WID’s Global Heumann Fellowship Program

Fellows will be charged with conducting research, writing a white paper, building relationships, supporting opportunities for collaboration, and program development to drive WID’s mission and strategic focus areas including: accessibility and universal design; emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience; global community inclusion, regional/global policy, and the overall power of activism.

Through this twelve-month fellowship term, each fellow is engaged in a unique combination of opportunities for thought leadership on national and global policy, research strategies, advocacy, program development, and contributions to initiatives aimed at advancing the rights of persons with disabilities globally. Fellows will focus on identifying and leading research with the support of WID, as it regards the fellow’s respective region, expertise, and collaboration with WID.

Fellow Roles and Responsibilities

Global Heumann Fellows are responsible for:

• Promoting WID’s mission and core values within the Fellow’s region and global presence
• Ensuring reflection of WID’s mission and core values throughout the application process, fellow’s program development, relevant work, and future action plans
• Establishing and strengthening alliances to advance change with WID and for the fellow’s future professional development
• Conducting relevant research that will promote applicable findings and build the power of people with disabilities
• Creating a sustainable, research-based project plan to guide regional and global implementation throughout and upon completion of the fellowship
• Responsible for conducting comprehensive research that results in a WID-published white paper
• Producing multi-media assets that demonstrate fellow’s research findings and organizational objectives
• Maintaining consistent communication and proactive interest in connections with mentors, WID staff, and others involved in the fellow’s research, projects, and responsibilities.

Fellow Time Commitment and Location

This is a part-time, twelve-month fellowship, with a term from July 2024 to July 2025. Individuals who have lived disability experience active in the disability community and have extensive experience or leadership within the disability rights and disability justice fields are encouraged to apply. At this time, all members of WID are working remotely throughout the United States and the fellowship is completely virtual. Fellows, WID, and collaborators will establish meeting frequency mindful of multiple time zones. The successful fellow must possess the right to work in the location in which they will be based. WID is unable to sponsor visas or relocation for this fellowship.

• Location: Remote
• Time Commitment: Part Time (Up to 20 hours/week)
• Term: July 2024 to July 2025

Fellow Requirements and Eligibility

• The Global Heumann Fellowship seeks disabled, visionary leaders with a demonstrated history in advocacy, communications, and influential collaboration. Must have the ability to be effective while working remotely and maintain flexibility working with a diverse, global team.
  • Have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience within the disability rights movement
  • Have lived experience as a person with a disability
  • Experienced in advocacy on global disability rights issues Flexibility and capacity to work with limited supervision and adapt quickly to new or unexpected assignments
  • Commitment to excellence and to being a reliable, responsive, and accountable team member throughout the fellowship
  • English Proficiency- high level of comfort with the use of the English language in both spoken and written forms
  • Will commit part-time (20 hours/week) to the proposed research project and fellowship program throughout the fellowship year
  • Currently has a professional career within the disability rights field upon completion of the Fellowship
• Desirable Requirements:
  • Hold an academic degree (earned in the U.S. or abroad) equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree completed by the application deadline
  • Has a strong foundation of knowledge of disability and human rights advocacy
  • Daily access to the internet, a personal computer, and a suitable work environment
  • Willingness and ability to work occasionally at non-standard hours, accommodating different time zones
  • Willingness to be available on instant communication modes such as WhatsApp or Signal
  • Have had significant experience in writing, or are a published writer on disability rights issues.

For more information, visit World Institute on Disability.