Recruiting Participants with Disabilities for your Programs
Recruitment is an important topic for any underrepresented group in international programs. People with disabilities are often not found in the same places as other participants. It is not uncommon for potential participants with disabilities to attend schools or programs separate from potential participants without disabilities, sometimes called special schools or disability-specific schools. Many participants with disabilities say they went on international programs because of a connection with a disability support organization, or a friend/family member having a similar experience and encouraging the person with a disability. For young people with disabilities their parents play a larger role in their lives for a longer period of time. Therefore, if your program materials can convince the parent that this is a worthwhile experience, you have a better chance of the person with the disability participating.
Recruitment is a strategic issue that must be given careful and deliberate consideration for participants with disabilities:
- Make sure the programs inclusive policies regarding people with disabilities are communicated to ALL staff and volunteers in the organization. If a person with a disability receives a negative response on the first try, that will often be the end of the whole idea of participating in an international program.
- Identify contacts at organizations that are led by and/or work with people with disabilities who could promote your program and its opportunities.
- Develop contacts with special education and adaptive physical education teachers, as well as physical therapists working with youth with disabilities. Their day-to day contact with these participants will help you identify participants with the desire and drive to go abroad.
- Since family plays such a major role in the lives of potential participants with disabilities, consider linking families including siblings and other respected family members with past participant with disabilities who have participated in international programs.
Activity:
Take a few minutes and think about other recruitment strategies for underrepresented groups.
What are other models of recruiting underrepresented groups that can be applied to people with disabilities?
- All Abroad! an informational video for disability audiences that answers questions related to funding, disability-related accommodations and details about the wide range of international opportunities that are available.
- Outreach to Youth with Disabilities
- Best Practices for Campus Collaborations Between Study Abroad and Disability Services