Established by Rep. Gregg Harper in 2010, the Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities is a unique program designed to give students with varying intellectual disabilities an opportunity to gain congressional work experience.
Each participating office will be asked to host an intern for one two-hour session each week. During the weekly two-hour session, the intern will be accompanied by a job coach specifically trained to assist each student and will work to complete a variety of office tasks assigned to them by their congressional office.
In addition to fulfilling their weekly office responsibilities, the interns will have an opportunity to enjoy various enrichment activities coordinated by the program administrators. Some of the prior enrichment activities have included Capitol tours and trips to one of the many Smithsonian museums nearby.
