U.S. Young Adult Leadership Program

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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 disabled peoples 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.

During the program, delegates become ambassadors of disability rights by sharing cross-cultural disability perspectives with members of the local community. Delegates develop leadership skills, build self-confidence, make friends, and learn foreign languages.

Generous scholarships are available, and first time travelers with disabilities who are from a cultural minority and/or of low socioeconomic status are strongly encouraged to apply every year.

2010 Costa Rica Program

2010 U.S./Costa Rica: Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disability Rights Leadership Exchange Program

Sponsors

Since 1994, MIUSA has received the generous support of 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.