Individuals with disabilities, like their non-disabled peers, seek out internships, teaching, and volunteering in order to increase their employment skills and career opportunities. Additionally, they are participating in international opportunities to gain personal development, cross-cultural skills, and to exchange knowledge with communities abroad.
This MIUSA session “Including Participants with Disabilities on Experiential Exchanges” on Friday, June 17 at 8:30-9:45 am assists program providers and advisors in better understanding how to arrange accommodations, negotiate cultural barriers, and provide equal access to individuals with disabilities on these experiential programs abroad.
A vast array of international exchange experiences, which may or may not be tied to academic credit, offer individuals of all ages and professions alternative avenues for learning and applying what they have learned outside of the traditional study abroad structure. Also presenting during the session will be Ola Mahmoud, from the Institute of International Education’s Center for Academic Mobility Research and Impact, on “A Snapshot Study of U.S. Student Participation in Non-Credit Education Abroad and U.S. Institutions’ Data Collection Processes”.
People with disabilities, who globally have lower employment rates in relation to the general population, can find internship, teaching, or professional development opportunities abroad beneficial in building their career experiences, and in showing to potential employers that they are adaptable by taking on international travel.
International volunteerism can be a particularly empowering experience for people with disabilities as they have historically been considered recipients – not providers – of volunteer service. Since many volunteer organizations offer opportunities to work with disability communities overseas, people with disabilities can be valuable role models at these placements.
In any type of placement, people with disabilities daily interactions with the local communities also help dispel stereotypes and change perceptions about what people with disabilities can and cannot do.
This session will share stories of U.S. citizens with a range of disabilities who have participated in experiential programs overseas, and the lessons learned through their involvement. Attendees will learn how to assess their outreach strategies, advising processes, program planning, and partnerships from the perspective of creating opportunities that can work for all.
Learn more about the conference schedule online.
