From the web site
http://www.viscip2000.org
VISCIP Overview
Every year, thousands of students make their way to the
nation's capital to serve as interns in the U.S. Senate or
House. The Visually Impaired Student Congressional
Internship Program (VISCIP) -- an independent bipartisan
non-profit educational program -- is designed to offer
opportunities for blind and visually impaired college students to
work as interns in Congressional offices on Capitol Hill.
The VISCIP program was started in 1997, and during the
summer of 1998, the program placed visually impaired college
students as interns in five Senate offices. As it would for any
intern, the opportunity for a blind student to work for a U.S.
Senator helped build self esteem, sharpened basic office and
workplace skills, and exposed the students to the legislative
process and Congressional research.
"These interns have shown that they can handle
whatever a Senate office can throw at them. I
think their
example will go a long way towards changing
attitudes
and creating greater opportunities for all blind
Americans."
Ron Wyden
United States
Senator
The enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
and the development of computer equipment and software
technologies, make Congressional internships for visually
impaired or blind students much more accessible. With
appropriate assistive technologies, visually impaired and blind
students can work more easily with sighted interns and can
participate fully in learning how the federal government works.
Many visually impaired and blind students want to have "Hill"
experience. They too want to consider public policy as a
career choice, and what better way to find out about our
government than to experience public policy first hand.
It is equally important for policy makers in Congress to become
more aware of the capabilities of individuals who are visually
impaired or blind. This internship program will provide for the
integration of visually impaired students in an internship
program that will educate, inform, and increase much needed
awareness about individuals with disabilities to those who
work for, or serve in the United States Congress.
"VISCIP is really a two way learning
program. We are showing people on Capitol
Hill that individuals with visual impairments
can do the same things as everybody else."
Moira Shea
President VISCIP
2000 VISCIP Program Details
To be considered for the 2000 program, applications must be
postmarked or faxed by January 30, 2000. All applicants will be
reviewed by the VISCIP selection committee. Semi-finalists will
be selected, and these names will be submitted to the
participating Congressional offices. The names of the
semifinalists will be posted to the VISCIP website by March 1,
2000. The participating Congressional offices will make the
final decision regarding which interns will be selected based
on which students best meet each office's needs.
VISCIP will make every attempt to work with the Congressional
offices to encourage them to quickly select their interns. Each
Congressional office will operate according to their schedule,
final selection is targeted for March 30, 2000, but again is
contingent on the Member's offices.
Although the total number of interns will be determined by the
number of qualified placements, VISCIP can sponsor 15-20
students for the 2000 term. The 2000 Program term will span
the tenth anniversary of the passage of the Americans with
Disabilities Act, and interns will help official Washington
celebrate that milestone. The internship will last for eight
consecutive weeks, from May 31, 2000 through July 28, 2000.
VISCIP will provide participating interns with a small stipend
and will provide housing in a local university dorm. VISCIP also
will provide participating students with an orientation and
mobility program and an introduction to the legislative process
at the start of the internship.
The Viscip Program is about tearing
down
barries and changing minds. The best
questions to ask any intern isn't "how
well
you see", it's "how well you think."
VISCIP Class of 1999
Intern Applicant Requirements:
Must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen.
Must be a current college student who has completed at
least one year of college and is officially enrolled for
further studies.
Must have a minimum of a 3.0 (B or higher) grade point
average.
Must be able to produce certification of legal blindness.
Must provide three letters of recommendation, with at
least one from a former teacher or professor.
Must submit a one-page essay entitled "What I Hope to
Gain from a Congressional Internship."
Must have experience with basic word processing
programs (such as MS Word or WordPerfect) and be able
to use the Internet.
Should have good mobility skills.
Should have good interpersonal and telephone skills.
Applicants are encouraged to obtain a letter of
recommendation from their Congressional Representative
to assist in the selection and placement process.
To get application information click here.
The VISCIP Class of 1998
VISCIP Board of Directors and Advisory
Committee
The VISCIP Board of Directors leads the charge for VISCIP.
This Board reviews the final selection of the candidates prior
to circulating resumes to Senate offices, oversees the annual
budget, monitorsVISCIP program requirements, and develops
future plans for the VISCIP program. In addition to the Board of
Directors, a VISCIP Advisory Committee has been established
to offer additional guidance and to provide expert advice to the
VISCIP Board.
VISCIP would like to thank the following for their support:
The Carmen Group, Inc.
Aid Association for the Blind of the District of Columbia
Delta Gamma Foundation
Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease LLT.
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