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Mentoring

Mentoring transforms lives. It builds confidence, fosters independence, and helps people with disabilities thrive in education, employment, and community life.

Our flagship mentoring program has served youth with disabilities ages 12-24 since 1985. We provide 1:1, peer mentoring and group mentoring. Mentoring at PYD is more than support. It’s a dynamic space where youth build real-world skills through trusted relationships, goal-setting, and shared experiences. Additionally, we are dedicated to nationally increasing the awareness, quality, and impact of mentoring for individuals with disabilities recognizing the champions in this area.   Finally, PYD’s Disability Mentoring Certification Program is an intensive training designed to teach professionals how to run mentoring programs that are inclusive to youth, volunteers, and staff with disabilities.

1:1 Mentoring

One-to-One Mentoring helps young people with disabilities reach their full potential for personal development and independence by matching them with a caring adult mentor.  Mentoring relationships are a partnership. Mentors and youth help each other practice communication, learn to advocate for themselves, and develop leadership skills through real conversations and shared goals.

Peer Mentoring

Peer mentoring is a developmental relationship in which individuals of similar status, experience level, or age provide guidance, support, and knowledge to one another. Unlike traditional mentoring, which often involves a senior expert guiding a junior, peer mentoring emphasizes mutual learning, shared responsibility, and collaboration. Our 1:1 pairs also have opportunities for peer mentoring through structured activities and meetings.

Group Mentoring

Group mentoring is a structured developmental approach where one or more mentors work with a group 
of mentees simultaneously. Unlike traditional one-on-one mentoring, this model emphasizes collective learning, collaboration, and shared experiences.

Our group mentoring model offers a range of opportunities, from short- and long-term connections 
to skills-based sessions tailored to participants’ interests. We host community events that keep youth 
and volunteers engaged and connected to a supportive network. This approach is designed to meet 
the unique needs of youth with disabilities, fostering social connection and friendship while supporting 
skill development and goal setting.

PYD’s National Disability Mentoring Initiatives

PYD’s National Disability Mentoring Initiatives help organizations and individuals use mentoring as a powerful strategy for disability inclusion. When you join, you gain access to tools, connections, and knowledge that make a real impact.

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Dinah F. B. Cohen
Fellowship Program

What is the Fellowship?

The Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship is a national leadership program for college students and recent graduates with disabilities. Over 12 weeks, fellows collaborate on meaningful projects that advance disability inclusion—and gain the tools to thrive in their careers. Fellows receive a $1,500 stipend upon successful completion.

Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for:

  • College students or recent graduates with disabilities
  • Individuals motivated to grow professionally and build leadership experience
  • Applicants eligible to work and be paid in the United States

We are currently not accepting applications at this time.
Please sign up for our newsletter to be notified when the Spring 2027 Fellowship Application opens.

What Our Fellows Say