Summer Internship Programme for Disabled Students

This proposal outlines a new initiative to expand the support provided to disabled students at Trinity College Dublin, by developing a targeted summer internship programme. The programme will provide disabled students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, build key skills, and enhance their employability.

Objectives

The objectives of the summer internship programme are as follows:

To provide disabled students with the opportunity to gain practical work experience in a supportive and inclusive environment.
To help students build key skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
To enhance students' employability and increase their chances of securing employment after graduation.
To foster partnerships between the Disability Service, Trinity Careers Service, and departments across the university, in order to promote the inclusion of disabled students in the workplace.

Programme Structure

The summer internship programme will be designed to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging work experience, while also addressing the specific challenges that disabled students may face in the workplace. The programme will consist of the following elements:

Internship placements:
Disabled students will be placed in internship positions within departments across the university, based on their skills and interests. Placements will be designed to provide students with meaningful work experience and exposure to a range of workplace tasks and responsibilities.
Disability support:
The Disability Service will provide ongoing support to students throughout their internships, including assistance with accommodations, workplace assessments, and other needs as required.
Skills development:
The programme will include a range of skills development workshops and training sessions, focused on key competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These sessions will be designed to complement the practical work experience gained through the internships.
Mentorship:
Each intern will be assigned a mentor from the host department, who will provide guidance, support, and feedback throughout the internship period.
Networking events:
The programme will include a series of networking events, designed to connect students with potential employers, alumni, and other professionals in their field of interest.