP applications are made available to federal employers for one year
Apply for Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
Chat with an Expert
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) has just launched a chatbot named Cathy on WRP.gov!
The WRP Chatbot icon will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen on WRP’s public-facing webpages, whether you are logged in or out. Click or select the icon to open it. You can maximize, minimize or close out of the chatbot at any time. If you’re looking to link students to the chatbot, this will take them to the WRP homepage with the chatbot open: WRP Chatbot (exact link is: https://www.wrp.gov/wrp?id=wrp_home&chatOpen=true).
The chatbot can be extremely helpful to those looking for information on commonly asked questions, such as:
- Am I eligible to participate in WRP?
- When is the WRP application deadline?
- How do I upload or edit my documents?
- What is the Schedule A Hiring Authority?
- What is a Schedule A letter?
- How do School Coordinators register a new WRP Coordinator?
Please keep in mind that the chatbot is new and is following a script developed by WRP staff. Coordinators and students can either select prompts that best fit their question or type in what they are looking for and the chatbot will do its best to provide the correct response. As is noted in the chatbot disclaimer, individuals should not enter any personal identifiable information (PII) or other sensitive data into the chatbot. If the question is more specific or is not covered in the FAQs, Cathy always provides a Contact Us option that will direct the individual to email WRP staff at [email protected]. We also welcome feedback or suggestions for improving the chatbot.
As always, WRP staff are available to respond to inquiries sent to [email protected]. We particularly prioritize responding to our School Coordinators and federal employees but also do our best to address relevant student and recent graduate questions.
We hope you and your students will find Cathy to be a helpful additional resource when navigating WRP this fall!
Who Can Participate?
Students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eligible by the Schedule A hiring authority.
To be eligible under Schedule A, you must be able to provide the required supporting documentation (Schedule A Letter). This letter must indicate that you have an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability. The letter must come from one of the following officials:
- A licensed medical professional;
- A licensed rehabilitation professional; or
- Any federal or state agency that issues or provides disability benefits.
- This letter does NOT need to detail your specific disability, medical history, or need for accommodations.
Learn more: Schedule A Hiring Authority | How to Obtain a Schedule A Letter
Current Full-Time, degree seeking Students and recent graduates with disabilities may visit WRP.gov to apply.
Students must register and complete a new application each year to continue to be a part of the program.
If you are taking a reduced course load due to a disability, or are in your last term/semester, you can also apply. Recent graduates must have graduated with a degree on or after April of the current application period year.
Contact your SDS Advisors with questions about the registration/application process.
Accommodations in the Workplace
Contact the Job Accommodation Network for information and assistance.