Program Highlights from Past Exchange Programs

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2009 U.S./Bahrain Professional Exchange Programs & Bahrain Alumni Leadership Institute 

Manama, Bahrain & Eugene, Oregon

About the Exchange: This reciprocal 'Dream Team' program, brought together professionals with and without disabilities from the U.S. and Bahrain representing various fields of expertise including advocacy, disability rights, education, employment, accessibility, physical therapy, policy, legislation, and adaptive recreation, to share their skills, knowledge and friendship, and to learn about life for people with disabilities in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the U.S.

February 2009, Manama, Bahrain: Eleven U.S. professionals with expertise in disability issues contributed their own resources to travel to Bahrain for a 10-day program, and conducted intensive trainings and workshops with Bahrain professionals to offer practical information, strategies and techniques that would strengthen their capacity to make changes in Bahrain and the Persian Gulf for the rights of people with disabilities. The U.S. delegation also took part in a two-day Bahrain Alumni Leadership Institute for Bahraini youth with and without disabilities who participated in the 2007/2008 U.S./Bahrain: Youth Citizenship for Disability Inclusion Exchange Programs.

October 2009, Eugene, Oregon: Nineteen professionals from Bahrain representing disabled people's organizations, Ministries, and education institutions traveled to Eugene for a 12-day program hosted by MIUSA and U.S. professionals to continue the exchange of information, strategies and resources that began in February 2009. Through a series of community site visits and interactive workshops, Bahrain delegates observed inclusive classrooms, learned about employment and higher educational opportunities for people with disabilities, and meet one-on-one with U.S. professionals working in a similar field.

Sponsors of the 2009 U.S./Bahrain Professional Programs include the Bahrain High Committee for Disabled Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Bahrain, MIUSA and contributions obtained by the 2009 U.S. delegation. Sponsors of the 2009 Bahrain Alumni Leadership Institute include MIUSA and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

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1994-2010 Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disability Exchange Programs

Costa Rica, England, Japan and Mexico

About the Programs: Every year since 1994, MIUSA has led a delegation of U.S. emerging leaders with disabilities, ages 18 - 24, to Mexico, Japan, England or Costa Rica for a 16-day exchange program focused on leadership, disability rights and cross-cultural sharing. Each program incorporates interactive workshops on disability rights and leadership, giving delegates the opportunity to engage with leaders from local disability organizations. Delegates also have the opportunity to participate in a volunteer service project, and experience language immersion, food and culture by living with a local host family.

Sponsor for the programs is The New York Community Trust, DeWitt Wallace/Youth Travel Enrichment Fund, established in Community Funds by the co-founder of The Reader’s Digest Association.

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2008-2010 International Leadership, Employment and Disability (I-LEAD) Exchange Programs

Eugene, Oregon

About the Programs: Since 2008, MIUSA has been implementing a series of international exchange programs focused on employment for people with disabilities worldwide. Through the Employment Strategies: Building Disability and Leadership Skills Initiative, MIUSA is equipping people with and without disabilities, working along in different countries, across diverse sectors and employing a range of strategies, to expand opportunities for employment of people with disabilities.

I-LEAD 2008, Eugene, Oregon:  Sixteen leaders with disabilities from Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru participated in a 3-week program to exchange best practices, build networks of support, strengthen leadership skills, and create concrete action plans for promoting employment of people with disabilities in their countries.

I-LEAD Professional 2009, Eugene, Oregon: Seventeen professionals with and without disabilities, working in government, business, education, community development, and disability rights organizations traveled to Eugene for a 3-week program, to observe first-hand strategies that are working in the U.S. to equalize employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. I-LEAD Professional delegates represented Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.

I-LEAD Advanced 2010, Eugene, Oregon: Approximately 15 influential leaders, professionals, policy makers and officials with and without disabilities, from nine countries in Latin America will travel to Eugene for an intensive 14-day program designed to build the capacity of governments, businesses, schools and disabled peoples organizations to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Sponsors of the I-LEAD programs include the Walmart Foundation, MIUSA and generous contributions from local businesses in Eugene and Springfield, Oregon.

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1999-2010 Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Preparatory and Reentry Programs

Eugene, Oregon

About the Programs: MIUSA has provided Preparatory and Reentry workshops for high school students with disabilities who are on scholarships to the United States through the U.S. Department of State's FLEX and/or YES programs. In these workshops, students discuss disability specific issues they may encounter during their semester or one-year study abroad program in the U.S. The FLEX program places high school students from Eurasia and the YES students are from predominately Muslim countries. During the week-long MIUSA programs, students participate in challenging, inclusive activities and attend interactive seminars in which they learn about strategies for achieving equal opportunities for citizens with disabilities. All these young students with disabilities generate action plans to address priority issues facing people with disabilities in their home communities. MIUSA’s workshops are intended to help the students reflect on the disability-related aspects of their experience in the United States and to prepare for returning to their home countries.

Sponsors of the FLEX and YES program, and MIUSA’s Preparatory and Reentry programs are funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

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1997, 2003, 2006, 2008 & 2010 International Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD)

Eugene, Oregon
 

About the Programs: This innovative 3-week program brings together 25 - 30 new and emerging women leaders with disabilities to strengthen leadership skills, exchange strategies, create new visions and build networks of support to improve the lives of women with disabilities around the world. WILD programs incorporate interactive workshop and activities focused on policy and legislation, fundraising, using the media, proposal writing, inclusive education and employment. Programs are also culminated with the Gender Disability and Development Institute (GDDI), a 3-day retreat where delegates meet and collaborate with representatives from international development organizations, to promote inclusion of women with disabilities in microenterprise, education, health, HIV/AIDS and other development programs.

