For Youth Exchange Staff
How can your exchange program expand your pool of potential participants and host families? Where can you learn about tips will help you prepare for a student with a disability to participate?
Changing Lives
Research conducted of 1500 AFS alumni worldwide, found that 47% of the alumni became fluent in the host country language, and other benefits were gained in interpersonal and cultural skills (Hammer, 2005). However, not enough high school students who have disabilities have taken the chance to study abroad. Two things need to happen that exchange staff can do to change this:
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Targeting outreach to youth with disabilities so they know the options are open to them.
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Preparing youth exchange staff and volunteers to welcome these students while working with Mobility International USA to resolve potential barriers, whether real or perceived.
Who are the future participants? Some students with disabilities in other countries may attend schools with their nondisabled peers, but outreach to special schools in many countries will be the main place for recruitment.
