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AHRC New York City

Advocating for people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities to lead full and equitable lives.

Creating inclusive internship opportunities for people with disabilities in a variety of New York City agencies.

Available to people ages 18 and older
Must be a person with a disability
Must have an open case with ACCES-VR or NYSCB

The Partnership for Inclusive Internships (PII) is a public-private partnership developed by AHRC New York City to foster diversity and inclusive hiring within New York City and State government through an inclusive internship program.

The Partnership for Inclusive Internships Program works with the New York State Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Service – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) and New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) to provide internships or community work experiences for people with disabilities.


The PII Program facilitates internships in the following fields:

  • Data entry and analysis
  • Clerical aide
  • Accounting
  • Architecture
  • Human services
  • IT
  • Research
  • Public policy

The PII program partners with a wide variety of City, State and Federal Agencies. Some of our participating agencies include the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS), the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), the NYS Department of Health (DOH) and the United States District Court, Southern District of New York.


The PII Program provides individualized support for each intern

An intern admires New York City as he views it from a high rise office window

Interns receive 1:1 check-ins with a PII Program Coordinator and have access to PII work readiness groups. The PII program also facilitates events where interns can receive resources, make networking connections, and meet other program participants. Topics for these programs include financial literacy, executive functioning skills, mock-interview training, soft skills training, and Civil Service 101 courses.


Available Internships

Explore our current internship opportunities:

Case Management Intern, NYC Department of Social Services

Internship Title: Case Management Intern
Agency:
NYC Department of Social Services
Division/Department:
CAS Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS)
Location: 4 WTC, 150 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007
ID # 25


Program Description

Customized Assistance Services provides clinically oriented services to HRA clients with medical, mental health and substance abuse issues. Its programs provide comprehensive and individualized services that assist clients to achieve their maximum degree of self-reliance. CAS services include psychiatric, medical, and vocational rehabilitation evaluations, housing eligibility services, crisis intervention, case management and assistance in obtaining benefits including Federal disability.

Intern Responsibilities

  1. Assist with tracking and monitoring client progress and service engagement to ensure coordination between WeCARE and DHS support teams.
  2. Develop experience in case management support within a large public agency.
  3. Enhance organizational, problem-solving, and administrative skills in a human services setting.

Required Skills

  1. Basic knowledge of case management principles and practices.
  2. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with diverse populations.
  3. Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
  4. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and basic data entry systems.

Technology Requirements

Knowledge of MS Office

Travel Requirements

This is an on-site internship. Travel to the internship location is required.

Days/Hours Per Week

20 hours per week

Length of Internship

3-5 months depending on # of hours worked per week

NYC: ATWORK Fellow, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities

Internship Title: NYC: ATWORK Fellow
Agency:
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Division/Department:
NYC: ATWORK
Location: 80 Maiden Lane, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10038
ID # 21


Program Description

NYC: ATWORK is an employment program that recruits, pre-screens, and connects New Yorkers with disabilities to jobs and internships with established business partners in both the public and private sectors.

The Office Intern is a temporary, entry-level position that provides valuable support and assistance to the NYC: ATWORK mission. This role is designed to offer a learning experience for individuals seeking to gain practical exposure to the workings of an office environment in city government. As an Office Intern, you will be involved in a wide range of administrative tasks and contribute to the smooth functioning of the office.

Intern Responsibilities

  1. Assist with day-to-day administrative tasks, data entry, photocopying, scanning, and organizing documents.
  2. Answer incoming calls, direct them to the appropriate personnel, and assist in responding to routine email inquiries.
  3. Assist in updating and maintaining databases, spreadsheets, digital filing, and other records as required.
  4. Participate in special outreach projects or initiatives involving research, data analysis, and presentation preparation.
  5. Support staff members by tabling events and transporting outreach materials from the office to event sites as necessary.
  6. Collaborate with other interns, employees, and supervisors to achieve departmental and organizational goals.

Required Skills

  1. A high school diploma or equivalent is required; a bachelor’s degree is
    preferred. Applicants interested in public administration, human/social
    services, business administration, marketing, and disability studies are
    encouraged to apply.
  2. Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for effective
    interaction with team members and visitors; customer service experience is
    preferred.
  3. Handle sensitive information with discretion, maintaining confidentiality at all
    times.
  4. Demonstrated ability to pay close attention to details, ensuring accuracy in
    data entry and other administrative tasks.
  5. Willingness to adapt to a dynamic office environment and handle unexpected
    tasks or challenges with a positive attitude.
  6. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other
    relevant software is advantageous.
  7. Maintain a professional demeanor and appearance, adhering to the
    organization’s policies and code of conduct.
  8. Exhibit reliability and punctuality in meeting assigned responsibilities and
    schedules.
  9. Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds preferred.

Technology Requirements

Type at least 35 WPM and working knowledge of MS Office.

Travel Requirements

Able to travel to MOPD office and other locations for special events throughout the five boroughs via public transportation (including paratransit).

Days/Hours Per Week

20 hours/week maximum ($15/hr)

Length of Internship

16 weeks maximum

Project Management Intern, NYCEDC

Internship Title: Project Management Intern
Agency:
NYCEDC
Division/Department:
Equity
Location: 1 Liberty Plaza, New York, NY 10006
ID # 39


Program Description

NYCEDC is deepening its commitment to promoting equitable outcomes within its projects. As part of these efforts, the organization is seeking to ensure that its programmatic and contracting activities are appropriately targeted towards historically underrepresented groups to ensure that they are promoting fair and equitable growth.