WILD 1997: Approximately 36 women leaders with disabilities came together from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, France, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Bank, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

WILD 2003: Approximately 30 women leaders with disabilities came together from Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Georgia, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Palau, Panama, Peru, Russia, Thailand, Uganda, USA, Vietnam

WILD 2006: Approximately 30 women leaders with disabilities came together from Albania, Bangladesh, Belarus, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, the Philippines, Peru, Republic of Georgia, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Uganda, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

WILD 2008: Approximately 30 women leaders with disabilities came together from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia.

WILD 2010: Approximately 25 women leaders with disabilities will come together from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the Pacific.

Sponsors for the WILD programs have included Abilis, Alcoa Foundation, Global Fund for Women, Kellogg Foundation, MIUSA, USAID, the Walmart Foundation and generous contributions from the Eugene, Springfield and Veneta communities.

2007-2008 U.S./Bahrain: Youth Citizenship for Disability Inclusion Exchange Program

Eugene, Oregon & Manama, Bahrain

About the Exchange: In collaboration with the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, this innovative reciprocal exchange program brought together young leaders with and without disabilities from Bahrain and the United States to foster mutual understanding and respect, built leadership skills, and developed strategies for increasing citizen participation by youth in both countries.

July 2007, Eugene Oregon: Fourteen youth with and without disabilities from Bahrain traveled to Eugene for a 3-week program focused on priority issues for youth with disabilities, including disability rights, education, governance and leadership development. Delegates also took part in a 5-day leadership program with youth with and without disabilities from the U.S., including two nights camping at an accessible location and volunteer community service projects.

March 2008, Manama Bahrain: Ten youth with and without disabilities from throughout the U.S. traveled to Bahrain for a 3-week program, where they joined their Bahraini peers for a series of interactive workshops, seminars and site visits addressing priority issues for youth with disabilities. Delegates participated in a 5-day retreat to Hawar Island, experienced Bahraini culture and traditions with community members, and volunteered at the Al Areen Wildlife Park.

Sponsors of the 2007/2008 U.S./Bahrain: Youth Citizenship for Disability Inclusion Exchange Program include the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with generous contributions from various sponsors, including the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, the Bahraini Ministry of Sports, U.S. Embassy and Hands on Video Relay (HORV).

2002-2003 U.S./Japan Disability Professional Exchange

Tokyo, Japan & Eugene, Oregon

About the Exchange: In collaboration with the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, this reciprocal professional exchange program fostered professional collaboration and public dialogue on contemporary disability issues in Japan and the United States.

February 2003, Tokyo Japan: Eight professionals with and without disabilities from across the United States traveled to Tokyo, Japan for a 16-day program, in which delegates met with representatives from the Japan Council on Independent Living Centers, Legal Advocacy for the Defense of Persons with Disabilities (LADD), Canon, and Waseda Shotengai District Public Relations Office. Delegates also spoke at two symposiums on legislation and equal opportunities for education and employment in the U.S. and Japan.

September 2002, Eugene Oregon: A delegation of disability professionals and emerging leaders from Japan traveled to Eugene to for an intensive 10-day program. Delegates met with professionals administering inclusive education and employment programs in the U.S., took part in seminars on the ADA and IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and spoke of the work of disability rights activists in Japan at a community public forum.

Sponsors of the program include The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership.

2001 Loud, Proud & Passionate! International Leadership Exchange for Women with Disabilities from Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan & Eugene, Oregon

About the Exchange: In January 2001, four U.S. professionals traveled to Tashkent, Uzbekistan to help facilitate the first national conference of women with disabilities from Uzbekistan. In May 2001, fifteen of these women traveled to Eugene, Oregon to take part in an intensive 18-day leadership training program. The delegation visited schools for Deaf and blind children, and public schools where disabled students are fully integrated into mainstream classrooms. Delegates also met with lawmakers at the state capitol, took part in workshops on using the media, coalition building and grant writing and explored adapted recreation and sports. Delegates returned to Uzbekistan more fully equipped with the skills, ideas and know-how they need to affect positive change for women with disabilities in Uzbekistan.

Sponsors of this program include the U.S. Department of States, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

2000 U.S./ Vietnam Disability Professionals Exchange Program

Eugene, Oregon

About the Program: In October 2000, seven professionals with and without disabilities working in the disability fields of education, employment, rehabilitation, health and community integration in Vietnam, traveled to Eugene for a 3-week intensive program. Delegates met with U.S. professionals involved with programs for people with disabilities in the United States, and participated in interactive workshops on the Americans with Disabilities Act and the IDEA.

Sponsors of this program include the U.S. Department of States, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

2000 Global Options for Women with Disabilities in Leadership and Employment

Eugene, Oregon

About the Exchange: In July 2000, twenty-five young women with disabilities from the United States, France, Guatemala, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Zambia and Zimbabwe convened in Eugene for a cross-cultural exchange program. During the 2-week program, delegates took part in intensive workshops and hands-on activities to identify critical issues and strategies for leadership, examine new trends in international development and explore international development as an arena for employment and partnership. Delegates also sharpened proposal-writing skills and developed funding strategies for projects around the world during a 2-day retreat on the Oregon coast.

Sponsors of the program include the U.S. Department of Labor, The Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities and Rotary International, with generous contributions from the Global Fund for Women, local Rotary Clubs, and businesses and individuals in the Eugene and Springfield communities.