Policy Intern

Center for Disability & Elder Law • Chicago, IL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. CDEL’s clients—individuals often marginalized by age, disability and poverty—may have difficulty accessing the legal system. CDEL strives to provide access to the legal system to help our clients to assert their legal rights and live better lives. CDEL’s organizational structure consists of a modest in-house staff which supports a network of hundreds of volunteer attorneys, students and paralegals. CDEL staff and its volunteers provide legal representation in a wide range of civil practice areas including guardianship, simple estate planning, landlord/tenant, consumer debt and fraud, and real estate.

The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) hosts Policy Interns during the academic year. For Fall 2026, the Policy Intern will participate in a primarily hybrid internship opportunity, consisting of both remote and in-person work. CDEL will provide training and supervision throughout the internship experience.

This opportunity is ideal for graduate and undergraduate students pursuing studies in public policy, public administration, social work, political science, disability studies, or related fields. Students with a strong interest in advocacy, systems change, and public interest work are encouraged to apply.

Policy Interns may have opportunities to participate in CDEL policy-focused initiatives, outreach events, and workshops that advance policy priorities for older adults and people with disabilities.

Requirements

• Graduate and undergraduate students pursuing studies in public policy, public administration, social work, political science, disability studies, or related fields.
• Strong interest in advocacy, systems change, and public interest work.

Nice To Haves

• Students interested in elder policy, disability policy, housing policy, social justice, public interest advocacy, and systems-level change.
• Applicants who are bilingual or multilingual.

Responsibilities

• Policy research and analysis
• Legislative and regulatory tracking
• Community needs assessments
• Stakeholder engagement and coalition-supporting activities
• Development of policy briefs, reports, and advocacy materials
• Legislative outreach and educational initiatives
• Data collection and program evaluation projects
• Support for public awareness campaigns and strategic initiatives

Benefits

• The Policy Internship is unpaid. However, students may be eligible to receive academic credit through their institution, and there may be funding opportunities available through universities or external agencies. CDEL will work with students and academic advisors to support internship requirements and credit arrangements.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed