Internship Description and Qualifications


The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) is an independent state agency committed to advocating for the rights and inclusion of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

The Wisconsin Disability Policy Internship Program is a 6- month, part-time (24 hours a week) paid program designed to provide a career building opportunity in disability policy. The project is funded through a grant from the Inclusa Foundation. Interns will earn $20 an hour and will work within key Wisconsin policy divisions, state agency offices, or disability organizations.

The internship focuses on understanding how laws are developed, how program policies are created, and how public policy impacts people’s lives. The focus is on policies affecting people with disabilities using the long-term care system in Wisconsin. This program is a public policy career advancement program for advocates who want to build a pathway into policy career.

BPDD is committed to encouraging a wide group of applicants to participate in the Wisconsin Disability Public Policy Internship Program. If you need any accommodations to complete your application or to participate in the internship, please let us know. We are here to provide the support you need to succeed.

Required to Apply
  • Identify as a person with a developmental disability or a family member of a person with a developmental disability.
  • Must live in Wisconsin
  • Demonstrated interest in disability advocacy and policy.
  • Good communication skills and ability to work as a team and get along with others.
  • Basic knowledge or interest in state or local level advocacy related to disability, long-term care, employment, education, or community organizing.
  • Be able to commit to 24 hours a week during regular business hours (Monday-Friday between 9-5) from January 2026 through June 2026.
Preferred To Apply
  • Experience (paid or volunteer) working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Experience (paid or volunteer) with state and/or federal level advocacy.
  • Basic understanding of Wisconsin’s long-term care systems and disability services systems.

What are the activities of the Internship?
  • Participate in orientation and public policy training.
  • Engage in legislative and state programs to identify, develop, and advocate for disability-related policies.
  • Build relationships with policymakers, state agencies, and advocacy organizations.
  • Attend events, workshops, and networking opportunities inside and outside the agency.
  • Receive coaching and mentoring from experienced disability policy professionals
Where are the possible placements?
  • Department of Health Services
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Department of Public Instruction
  • Department of Transportation
  • Legislator Offices
  • Advocacy Organizations
What is the payment structure?
  • Hourly Stipend $20 an hour/24 hours a week
  • Travel Reimbursement
  • Grant Contract with BPDD
  • No health insurance is offered with this program

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* 1. Personal Information

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* 2. Which one of these do you identify as:

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* 3. Resume

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* 4. Please provide 2 professional references

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* 5. Please answer the following 3 questions:


What interests you about disability policy and why do you want to participate in this internship?

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* 6. Describe any experience (Paid or Volunteer experience) you have with disability policy or advocacy.

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* 7. What skills or knowledge do you hope to gain from this internship?

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* 8. If you are a person with a disability using public benefits, BPDD recommends that you participate in Work Incentive Benefits Counseling BEFORE the internship start date to learn how the stipend might impact your benefits.

Work incentives benefit specialists offer support to people with disabilities by helping them make informed decisions about employment. They help people understand how they could benefit from working and explain special rules about returning to work. They also help people understand how their work and earnings can affect their disability benefits.

More information and where to find a work incentives benefit specialist can be found on the DHS Website at Benefit Counseling: Work Incentives Benefit Specialists | Wisconsin Department of Health Services

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* 9. I agree I will be able and ready to take an internship if offered to me by January 15th, 2026.

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