Atlanta, GA (July 26, 2019) – O’Neill Communications, an interactive marketing, and communications agency, has launched a paid internship program for students with intellectual disabilities in partnership with Georgia State University’s IDEAL Program.

The Inclusive Digital Expression and Literacy (IDEAL) Program is an inclusive post-secondary program for students with mild intellectual disabilities. IDEAL is focused on the development of media literacy, storytelling, and media production skills to develop students’ communication skills and media maker “voice”.

The internship is six-months long and involves curriculum training on all facets of marketing and communications and working on client projects. The intern will then develop a capstone-like communications project under the supervision of the team to complete the internship.

“The O’Neill team has been incredible to work with. This internship provides purposeful on-the-job training and meaningful work experience. Their collaborative and thoughtful approach highlights our students’ strengths and gives them autonomy over each work day,” said Spenser Norris and Mackenzie Suttles, coordinators of the IDEAL program, in a joint statement. “It is encouraging to watch students leave work feeling so accomplished and excited to go back the next day!”

The firm is a leader in marketing and communications for statewide disability councils and organizations that work with people with disabilities and their families. In 2018, the firm launched the Include College campaign for the Georgia Post-Secondary Inclusive Education Consortium, the collective that oversees the nine universities and colleges that have programs for students with disabilities across Georgia.

O’Neill Communications also has a long-standing relationship with Georgia State University. The firm has provided social media and professional branding training to the faculty and staff of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (AYSPS), and participated with Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders program, also led by AYSPS.

For more information on Georgia State University’s IDEAL Program, visit https://disability.publichealth.gsu.edu/ideal/