Featured Country: India

About India

Few other places, just by name, have the ability to to send the imagination traveling like India.  A land of vibrant temples, colorful festivals, diverse people, rich cultures, ancient religions, exotic animals and beautiful scenery, India is a magical place ripe for exploration by the adventurous traveler.

In the heart of South Asia, India borders Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar and Pakistan and is enveloped by the warm, azure-blue Indian Ocean. India is the fourth largest country in the world by geography and second largest by population.  India sits at the crossroads of the ancient overland spice and silk trade routes which allowed diverse civilizations and religions to mingle and forge the rich culture of modern-day India.

Disability Information

India has several laws enacted to ensure the rights of people with disabilities the most important and comprehensive of which is the 'Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act' of 1995.  The general guding principles behind this piece of legislation are empowerment of persons with disabilities, promoting equality and participation of persons with disabilities and eliminating discriminations of all kinds. The Act provides for access to education, employment and vocational training, job reservation, research and manpower development, creation of a barrier-free environment and rehabilitation.

While this law is seen as a major step forward for people in India with disabilities, many Indian citizens still don't know what their rights are or where to access information and are therefore not able to take full advantage of their rights in Indian society. For more information on disability laws in India go to http://www.disabilityindia.org/disabilitylawandrights.cfm

Accessibility in general

Many people, disabled or not, may find the built environment in India to be a challenge depending on where one travels.  While laws have been enacted to ensure access to the built environment by everyone, these laws are only a sporadic reality in urban areas

India's Department of Tourism has advised hotels to adopt guidelines regarding accessibility in their facilities including accessible elevators, parking spaces and more.  For a full list of programs go to: http://www.disabilityindia.org/dept.cfm

Disability Organizations

Disability organizations in India can be an very useful resource before, during and even after your exchange experience in-country. For a comprehensive listof organizations working in India, search MIUSA's Disability Organizations  database.

Exchange Programs

There are nearly 100 exchange programs in India listed in MIUSA's exchange database. Check them out and begin your Indian adventure today!  To find more opportunities in India, visit IIE Passport , Study Abroad.com or GoAbroad.com.

Language Programs

Interested in learning Hindi, Urdu or any of the other 21 official languages of India? Below is a list of language programs all over India.

Hindi is the national language of India and is spoken by almost half a billion people in India and rest of the world. Hindi is the second most spoken language in the world after Chinese. It allows one to communicate with a far wider variety of people in India than English which is only spoken by around five percent of the population.

There is no better way to learn a language than to live where it is spoken everyday!

• Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre
  Tharayil Mukku
  Aranmula village
  Pathanamthitta Dist., Kerala 689 533
  India
  Tel: (0091)-468-2214483, 2310451
  Learn and Teach at the same time in India. Learn Hindi, Sanskrit or Malayalam or two of them together, living in a Kerala village and teach English to poor village children. A genuine experience of India all in the beautiful back drop of a village at the Vijnana Kala Vedi Cultural Centre.
• Learn Hindi
  312 / 6, Raja Park, Valmiki Marg
  Jaipur, Rajasthan 302004
  India
  Tel: 0091 - 98291 - 53949
  Fax: 0091 141 2622098
  The courses are of different time duration that can be designed as per the interest of student and the availability of the teacher. The offered Hindi Language lessons are given by private teachers thus making the course an individual course for you. At present we offer language courses in Jaipur, the capital of the famous colorful state of Rajasthan in India.
• Where There Be Dragons
  Box 4651
  Boulder, CO 80306
  United States
  Tel: 800.982.9203
  Fax: 303.413.0857
  Based in Varanasi, the City of Light, our India semester program immerses students in an intensely thriving community located just above the banks of the Ganges River. Part of Varanasi's appeal lies in its diverse blend of cultures and religions. In Varanasi, students have the chance to see Hindus walk through dawn light for a ritual dip in their cherished Ganges, and they can learn as well from the communities of Buddhists, Jains, Muslims, Sikhs and other devoted people who live and practice in Varanasi.

For more information on language learning opportunities in India 'Google' "India Language Schools"

Fellowships, Scholarships and Funding

Find funding for your international exchange by visiting such websites as IIE Passport's Study Abroad Funding or the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange's (NCDE) financial aid information . NCDE lists U.S. Department of State programs and funding, disability organizations offering scholarships, and scholarship search engines. A sample of funding opportunities is listed below:

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Assistant Manager
Institute of International Education
520 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 740
Houston, TX 77027
Tel:: 713-621-6300
Fax: (713) 621-0876
Email: gilman@iie.org

These scholarships provide up to $5,000 for undergraduates to pursue overseas study and/or internships. Applicants must be U.S. citizens (permanent residents are not eligible) and must be receiving (or provide proof that they will receive) a Federal Pell Grant. The Gilman seeks to fund students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad (minorities, students with disabilities, etc.) and those who choose non-traditional study abroad destinations. The award does not apply to summer-only programs and award recipients must fulfill a service requirement upon their return home.

Application Deadline: Early April, Mid-September

NSEP/Boren Graduate Fellowships

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Graduate Fellowships enable U.S. graduate students to pursue specialization in area and language study or to add an international dimension to their education. Boren Fellowships support students pursuing the study of languages, cultures, and world regions that are critical to U.S. national security and less frequently studied by U.S. graduate students. The maximum award for overseas study is $10,000 per semester. For more information, go to the website listed above or contact OIP.

Application Deadline: January 30

United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) - Fulbright

USEFI promotes mutual understanding between the nationals of India and the nationals of the U.S. through educational exchange of outstanding scholars, professionals and students. USEFI also arranges visits by U.S. scholars to Indian institutions for teaching, curriculum development and consultancy. Indian academic institutes may host the U.S. scholars under Visiting Lecturer and Senior Specialist programs.
Over 100 Fulbright grants in the following categories are available to U.S. nationals:

Pre-Doctoral Students and Graduating Seniors, Islamic Civilizations Initiative Awards, Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad, Teacher's Exchange, Senior Research Scholar Program, Faculty Research Abroad, Middle East North Asia Central South Asia Regional Research, Indo-American Environmental Leadership Program, Visiting Lecturer Program, Senior Specialist Program, Alumni Initiative Award, Group Projects Abroad Program, New Century Scholar Program.

Some Americans enroll directly in India Educational Institutions. India has one of the largest higher education systems in the world, with nearly 10 million students, over 300 universities and 16, 000 colleges. The website of the University Grants Commission and the Association of Indian Universities , provide additional information on Indian higher education.

Other Scholarship Resources

CIEE Scholarships

Academy of Educational Development

Success Stories

• An Indian Student's Fulbright Experience in the U.S.
• India's Jawaharlal Nehru University
• A U.S. State Department sponsored professional exchange to India by a U.S. blind woman and her guide dog
  

Links

Kiasso
Website of a sign language tour company which also provides information, TTY/fax/computer use for Deaf travelers

Lonely Planet
Travel website with information on countries.  The 'Thorntree' message board also has a Travelers with Disabilities section.

Society for Accessible Travel and Accessibility 
Information on countries, motels, and tour companies for those with disabilities

India Education 
National network of education in India

IndiaEdu.com
List of schools, universities and colleges all over India

Incredible India
Official tourism website of the government of India

National Portal of India
Government of India website

Although efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, MIUSA/NCDE cannot be held liable for inaccuracy, misinterpretation or complaints arising from these listings. Mention of an organization, company, service or resource should not be construed as an endorsement by MIUSA/NCDE. Please advise NCDE of any inaccuracies you may find.