The NextGen Leaders Program has two components: 

1. NextGen Virtual Mentoring Program

A six-month mentorship program for college students and recent graduates with disabilities. The program connects NextGen Leaders with experienced professionals from Disability:IN’s Corporate Partners, creating supportive relationships to help navigate searching for a job. NextGen Leader mentees will gain access to mentors from Disability:IN Corporate Partners, however there is no guarantee that NextGen Leaders will receive a job offer because of participating in the program. Assigned mentors are based on the availability of mentors across different occupational fields, and there is no guarantee that your mentor will be from your preferred industry.

 

Note: Once assigned with a mentor from a Corporate Partner, you may be required to complete additional releases or agreements with the Corporate Partner as part of their internal process. Such additional company-specific requirements, if applicable, are beyond the scope and authority of Disability:IN to administer, alter, or waive.  

2. NextGen Talent Accelerator

A select group of NextGen Leaders will also be chosen to attend the 2027 Disability:IN Global Conference & Expo from July 18-22, 2027, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colorado (Denver).

If selected, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in two days of pre-conference skills building, leadership development and networking on Sunday, July 18 and Monday, July 19, prior to attending the full conference July 20-22 alongside more than 3,000 disability champions from across the globe. 

 

Participating NextGen Leaders can meet and network with corporate partners from across industries through interactive development workshops, facilitated networking and structured interview sessions, resume building activities and more.

 

Disability:IN may cover select costs at its sole discretion for conference registration, reasonable accommodations, and standard travel (airfare, hotel, and meals) for NextGen Leaders who are selected to attend the conference. 

 

NOTE: Vocational Rehabilitation consumers, Disability:IN may engage with State Vocational Rehabilitation for some reimbursement opportunities. 

Not all applicants will be selected to attend the conference as it is a highly competitive, discretion-based process. 

NextGen Talent Accelerator Goals:

• Build NextGen Leaders' professional skills for the private employment sector
• Help businesses identify talented individuals for employment opportunities
• Secure interview and networking opportunities with Disability:IN Corporate Partners
• Collaborate with other NextGen Leaders as part of the Innovation Lab (iLab) design competition
• Increase NextGen Leader confidence as job and internship seekers

You must be able to satisfy and respond “Yes” to all items above to be eligible to participate in the NextGen Leaders Program. If you answer “No” to any of these items, you are not currently eligible for the program, and it is recommended that you do not continue completing this application.

19. Please rank 5 of the current Disability:IN Corporate Partners you are interested in.

Please note that we cannot guarantee that your mentor will be an employee of one of these corporate partners. Corporate partners are subject to change.

 All applications require a resume upload (docx or .pdf) and LinkedIn profile.

The NextGen Leaders Program is a competitive, discretion-based program that receives more applications than can be accepted. If you are selected, you will receive an invitation and participation agreement that must be completed to confirm your placement in the program.

In exchange for the opportunity to apply to be considered for the NextGen Leaders Program, I release from all liability, and waive my right to sue, Disability:IN, its employees, officers, volunteers and agents (collectively “Disability:IN”) from any and all claims which may arise, directly or indirectly, from the program application process and its outcomes, including, but not limited to, acceptance into or denial of acceptance into the program, or any other activities or outcomes incidental thereto.

Resume Collection and Sharing

As part of the NextGen Leaders application process, Disability:IN collects and retains the resume you submit with your application. Disability:IN may use your resume to administer and evaluate your application and, if you are selected, to administer your participation in the NextGen Leaders Program.

Optional Resume Sharing with Corporate Partners and other Third Parties

Disability:IN also provides opportunities to connect NextGen Leaders applicants and participants with Disability:IN corporate partners and other organizations and service providers for potential employment, networking, mentorship, and other professional opportunities. With your permission, Disability:IN may retain and share the resume submitted with your NextGen Leaders application and the personal information contained in it with its corporate partners and their authorized representatives and agents, recruiters and recruiting or staffing firms, third-party recruiting or talent platforms, and other organizations or service providers that facilitate employment, recruiting, networking, mentorship, or similar professional opportunities. This permission applies for these purposes, regardless of whether you are ultimately selected to participate in the NextGen Leaders Program.

Your decision regarding resume sharing is voluntary and will not affect the

consideration of your application or your eligibility for or participation in the NextGen Leaders Program. You may withdraw your consent to future resume sharing at any time by emailing NextGen@disabilityin.org. Withdrawal will apply prospectively and may not affect information previously shared with an authorized party.

Resumes and other personal information collected through the NextGen Leaders application process will be handled in accordance with Disability:IN’s Privacy Policy.

Acknowledgement 

Release of Liability

Confirmation of Virtual Program Application ONLY

The following questions are only required for applicants interested in being selected for the NextGen Talent Accelerator taking place at the Disability:IN Global Conference & Expo from Sunday, July 18 through Thursday, July 22 in Denver, Colorado.

If you are interested in attending the conference, please complete the following questions. If you are only interested in the six-month virtual mentoring program and do not wish to be considered to attend the conference, please skip the following questions, and scroll to the bottom of the page to click “Submit”.

If you are interested in applying to participate in the conference, please review and check the guidelines to confirm that you understand and agree to our conference eligibility requirements: 

• Provide any required information, complete pre-conference assignments, and post-conference reports by required due dates.
• Participate in ALL conference preparation calls.
• NextGen Leaders selected to attend conference are expected to attend the pre-conference and conference sessions in their entirety.
• Always conduct yourself in a professional manner during events.

Failure to meet the expectations outlined above may result in the cancellation of conference attendance and funding.

5. What airport/city would you be departing from to attend the conference in Colorado? Please list all airports you can depart from, including city/state. 

6. What airport/city would you return to after attending the conference in Colorado? Please list all airports you can return to, including city/state. 

NOTE: Per the Disability:IN Conference Accommodations Policy, select personal care accommodations required within personal hotel sleeping rooms that extend beyond standard hotel infrastructure and that require additional cost are not guaranteed and will be provided, if available and feasible, at the attendee’s own full expense.