Illinois Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities
Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities
Rocco J. Claps, Co-Director
Carol L. Adams, Ph.D., Co-Director
Program Background
The State of Illinois is strongly committed to
promoting diversity in state government The Interagency Committee on Employees
with Disabilities (ICED) Internship Program for College Students with
Disabilities was designed to assist the state in recruiting people with
disabilities, who have historically faced barriers in obtaining employment. The
unemployment rate of people with disabilities is many times higher than that of
other people. College students with disabilities have a particularly difficult
time in securing employment. The ICED Internship Program will help college
students with disabilities make the transition from school to work.
The Internship Program was established as a trial project in 2000 involving agencies associated with the Committee and expanded in 2001 to include additional agencies. In 2002 unpaid internships were added to the program.
Objectives
The following objectives have been established for the Illinois Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities' Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities:
Provide employment opportunities to qualified college students with
disabilities
Diversify state government's workplace.
Demonstrate the abilities of employees with disabilities
Further affirmative action objectives
Provide a transition for college students with disabilities into the workplace
Nature of the Program
Placements will be made in professional or technical positions. Most interns will be placed in positions in agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor, with the remainder in the offices of the other constitutional officers. The majority of the placements will be made in Springfield and Chicago. Interns are available for placements at anytime during the year, based on agency needs; however, most placements are made in the summer.
The eligibility requirements of this program are:
1) enrollment in or recent graduate of an institution of higher learning; and
2) participation in a rehabilitation program. There are no preferences to
specific undergraduate or graduate fields or majors. The match between intern
and agency will be based on the agency's needs.
Recruitment and initial screening of interns will be conducted by rehabilitation agencies. Candidates for internships in agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor must complete the DCMS-100 application form. Separate application forms may be necessary for jobs in the offices of the other constitutional officers. A list with brief biographical information of all candidates for internship positions will be prepared and distributed to all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor and other constitutional officers. Agencies seeking further information about candidates can get in touch with ICED and the rehabilitation agency that referred the candidate. Agencies will conduct interviews with internship candidates and make their own selection decisions.
Interns are classified as student workers and are only entitled to compensation. They are not eligible for benefits such as paid holidays, sick and vacation days, or health and life insurance. Compensation will be provided by the employing agency. In some cases non-paid internships will be provided.
For Further Details or Information Contact:
Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities
c/o Illinois Department of Human Services
100 W. Randolph, Suite 5-300 Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 814-5081 (Voice)
(312) 814-5849 (Fax)
888440-8995 (NextTalk)
Marva.Campbell-Pruitt@llIinois.gov
Illinois Committee on Employees with Disabilities (ICED)
2007 Internship Program
Who: You are invited to apply if you meet the following criteria:
(1) Enrollment in, or recent graduate of an institution of higher learning; and
(2) Participation in a rehabilitation program
What: ICED Internship Program
When: Monday through Friday, for nine - twelve weeks at a sponsoring agency.
Scheduled work hours will conform to the assigned sponsor's schedule.
Where: Placements will be made in professional technical or clerical positions. Most
interns will be placed in positions in agencies under the jurisdiction of the
Governor, with the remainder in the offices of other constitutional officers.
Why: The unemployment rate of people with disabilities is many times higher than
that of other people. College students with disabilities have a particularly
difficult time in securing employment. The ICED Internship Program will help
college students with disabilities make the transition from school to work
Program Summary
The State of Illinois is strongly committed to promoting diversity in state government. The Interagency Committee on Employees with Disabilities (ICED) Internship Program for College Students with disabilities was designed to assist the state in recruiting people with disabilities, who have historically faced barriers in obtaining employment
How to Apply
Complete the CMS 100 application along with a 1 to 1-1/2-page resume, and a referral from a DRS Counselor. Forward application packet to:
Edna
Lee, OHS-ORS, 100 West Randolph, 5-300, Chicago, IL 60601 or
Liz Kaige, Anixter Center, 2001 North Clybourn Avenue, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60614
Interns are classified as student workers and are
only entitled to compensation. They are not eligible for benefits such as paid
holidays, sick and vacation days, or health and life insurance. Compensation
will be provided by the employing agency. In some cases non-paid internships
will be provided.