Internship Location: Madison WI
Organization Type: Local Government
Policy Areas: Disability Rights
During my internship with the Disability Rights and Services Program in Madison, WI, I gained hands on experience in disability policy and advocacy. I worked on writing Administrative Policy Memorandums (APMs), attended city trainings on accessibility and language access, and participated in public engagement efforts for the city’s ADA Transition Plan. One of the most valuable aspects of the internship was getting to connect with professionals across the Civil Rights Department and a disability rights attorney—my future career goal. The skills I’ve learned at La Follette, especially around policy writing, analysis, and communication, were incredibly helpful. Being able to break down complex information into plain language helped ensure our work was accessible and community centered. What surprised me most was how collaborative the process was. Whether drafting policies, gathering public feedback, or reviewing access plans, I saw how crucial it is to listen and work across departments to make meaningful change. I’d absolutely recommend this internship to other students. It gave me practical experience, introduced me to mentors in my field, and made my career path feel more tangible and possible.