Are you interested in self-advocacy? Would you like to get paid to learn new skills? If you want to work on projects about disability justice and health, you should apply for our internship!
The Health Department’s Sexual Health Equity for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (SHEIDD) program has a paid internship for disabled young adults.
This equity-focused internship is a good way to gain work experience and build your self-advocacy skills. Youth of color and LGBTQ+ are especially encouraged to apply.
You will get training and mentoring. We will provide support for your internship responsibilities, and for getting you accommodations.
This internship is funded by a grant from Oregon’s Office of Developmental Disability Services.
Who Should Apply
Youth ages 18-24 who identify as being disabled or have a disability. Interested in:
- Self-advocacy
- Sexual health and healthy relationships
- Disability justice
- Sexual health equity for people with disabilities
- Health policy and education
- Developing education resources and communications
What You’ll Do
SHEIDD promotes sexual health education for disabled youth. Based on your interests and goals, you will get to join in that work and decide how to contribute. You will get to be on a community advisory group, and work on an intern lead project.
Your work will focus on one of these 3 areas:
- Training and workshop facilitation
- Communications/digital resources
- Policy
What You’ll Learn
- Disability justice and self-advocacy
- Popular education and community education
- Comprehensive sexual health education
What You’ll Get
- Paid $20/per hour
- 1-on-1 mentoring
- Accommodation support
- Meet and connect with peers, professionals and self-advocates who work on disability justice
To Qualify
- You have or identify as having a disability
- Live in Oregon
- Must be between 18 and 24 years old on March 11, 2025
- Must be available between April 3 and June 30, 2025
Application Deadline
March 11, 2025. Apply now»
Position Details
We want you to have a positive experience and feel challenged. There may be times when you feel a little uncomfortable or stressed. But we do not want you to feel unsafe or overwhelmed.
We will work to support you and do our best to meet you where you’re at. At the end of the internship, we want you to feel empowered in your role as self-advocate.
What to Expect
- Work 8-12 hours per week
- Be busier Monday through Wednesday
- Get paid twice a month
- Earn about $1,920-2,400 total
- We’ll ask about your communication needs and preferences
- We’ll ask your feedback about your experience
You can also expect for us to check-in with you to make sure that your experience doesn’t become too stressful or overwhelming!
Main Responsibilities
- Attend weekly mentorship meetings
- Take part in community advisory group and workgroup meetings
- Track the hours you work
- Submit invoices for your pay
- Do your best to communicate with us when something is too hard, so we can support you
All of your responsibilities will take place on paid time. It may include some independent work.
Where You’ll Work
Mostly online, with in-person options available in Multnomah County.
For some work, like facilitating workshops, you’ll need to be there in-person if you want that experience. If that’s not an option for you, you could still attend the online planning meetings.
In-person meeting locations will depend on the reason for the meeting:
- Workshop locations - depends on the needs of the group we’re training.
- Mentorship meetings - we’ll find a location that works well for you.
- In-person group meetings - the group (including you) will discuss and decide on the best option by voting.
About SHEIDD
We are a group of community members and employees from nonprofit organizations, government and education. We advocate and promote equity in sexual health education for youth ages 14-21 who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Our community advisory group is the heart of our project, and helps us realize our vision.
Regardless of ability or identity, we all deserve access to sexual health education. Yet, youth with disabilities often don’t have access.
We are pretty good at what we do. We’re nationally recognized for our innovative approach of asking youth experiencing I/DD what help they need. And for expanding our community’s capacity to provide comprehensive sexual health education. Organizations we work with are eager to work with us again!
Questions?
Contact our internship coordinator, Greg, gregory.garoppolo@multco.us