Youth with Disabilities: Building Awareness of International Exchanges
Parents, educators and people who work with youth are in the most direct positions to give youth with disabilities the information and encouragement that they need to pursue international opportunities.
In This Tipsheet:
Starting Early: Youth Exchange Programs
Many exchange organizations seeking to increase their diversity ask staff at the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) "Where can we find youth with disabilities?" Or disability organizations inquire, "We want to encourage youth that we serve to take advantage of international opportunities. What works best?"
The Starting Early initiative seeks to connect the disability and exchange communities through an outreach program to summer camps that serve youth with disabilities. The goals, activities and results of this such a strategy are shared here so that readers in the exchange and disability fields can replicate the project in their own regions and communities.
The goals of a Starting Early initiative are as follows:
- To widely publicize the broad array of international educational exchange opportunities to youth with disabilities, their parents and to professionals who work with disabled youth.
- To create a fun and informative presentation to be given at camps serving youth with disabilities. Through this presentation, campers and staff learn about international opportunities, hear the personal experiences of presenters with disabilities and participate in thought provoking cross-cultural activities.
Starting Early activities were designed to encourage young people with disabilities to think internationally and to foster excitement and confidence in pursuing exchange opportunities.
A Model of Outreach
Begin by gathering an outreach team that is diverse in international experience and in disability type.
- This could include an U.S. exchange program recruiter, regional representative or volunteer alumnus to share about their program details and the benefits of international experiences.
- Other presenters include people from the local disability community, preferably who have been overseas so they can share their personal experiences studying, volunteering and staying with host families abroad, and how important these experiences have been in their lives and the disability-related accommodations they used.
To supplement this information, U.S. campers can be shown the online video, All Abroad! and read the online journal: A World Awaits You - U.S. Teen Issue. International campers outside the U.S. can be shown this online video Young Leaders with Disabilities Succeeding in International Exchange and read the online journal: A World Awaits You - International Youth Issue.
Then its useful to do have an interactive piece for the campers such as the cross-cultural game called Bafa Bafa (distributed through Intercultural Press). In this activity, participants are able to experience some of the excitement and challenge of spending time in another culture.
- The audience is divided into two groups. Each group is assigned a unique culture with certain behaviors, values and ways of interacting. As is turns out, the cultures are quite opposite.
- Small delegations from each culture are sent to visit the other culture. They have tasks to complete that require interacting with each other.
- After experiencing these simulated cross-cultural exchanges several times, the group comes back together for discussion. Each time, this activity generated thoughtful and lively discussion.
The game can be easily adapted so that participants with differing disabilities were able to participate fully. For example, when Deaf youth are present in the group, spoken words can be replaced by gestures or actions. Jumping up and flapping one's arms can become "yes." Touching one's knees and looking down can become "no." Alternatively, when youth with visual impairments were involved, visual cues are changed to tactile or auditory cues. In the past, presenters have found that disabled youth themselves and youth workers are very creative at making workable adaptations.
Following the camp workshops, the outreach team can send a letter and brochure to the parents of campers.
- This letter can explaining the purpose and content of the workshop and the benefits of international experience.
- It can encourage parents to talk with their sons and daughters about their international interests, and explore related websites.
- Staff can also include a link to Teleconference: Yes, Youth with Disabilities Can Travel to Study Abroad and A World Awaits You - Youth Professionals, Teachers and Parents Issue.
Top Five Strategies and Resources Exchange Organizations Can Use
Here are some tips to consider in planning recruitment/outreach for programs:
- Be sure to include camps and organizations that serve youth with disabilities when conducting recruitment presentations. Camps serving youth with disabilities can be located on most major summer camp websites.
- Search NCDE's online database of disability organizations worldwide for contacts in countries where you have programs or in the US. These organizations can be great places through which to do outreach and to learn about disability resources. Outreach in the United States can include contacting the state chapters of:National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities; National Center on Secondary Education and Transition; The Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers; National Youth Leadership Network.
- Send brochures or link to social networks to share about your international programs with youth with disabilities at camps or organizations, and mention that young people with disabilities are welcome to apply as part of your regular recruitment messages.
- For those interested in doing presentations at camps for youth with disabilities this summer, contact NCDE for possible presenters, videos, information sheets, success stories and other resources.
- Advertise your youth exchange programs on youth with disabilities websites such as:
- American Diabetes Association Youth Zone
- Danish Youth with Disabilities
- Exceptional Parent (Children's Page)
- Kids as Self Advocates
- National Youth Leadership Network
- Novita Teens (Australia)
- SKILL: National Bureau of Students with Disabilities Young People's Website (UK)
- Starting-Block (French only)
- Voices4Hope
- Youthhood
You can make a difference in encouraging youth with disabilities to think internationally!
Top 5 Ideas Disability Organizations Can Use
Disability organizations can play a crucial role in encouraging disabled youth to consider international opportunities. Here are some ideas:
- Contact NCDE for information about the benefits of international exchange and the various types of opportunities available to youth. Also invite exchange organizations to present at or send materials to a meeting, camp or event hosted by your organization.
- Show All Abroad!, a video showcasing the major benefits of international exchange and the wide range of opportunities available. It answers frequently asked questions about funding, accommodations abroad, and how to be involved hosting international exchange participants from other countries. Read Youth with Disabilities exchange experiences online!
- Encourage disabled young people to attend international camps in the US.and other opportunities to gain exposure to international cultures.
- Learn about exchange organizations that organize homestays for international visitors/students in your area. Encourage families with disabled youth to become hosts.
- Explore NCDE's online searchable database to learn about these opportunities and exchange programs to share with youth.
Be a part of opening new worlds to youth with disabilities!
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.
