Resources for Students with Disabilities Toolkit

University of Michigan/UCC Resources

The internship and job search process can be overwhelming for any student. The University Career Center is committed to supporting students with both apparent and non-apparent disabilities throughout their career exploration and preparation process.

How to Schedule an Appointment

There are many important things to consider when approaching the internship or job search and when applying to graduate programs. Many students may experience questions dealing with the following:

What laws apply to me?

• What are my rights when seeking employment.
• What are my rights under the ADA?
• What is "reasonable accommodation"?

Here at The University Career Center, we can help you navigate your job and internship search while offering support to find answers to your questions. Schedule an appointment online to meet with a career coach, or look at our additional resources for more information. Also, please be sure to check Handshake for upcoming events. We partner with Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) to host events that address the unique concerns and questions that students with disabilities have.

What is the University Career Center - Newsletter for Students with Disabilities? 

Your resource as a student with a disability to learn about tools developed for you to succeed and feel comfortable and confident going through the career search process as well as information about workshops or sessions. 

Why Join?

• Exclusive email alerts on upcoming events, programs, Immersions, Career Crawls, & more.
• Targeted information & resources.
• Targeted job & internship postings.
• Tailored career coaching & expertise.

How to Join this newsletter?

• Complete this short form: https://umcareer.center/SSDNews

Table of Contents:

• JOB AND INTERNSHIP SEARCH RESOURCES
• EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
• PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND NETWORKING GROUPS
• RESOURCES FOR PRE-HEALTH STUDENTS

University of Michigan/UCC Resources

• Handshake: A pathway to career connections. Through this tool you can: Explore job and internship openings, engage in recruiting activities with employers, and develop and track your goals and next steps. You can also identify University Career Center events, workshops, and fairs and schedule an appointment with a UCC coach to discuss your ideas, and develop plans, and strategies related to graduate/professional schools, and employment.

Additional External Resources

• Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP): WRP connects disabled undergraduate, graduate students and recent graduates to paid internships and full-time opportunities with private sector employers and federal agencies.
• The Fehribach Center Internship Program for Students with Physical Disabilities: The Gregory S. Fehribach Center offers eight-week internships each summer. A small number are also offered in the spring and fall. These are paid, full-time internships in fields related to the student’s major, with housing and transportation assistance offered when needed. Interns are matched with programs and departments that align with their academic pursuits, interests and/or career goals. Weekly professional development workshops have included topics such as interviewing skills, disclosure and self-advocacy, leadership skills and opportunities, personal finance, professional etiquette, and strategies for advancement in the workplace. 
  • Interns are placed in either a wide range of departments within Eskenazi Health or with our growing number of partner employers. In each case, the placement directly aligns with that intern’s career goals. Examples of the diverse range of internship areas include: Healthcare/nursing, Information technology, Public affairs/communications, Engineering, Diversity and inclusion, Supply chain management, Social work, Biomedical engineering, Research, Human resources, Accounting/finance, Education, & Project management
• Bender Consulting: This organization assists individuals with disabilities with recruitment and hiring for opportunities in the private and public sector.
• Lime Connect: This organization provides students with information on scholarships, professional development webinars and internships and full-time job opportunities.
• Entry Point: Entry Point is a program sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science that offers internship opportunities for students with disabilities. Available internships range from those in Computer Science to Business, Science and Engineering.
• disabled person, Inc.: This resource offers job listings and scholarship information.
• Autism Alliance of Michigan: Upbound at Work, a subsidiary of the Autism Alliance of Michigan, partners with a variety of employers – from international companies to family-run businesses – to connect individuals with disabilities to employment opportunities.  Individuals that have experiences with partner employers are supported by on-the-job coaching, benefits packages, and an intentionally inclusive company culture. On-line applications to Upbound at Work are available to interested students and graduates.
• Emerging Leaders Summer Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities: This program provides students with internship and leadership development opportunities.
• The American Association of People with Disabilities: This organization provides a Congressional Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities. The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to recent graduates.

****U.S. Job Search in the Coronavirus Era****

• "Maintaining Access to Opportunity," which is the work of many disability service providers across the country

Job Accommodation Network: JAN provides information on job accommodations and additional resources.

Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities: This resource helps navigate the path to employment for persons with disabilities, and offers information on evaluating employers' standards of accessibility, accommodation, and acceptance when assessing if opportunities are a career fit.

Disability Equality Index 2024 Report: The most comprehensive benchmarking tool for disability inclusion in business. 

By tapping resources to meet people who can share advice, you learn and develop your personal networks.

University of Michigan/UCC Resources

• ​UCAN: UCAN is a U of M resource that allows students to connect with university alumni across any broad spectrum of fields, or majors, to gain insight or advice on resumes, interviewing tips, personal statement advice, and so much more that are part of the Disability Community. When exploring Alumni in the search bar type in people with disabilities and you will see all the alumni that have self-identified. These Alumni are willingly donating their time on this platform to help students any way they can with guiding their future steps beyond college. 

Additional External Resources

• American Foundation for the Blind: AFB provides a list of visually impaired and blind mentors to enable students to connect with individuas in their careers of interests. Students can also explore career areas through this site and find tips on job searching.
• Disability:In: Provides information on how organizations promote and recognize best practices when hiring and marketing to individuals with disabilities. 
• Resources for Pre-Health Students-Disabilities in the Health Professions: These resources are designed to assist students with disabilities seeking admission to health professions programs.
• Resources for Pre-Law Applicants with Disabilities:  Learn about LSAT accommodations and see a list of relevant miscellaneous resources, including the new Law School Disability Programs Directory.