23 exchange students with disabilities arrived from 16 countries to Eugene, Oregon, for a week of hands-on workshops on their rights, opportunities and tools for access and inclusion, before departing for a life-changing year as exchange students in high schools across the U.S.
MIUSA met with Russian college students with disabilities studying in the U.S., offering information on disability rights and resources for accessible studies and inclusive activities, to ensure a successful and fulfilling year in the U.S.
Building Resources and Partnerships for Inclusive Communities in Armenia – The 3.5-year technical assistance program concluded, with two disability-led independent living resource centers established and operating in two regions of Armenia.
Virtual and in-person technical assistance and trainings for disabled leaders and local government officials on independent living and personal assistant services policies.
This 10-day program brought 15 leaders from government and non-government organizations in Vietnam to learn about model programs, services and support systems for people with disabilities in Eugene, Oregon.
Local and general elections in Nepal provided an opportunity to educate government stakeholders and the disability community to ensure implementation of disability rights policy and legislation. In 2023, the project supported 11 Nepali disabled people’s organizations (DPOs) with small grants for disability rights advocacy actions.
MIUSA unveiled the completion of the Loud, Proud & Passionate!® Mural in the heart of downtown Eugene, Oregon. The historic ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by MIUSA CEO & Co-Founder Susan Sygall and Mayor of Eugene Lucy Vinis, provided snippets of the incredible power of disabled women in leadership.
Nearly 60 women leaders with disabilities from 37 countries, who are all alumni of MIUSA’s Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD), gathered for this online event. In addition to learning about MIUSA’s recent projects partnering with WILD alumni, WILD women met in small groups to share their recent successes, challenges, and advice on various areas of interest.
MIUSA awarded five small grants for WILD alumni-led “Inclusive Movement Building Projects” in Albania, Egypt, Nepal, Panama and Uganda. Projects focus on building collaboration between disabled women’s movements and other allied groups/networks, such as the environmental movement, the LGBTQ community, the Roma community, women’s rights movements, and sexual health and reproductive rights movement.
Virtual technical assistance focused on gender, disability inclusion and access, which included a virtual leadership training with 20 disabled women, co-facilitated with local disabled women leaders.
MIUSA provided an organizational assessment and pilot training on disability inclusion for a cohort of 25 USIP staff. Two MIUSA alumni from conflict-affected countries were also invited to offer their unique perspectives on disability-inclusive peacebuilding as part of the training. Four additional trainings will reach up to 150 USIP staff.
Taught by MIUSA staff at the University of Oregon, this course provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to gain a human rights model perspective for looking at global issues of disability inclusion and justice.
MIUSA provided technical assistance related to disability inclusion and leadership to finalists of the “Lego Build a World of Play Challenge” and the “Maternal and Infant Health Challenge”
Activities for members this year included individualized advising and a member-presented webinar on “Sharing Best Practices for Disability Inclusion.”
Hosted at Gallaudet University, this gathering brought together 24 representatives from disabled peoples’ and international exchange organizations to explore ways to collaborate and increase the participation of people with disabilities in international exchange.
A Primer for International Education Professionals – This 8-page booklet offers helpful guidance around best practices in recruiting, advising, and supporting individuals with disabilities in study abroad and beyond.
A full day workshop that introduced a cohort of 5 U.S. youth with disabilities to the range of opportunities for participation in international exchange and provided guidance for addressing disability-related considerations.
A program that engaged 5 exchange alumni in completing outreach activities of their own design to advance disability inclusion in international exchange.
In 2024, MIUSA will be continuing several of the above projects, as well as some exciting new programs and activities. Our work advancing disability rights and leadership globally® will include:
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