Goals of the National Clearinghouse on Disability & Exchange

The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by Mobility International USA to increase the number of people with disabilities participating in all types of international opportunities. These opportunities include study abroad, work abroad, teach abroad, international research projects, international volunteering and professional development.

Currently, students with disabilities make up about 9 percent of the student body at a typical U.S. university. Yet only three percent of the students with disabilities participate in international programs. To increase participation of people with disabilities in international exchange programs the NCDE:

• Provides free technical advising to exchange providers specific concerns/ questions on how to become more inclusive in the programs they offer, along with advice on specific concerns.
• Reaches out to people with disabilities through schools, disabled student offices, independent living centers and conferences to inform them about international opportunities.
• Answers Information and Referral requests from both exchange providers and people with disabilities.
• Develops resources and publications available to order or download.