Fourteen young women with disabilities from the San Francisco Bay Area convened for an intensive, two-day training. The training was designed to increase leadership skills and disability pride, as well as explore opportunities to launch an international career. Following the training, MIUSA is providing stipends for graduates to multiply the impact of the workshop by conducting one two-hour session for other girls and women (with and without disabilities) in their communities.
MIUSA hosted an arrival orientation in July 2017 for a student participating in the Year of Exchange in America for Russians (YEAR) program. She traveled to Eugene, Oregon, before embarking on a year of study at a U.S. university.
The YEAR program provides an opportunity for students to live in the U.S. for a year while learning about American society, educating Americans about Russian history and culture, improving English speaking skills, strengthening knowledge in an academic field, and experiencing immersion in a local community.
Bringing together 21 women with diverse disabilities in the capital of Bangladesh, Ms. Desai shared leadership principles and practical skills to empower women with disabilities and build a network for disability advocacy. Each participant was selected based on her commitment to pursuing higher education and leadership positions in the community.
In Bangladesh, the belief still remains that women with disabilities should stay sheltered in their homes and many young women therefore have limited access to and awareness of educational and community resources.
Percent of YES Students with Disabilities by Recruitment Organization (2007-2016)
Infographic shown as portions of an apple.
72% AFS
23% IEARN
< 1% American Councils
< 1% AMIDEAST
< 1% IRIS
YES Students with Disabilities by Disability Type (2007-2016), as shown on a pie chart.
44% Deaf/HOH
35% Blind/Low Vision
19% Physical Disability
20% Non-apparent
FLEX Students with Disabilities by Disability Type (2007-2016), as shown on a pie chart.
59% Physical Disability
8% Deaf/HOH
4% Non-apparent
29% Blind/Low Vision
Total Number of Students by Disability Type (2007-2016)
- 40% Physical Disability
- 32% Blind/ Low Vision
- 25% Deaf/HOH
- 2% Non-apparent
Students with Physical Disabilities
- 37% Cerebral Palsy
- 11% Scoliosis
- 7% Short Stature
- 8% Amputee
- 3% Spina Bifida
- 1% Polio
- 1% Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
- 32% Other
Number of Students with Disabilities by Placement Organization (2007-2016)
Depicted as layers on an image of a pencil.
Percent of Deaf or Blind Students Placed at Specialized Schools vs. Mainstream Schools (2007-2016)
Illustrated by highlighted symbols of students and a schoolhouse
- 50% of students who are Deaf are placed at specialized schools vs. in mainstream public schools
- 25% of students who are blind are placed at specialized schools vs. in mainstream public schools
Blind Square
This connects with your iPhone's GPS functions to bring you live vocalized information about where you're at and where you're going. Open the application and let it run in the background, as it tells you the street you're walking on, addresses that you pass, cross streets, and landmarks of interest. Do searches for the nearest breakfast spot or the convention center, and Blind Square will help get you there. It is excellent for getting oriented to a new place, or just getting the name of that street when there is no one around.
The Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs are competitive, merit-based scholarship programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Over the last ten years, more than 250 students with disabilities from 37 countries have participated these life-changing youth programs.
"The right to health for women with disabilities must be respected and taken as a priority by the community and the government!"
WILD-South Sudan participant
In South Sudan, like many parts of the developing world, women and girls with disabilities have historically been denied their right to sexual and reproductive health.
A line graph showing the total number of FLEX and YES Students with Disabilities, by Year, 2007-2016
Number of FLEX Students with Disabilities, by Year
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2007 = 16
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2008 = 14
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2009 = 12
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2010 = 12
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2011 = 12
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2012 = 14
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2013 = 9
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2014 = 20
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2015 = 11
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2016 = 14
At just 16 years old, Ana was so confident that she and her wheelchair would soon be on their way to the U.S., she told practically everyone she knew that she had applied to the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
Although Ana didn’t make the final selection pool the first time, she tried again a year later.
"When I applied the second time, I didn’t tell anybody except my mom. Most of my family found out that I was going to fly two days before my flight when we had my farewell party. They were shocked!"
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