A Message from Our CEO: Celebrating Disability Pride Month and the 35th Anniversary of the ADA

Dear BroadFutures Community,

Each July, Disability Pride Month calls us to reflect on the importance of inclusion, visibility, and advocacy for the disability community. This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—a landmark in advancing the rights, access, and opportunities for people with disabilities.

At BroadFutures, Disability Pride Month reaffirms why our mission is as vital as ever: to empower neurodivergent young people through opportunities and support, and to ensure workplaces are accessible and inclusive for all. Disability is a powerful and natural facet of human diversity, and we are proud to stand alongside our interns, alumni, employers, and community partners to break down barriers to employment and build environments where all talent can thrive.

Our work is possible because of the resilience and brilliance of the young people we have the honor to serve. As we continue our summer programming, we are continually inspired by them, as well as by our dedicated partners who believe in a future where strengths are celebrated and all individuals are supported to achieve their goals.

Thank you for being part of this journey and helping us build a more inclusive world.

With gratitude,

Carolyn Jeppsen

Co-Founder, CEO & President

BroadFutures

Summer 2025 Program Updates

It is hard to believe we are entering the final stretch of our summer program! Our Summer 2025 interns have been gaining valuable work experience, developing professional skills, and forming meaningful connections that will support their future careers.

Here are just a few highlights from July across both our DC and National Programs:

• The DC cohort enjoyed summer fun around the city, including exploring the National Mall, taking in a Washington Nationals game, and visiting the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

• Interns were guided through a workshop on Advocacy and Empowerment by Tim Fuchs, the Deputy Executive Director of the ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia.

• Two of our Board Members, Christine Fruehwirth and Victoria Geis, joined us for mock interviews with our DC interns, sharing invaluable feedback and insight on how to approach the interview process confidently.

• Merck national interns took part in immersive lab tours and a networking symposium at another national site.

We are inspired by everything our interns have accomplished so far and cannot wait to see what their final weeks bring!

BroadFutures Was at Disability:IN’s Annual Conference!

This month, BroadFutures attended the Disability:IN Annual Conference, a global gathering of leaders committed to advancing disability inclusion in the workplace. It was an inspiring week filled with powerful conversations, new connections, and a clear momentum around neurodiversity.

A highlight for BroadFutures was hearing from Craig Leen, a former BroadFutures podcast guest, who spoke on a panel about the legal foundations for workplace inclusion. We connected with fellow advocates, employers, and thought leaders who share our mission—exchanging insights on the value of internships for neurodivergent talent, reflecting on both the successes and challenges of achieving neuroinclusion in today’s workplace, and exploring how AI can be harnessed to advance neurodiversity and inclusion. We are excited to carry this momentum into our work and to deepen the partnerships sparked at the conference.

BroadFutures’ Upcoming Gala: A Renewed Vision. A Bold New Future.

Please join us as a sponsor as we celebrate our community and look ahead with courage and purpose. We would love to include your name on our invitation, so we invite you to consider becoming a sponsor today to ensure your recognition. Your support is vital to our mission, and we look forward to celebrating our new brand and bold vision for the future—we hope you will be part of it.

Strategic Planning Survey

This month, our Board of Directors gathered in person for a meaningful and energizing conversation about the future of BroadFutures as we embark on a 3-year strategic plan to meet a critical moment for our community and expand our impact. Together, we are setting ambitious goals focused on growth, innovation, and increasing our impact, and reinforcing our Fall Gala theme of a Renewed Vision and a Bold New Future in the community we serve.

Every voice in our community matters, and we hope you’ll take a few minutes to help shape the future of BroadFutures and share your perspective through a short survey. Your insights will play a critical role in our process.

Employer Spotlight

We are excited to welcome DCTV as one of our newest employer partners! An Emmy-nominated nonprofit media organization and community access station, DCTV is committed to amplifying local voices and empowering communities through creative media production, education, and distribution.

Julia Reardin, Director of Programs and Services at DCTV, shared her thoughts on our partnership:

“At DCTV, we believe in building pathways into the media industry for all kinds of talent—and our partnership with BroadFutures has been a wonderful extension of that mission. The interns bring a fresh energy and a willingness to grow that resonates with our team. Our BroadFutures intern has become an integral part of our Programs and Services department, contributing meaningfully to real-world projects while developing hands-on experience in media production. It’s incredibly rewarding to support young professionals as they build confidence and career readiness in a supportive, inclusive space.”

Thank you to Julia and the team at DCTV for your support and partnership!

Intern Spotlight

Meet Lauren, a BroadFutures Summer 2025 intern at The Arc of Northern Virginia!

At the Arc of NoVa, she’s been organizing a provider directory and writing blog posts to share their perspective and spark conversation. Through the internship, they’ve practiced new writing styles, improved small talk with coworkers, and found joy in organizing data, all while being supported and challenged along the way.

Reflecting on the value of BroadFutures, Lauren shared: “At training, I've learned more about how I can request accommodations in the workplace and how networking isn't as complicated or scary as I had imagined it to be.”

Thank you to the incredible team at the Arc for our partnership and for supporting Lauren on this journey.

Lauren, your commitment to our program and the Arc is so incredibly impressive, and it is wonderful to be a part of your journey and growth.

Check out their first blog post here:

Winter 2026 DC Internship Program Now Accepting Applications!

We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the BroadFutures Winter 2026 DC Internship Program, running from January 26 – April 17, 2026. Apply by October 24, 2025 to be considered for this transformative opportunity. Know someone who might be a great fit? Help us spread the word by forwarding them the link below!

BroadFutures Monthly Info Session

Want to learn more about our internship programs? Join us at our next monthly information session on August 28th at 12:00pm EST to learn about how BroadFutures can help you achieve your goals. Register below to attend!

Young neurodivergent people have limitless potential.

Let's unlock it.