What Can You Expect?
Inclusive designers and developers create software products that are user friendly for the widest range of people. The demand for these products is huge (and growing), and companies need skilled people to help them meet their current and future accessibility goals and the diverse needs of people with disabilities.
The AFB Talent Lab Internship program provides current students with opportunities to participate in hands-on client projects, build real-world experience, and interact with potential employers. In addition to working with instructors and mentors, interns also work collaboratively with participants who have visual impairments to learn how to run usability testing with greater empathy, insight, and relevance.
What’s Included
The paid AFB Talent Lab internship includes:
- Foundational coursework in digital inclusion delivered through a blend of pre-recorded and interactive modules
- Mentorship and job shadowing opportunities
- Authentic, hands-on client projects and project testing
- Direct client interaction for accessibility reporting, remediation, and guidance
Learn from expert accessibility engineers and usability specialists.
The AFB Talent Lab instructors and mentors have exceptional expertise in digital inclusion, developed through accessibility consulting projects with scores of businesses, including leading corporate environments like Google, Samsung, and Microsoft. And many of them launched their own careers through AFB internships.
Selection Criteria
AFB Talent Lab Interns are selected through an application and interview process. To be eligible to apply, applicants must:
- Be enrolled full-time in college or another higher education program
- Be studying computer science or a related field
- Be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior
- Have a recommendation from a professor or instructor.
Participant Commitments
The AFB Talent Lab Internship is a fully remote and flexible program consisting of nine terms completed over the course of three years. You may participate in one, multiple, or all nine terms.
AFB Talent Lab Internship program participants are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the program, including foundational coursework, independent and team-oriented client projects, and meetings with program mentors and supervisors.
Participants represent the AFB and, as a result, are required to adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards while participating in the program.
Work Requirements
Participants should expect to be engaged with program coursework, projects, or other activities for a certain number of hours each week depending on the term:
- For Summer sessions, expect to work about 25-30 hours each week.
- For Spring & Fall sessions, expect to work about 6-10 hours each week.
Continued Eligibility Requirements
To move on to the next term or return to the program after a break, participants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 at your college or university
- Receive a successful performance evaluation from your AFB Talent Lab Mentor each term
Compensation & Other Participant Benefits
In addition to developing highly marketable job skills, AFB Talent Lab Interns will earn the following through their participation:
- Compensation starting at $18 per hour
- Digital badges with the successful completion of each program term
- For advanced-level Interns, eligibility to request letters of recommendation and support with accessibility/usability-related capstone projects.
When & How to Apply
Applications for new AFB Talent Lab participants are accepted annually, with an application deadline in mid to late March. Please visit our Participant Application webpage to learn about current and upcoming application cycles, including when applications open , how to submit an application, and when applications are due.
If you have questions about the AFB Talent lab prior to the next application cycle, please feel free to contact us via the link below.
