As a student or alum with a disability or with accommodations, you may have additional questions as you transition to the workplace. You may even have questions about whether or not you have a disability.
If you receive accommodations through the university’s Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS), or had an IEP or a 504 plan in high school, you qualify as a person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA defines disability as any impairment that substantially limits major life activities such as seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for oneself, and working. Most students are unaware that this includes two conditions that are prevalent on our campus: ADHD and mental health issues.
We encourage students to turn accommodations/disability into an asset. You do this by demonstrating that you have the knowledge, know-how and resources to partner effectively with the organization to put in place the accommodations or work-arounds that you need to succeed. Demonstrating such mastery shows an organization that you are persistent, resilient, a creative problem-solver, and a good communicator, and that the success of the company is your primary interest. We can assist you in developing that mastery.
Top Career-Related Tips
At each stage of the recruitment and hiring process-- career preparation, job search, application, interview -- you may need to consider how your accommodations or disability will affect your performance. Once you’re hired, what about succeeding in the job? Will your need for accommodations or disability affect your performance on the job? Which accommodations are best for you?
Disclosing a disability is an individual decision. You are never required to disclose a disability at any point in the employment process. However, your disability may be visible, or you may want to disclose in order to receive accommodations, or you may feel that your disability is an important part of who you are. Whether you need to disclose, when to disclose, and how to disclose can be complicated, and we are here to help.
Resources to Support You
Internship & Career-Related Programs
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), coordinated by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Defense, is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and select private-sector employers with highly motivated college students, graduate students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to demonstrate their abilities in the workplace through internships or permanent jobs.
The Workforce Recruitment Program is relevant to individuals who qualify for Schedule A Hiring Authority. You can apply for jobs using Schedule A if you are a person with an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability or a psychiatric disability.
How to Apply to WRP
Step 1: Through WRP.gov, students and recent graduates with disabilities apply to a USAJOBS.gov post between August 17-October 4, 2026. This includes:
- Uploading a transcript (official or unofficial) and a Schedule A letter/disability documentation to verify program eligibility.
- WRP program staff review materials. Within a few weeks, applicants will receive an email indicating if their eligibility is confirmed, if they are ineligible, or if they must submit more or revised documentation.
Step 2: In mid-November, eligible applicants will be invited by email to join the WRP Talent Program. Applicants have 30 days to join the talent program by completing their application, including a current resume.
Who Can Apply to WRP?
Current degree-seeking, undergraduate or graduate students with disabilities, and recent graduates who received a postsecondary degree on or after April 1, 2024, from a U.S. accredited college or university, are eligible to apply for the WRP in fall 2026. Candidates must be U.S. citizens who are eligible for the federal Schedule A hiring authority.
Helpful Resources to Help You Apply to the WRP (Slides)
- WRP Program Overview for Fall 2026 (if link fails, open in incognito window due to size of document)
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