Role of Equity and Community Impact Division

The Equity and Community Impact Division ensures NYCEDC advances equity by providing technical assistance, measurement and evaluation, strategy, and stakeholder engagement. Equity and Community Impact Focus Areas: Equity, Economic Mobility, M/W/DBE and Accessibility.
As an intern, you’ll collaborate closely with the Director of Accessibility and the Assistant Vice President of Program Evaluation.

About the Teams

The Accessibility team is focused on developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to ensure accessibility across both new and existing EDC projects. We advance Universal Design principles, ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and provide strategic planning and technical assistance to make EDC projects inclusive. Through staff training and collaboration with stakeholders, we work to enhance accessibility and create equitable opportunities for people with disabilities.

Our Program Evaluation unit plays a key role in measuring the impacts of NYCEDC’s economic mobility programs, including the HireNYC and Community Hiring initiatives, ensuring all New Yorkers can access quality jobs and opportunities to thrive. Through data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and best practices research and hands-on learning, we work to enhance the city’s efforts toward equitable economic development.

Intern Responsibilities

The Intern will be a key player in boosting Accessibility by ensuring NYCEDC’s digital materials meet accessibility standards.

  1. Reviewing presentations and documents for digital accessibility compliance using NYCEDC’s newly developed Digital Accessibility Guidelines.
  2. Assessing and enhancing existing online templates to align with accessibility best practices.

The Intern will also support the Program Evaluation team’s management of workforce developing initiatives, helping to evaluate these impactful programs and contributing to economic mobility in NYC.

  1. Assist with data collection, monitoring, reporting and tracking, compliance of workforce programs, including the HireNYC and Community Hiring programs.
  2. Perform outreach and correspond with external stakeholders to request missing or unreported information.
  3. Support Program Evaluation team with overall team goals and project management assistance as needed.

Required Skills

  • Passionate about NYCEDC’s mission to shape a more equitable NYC
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
  • Keen attention to detail and accuracy
  • Proactive in bringing new ideas and identifying opportunities for improvement

Technology Requirements

N/A

Travel Requirements

This is a hybrid position with typically 3 days in office and 2 WFH.

Days/Hours Per Week

20-25 hours

Length of Internship

4/4.5 months

Available Summer Internships

Explore our summer internship opportunities, (beginning in June 2025):

Extended School Year Support Intern, NYC Public Schools

Internship Title: Extended School Year Support Intern
Agency:
New York City Public Schools
Division/Department:
Spec. Ed. Office
Location: 52 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007 room 220
ID # 35


Program Description

The ESY Program provides 12-month Special Class services to students with those recommendations on their IEPs. Students are recommended 12-month services if they are at risk for severe regression over the summer and represent 3-5% of students with IEPs in district schools. The primary aim of the program is to prevent learning loss (our official mandate) and we hope to see students make forward progress in their academic development as well as have a meaningful summer experience that includes making friends and having fun.

Intern Responsibilities

The ESY support intern works with families and schools and tracks student attendance and progress. The PII intern will support the program director by monitoring our inbox and in tracking program attendance.

  1. Respond to questions sent to the ESY inbox from families and schools (scripts will be provided)
  2. Track attendance from each of our 30 sites across the city
  3. Help document program success

Required Skills

  • Intern needs strong written communication skills.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft office programs like Word and Excel.
  • Ability to set priorities and manage multiple tasks.

Technology Requirements

The intern will do most of their work on a PC and must be comfortable using the Office suite.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel to visit ESY school sites. Sites will be accessible by public transportation.

Days/Hours Per Week

12-20 hours per week

Length of Internship

16-20 weeks

Communications Intern, NYC Comptroller

Internship Title: Communications Intern
Agency:
NYC Comptroller
Division/Department:
Communications
Location: 1 Centre Street, New York, NY
ID # 41


Program Description

The Communications Intern will help execute the office’s communications strategy in coordination with the Press Officers, Press Secretaries, and Communications Director.

Intern Responsibilities

Duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Support the execution of communications strategies to establish the Office as a trusted voice on government and fiscal transparency, oversight, and accountability.
  • Learn to draft press releases and other written material on a wide range of issues from the economy, financial sector, housing, to transportation.
  • Work hand-in-hand with senior communications staff and issue experts from the Asset Management, Budget, Audit, and Policy divisions on a wide range of issues pertaining to the city and the work of the Comptroller’s office.
  • Help plan for press conferences and events.
  • Monitor news and social media pertaining to New York City and issues pertaining to the work of the office of the Comptroller.
  • Meet and greet with reporters in the New York City press corps and sit-in on interviews.
  • Work with team members to align press and digital strategy.

Required Skills

  • Strong writing ability and attention to detail.
  • Interest in the government and economic landscape of New York City.
  • Some familiarity issues that pertain to the work of the NYC Comptroller’s office.
  • Ability and enthusiasm to work in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong commitment to racial and economic justice, public service, and a team culture that values collaboration and feedback.

Technology Requirements

N/A

Travel Requirements

N/A

Days/Hours Per Week

Flexible

Length of Internship

6/2/2025 – 7/31/2025


Interested in completing an internship with the PII Program?

New internships are updated on a rolling basis. To connect with the PII program regarding upcoming internships, or to apply for a current opening, click the link below and complete the form.


Contact Us

For more information about the Partnership for Inclusive Internships, please email: PII@ahrcnyc.org

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