Applications are now open for the 2027 Bobby Silverstein Fellowship, a paid, annual opportunity supporting the next generation of disability policy leaders.
Launched in October 2024 to commemorate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), the Fellowship honors the legacy of Robert “Bobby” Silverstein, a champion of disability rights and longtime partner at Powers.
Developed in partnership between Powers, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and the Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy (CSAPD), the Fellowship provides an emerging advocate with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of disability policy and law.
Reflecting on her experience as the 2026 Bobby Silverstein Fellow, Hannah Jane Hodge shared:
(L to R): Peter Thomas, Managing Partner, Powers Law; Lynne Silverstein, Director, CSAPD; Hannah Jane Hodge, 2026 Bobby Silverstein Fellow; Maria Town, President and CEO, AAPD
“I was proud to serve as the Bobby Silverstein Fellow this summer because the fellowship allowed me to learn how meaningful advocacy can be done at the intersection of law and policy. It was an honor to be a fellow named after Bobby Silverstein, who was a creative and inspiring advocate for the disability community.
Being a fellow this summer and being placed at the Bazelon Mental Health Law Center showed me the importance of educating representatives and connecting them with people with disabilities who will be directly impacted by their decisions. My work this summer has shaped my approach to my future career by reinforcing the importance of centering the perspectives and experiences of those most directly affected by my advocacy efforts. It has also encouraged me to take the time to educate both my local and national representatives about issues that are important to the disability community.”
Each summer, a fellow is competitively selected through the AAPD Disability Policy Internship Program. Applicants must be juniors or higher with a strong interest in disability issues from a legal perspective. The selected fellow participates in person in Washington, D.C., developing a public policy perspective on specific disability issues while gaining practical experience, mentorship, and opportunities to build connections within the disability community.
Through the Fellowship, emerging disability policy leaders have the opportunity to build on the work Bobby dedicated his career to—advancing systemic change and expanding opportunities for people with disabilities through sound public policy grounded in the law.
Apply for the Bobby Silverstein Fellowship
Learn more about the Bobby Silverstein Fellowship and Bobby’s legacy at Powers.
Interested in applying? Click the button below to visit the AAPD Disability Policy Internship Program and select “Bobby Silverstein Fellowship” as your Internship Placement Site when completing your application.