Support and Accommodations for Internship Experiences

At Penn State, Student Disability Resources (SDR) is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities—whether permanent or temporary, visible or hidden—receive timely and appropriate accommodations not only in academic settings but also in experiential learning environments such as internships.

Specialized Support for Internship Planning

Internships are a vital part of career development, offering students real-world experience, skill-building, and networking opportunities. For students with disabilities, internships can present unique challenges and opportunities that require thoughtful planning and support.

To better serve students pursuing internships, SDR encourages collaboration between students, faculty, internship coordinators, and employers. Disability specialists can assist with:

Identifying potential barriers in internship environments.
Facilitating the interactive process with internship sites to determine reasonable accommodations.
Providing guidance to students for accommodation requests.
Connecting students with external resources, such as Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).

Types of Internship Accommodations

Accommodations are determined through an interactive process and tailored to each student’s needs and the specific demands of the internship. Examples include:

Modified work schedules or flexible hours.
Assistive technology or accessible software.
Physical accessibility adjustments at the internship site.
Support for communication needs, such as interpreters or captioning services.
Modified tasks or expectations that align with essential job functions.

Steps to Request Internship Accommodations

Review the Internship Description
Understand the essential functions and physical or cognitive demands of the role.
Initiate the Interactive Process
Contact SDR to discuss potential barriers and begin planning for accommodations.
Submit Documentation
Individuals with disabilities may be asked to provide documentation of their disability to establish eligibility for accommodations.
Engage with the Internship Site
With support from SDR, communicate your accommodation needs to the internship and site supervisors.
Practice Self-Advocacy
Be prepared to discuss your needs, monitor your experience, and request adjustments if necessary.

Additional Resources

Penn State Career Services Office supports students in preparing for their transition into the workplace. They offer assistance with internship searches, resume and cover letter tailoring, and interview preparation. You can schedule an appointment or drop-in session here.
Pennsylvania’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVR) provides vocational rehabilitation services to help individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. OVR can assist with navigating disability services in the workplace, including helping draft accommodation request letters. You can search for your local OVR office here.
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides practical strategies for requesting and negotiating accommodations in the workplace, including internships. Their Workplace Accommodation Toolkit includes sample processes, documentation templates, and training resources.

Need Help?

Students can contact SDR at upsdr@psu.edu or call 814-863-1807 to schedule an appointment. SDR specialists are available to support students with accommodation concerns throughout the internship process.