Fellowship

The National Leadership Program

Zoom screenshot of Disability Belongs staff with Fall 2024 Fellows on their first day of the program Disability Belongs™ Staff and Fall 2024 Fellows

The National Leadership Program trains leaders who are committed to disability issues and plan to go into careers in public policy, advocacy, communications, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging, 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.

We are seeking creative, results-driven individuals who want to achieve breakthrough results while receiving practical experience. The Fellowship is for juniors and seniors in college, graduate students, as well as graduates and those seeking new opportunities in the field of disability advocacy and inclusion.

The National Leadership Program includes two cohorts of Fellows – fall (from August to December) and spring (January to June). The program is entirely virtual, and Fellows can participate 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, entertainment and news media, philanthropy, nonprofit management, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging, or advocacy.

This program is fully accessible for people with disabilities and offers full-time in-house job coaching, skills development, networking opportunities, and assistive technology as needed. 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. All Fellows receive $20/hr, plus training, mentoring, and support in their job search.

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

What Is It?

5-month, fully remote training program for leaders committed to creating systemic change for people with disabilities
Participants apply to specific Disability Belongs™ departments with the opportunity to collaborate with others
Fellows will build professional skills, network, participate in a diverse speaker series, work with a professional writing coach, as well as access 1:1 career planning support

Who Is It For?

Leaders pursuing careers in public policy, advocacy, communications, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging, fundraising, nonprofit management, or faith-based inclusion
College or graduate students
Individuals entering the workforce for the first time
Individuals re-entering the workforce
Individuals seeking new career opportunities

What Are The Details?

Core working hours are 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET
Fellows are asked to work at least 15 hours per week
Fellows cannot work more than 20 hours per week
Fellows will be paid $20.00/hr

Applications for Fall 2025 will open April 7th.

The priority deadline will be April 25th, and applications will close on May 15th.

Disability Belongs™ 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, Disability Belongs™ 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.

All Fellowship Opportunities

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Meet Our Current Fellows

Leadership jobs

Fellowship, the National Leadership Program - applications open April 7!