"In Germany I learned how to communicate effectively with people. I started out using gestures and left knowing four languages, including German Sign. The people there gave me a different perspective and taught me a few lessons in life." Sara Bianco, Deaf AFS participant to Germany

Research conducted of 1500 AFS alumni, found that Sara is not alone in the benefits she gained from her overseas experience. The study 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, Sara is alone in that not enough high school students who are Deaf or have disabilities have taken the chance to study abroad. 

Almost a decade after her AFS experience, Sara Bianco volunteered to go to classrooms of youth who are Deaf or have disabilities in her hometown of Chicago to promote the value of the experience. She encourages their teachers to identify interested students so she can mentor them to apply. Other organizations can tap into their alumni to do the same.

• Do you not yet have alumni with disabilities? Contact the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange for a peer mentor or a video to help with a presentation. Then have your staff and volunteers learn about disability etiquette and tips to create a welcoming program. Also refer students to the A World Awaits You Online Magazines for Youth.
• Each year Mobility International USA conducts a Reentry Workshop for youth with disabilities from Eurasia who have studied for a year in the United States. These youth return home to encourage others with disabilities to seek out international experiences. Read about one student's experience in applying for the FLEX exchange program. Also read about the impact of the inbound and outbound high school exchange programs on youth with disabilities.
• Find someone from the disability community to be on your advisory committees, board of directors or as an intern or staff in your office. Read about the experiences of interns with disabilities and their supervisors at U.S. based exchange offices. For more information, read this booklet on recruiting and accommodating people with disabilities in internship or employment settings.
•  Exhibiting or networking at disability conferences is another way to expand one's pool of participants and hosts. These types of events can easily be found on special education, parent and youth with disabilities national clearinghouse websites. 

"I wanted to thank you again for inviting me to the PACER/ Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers event. I believe that it will really help us to connect with the group. During the evening, I also had two families - one in New Jersery and one in California - ask me about hosting YES students! What a wonderful experience!" Sanaa Nelson, AFS YES program specialist

• Also disability organizations websites often have listings by state, so that individual presentations by recruitment and placement staff or volunteers could be arranged. Here's a few to get started:

1. National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
2. National Center on Secondary Education and Transition
3. The Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers
4. National Youth Leadership Network
5. The Federation for Children with Special Needs
6. Exceptional Parent Magazine
7. Information on U.S. Disability-Specific Organizations

For information on finding participants or host families in other countries, search the Disability Organizations Worldwide database for youth with disabilities organizations worldwide. For more ideas on how to plan international activities for youth with disabilities at summer camps, read about the NCDE's starting early initiative.