To increase the number of people with disabilities involved in international exchange, study abroad, research and volunteer service overseas, we count on the guidance and support of advocates in the fields of international exchange and disability rights and services. That’s why MIUSA co-leads the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) Roundtable Consortium along with NCDE’s sponsor, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The Roundtable Consortium is comprised of twenty-six leading international exchange and disability organizations that meet annually for members to stay updated on organizational activities and trends in the field, share ideas for future collaborative projects and information dissemination, and to hear personal testimonials from exchange alumni with disabilities.
The Roundtable Consortium extends a special welcome to its three newest members:
National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
As the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities, NCIL can play a valuable role in representing the perspectives of the disability community and advising on operating under a disability-rights framework. In recent years, NCIL has devoted greater interest in independent living movements internationally while its constituents of disabled youth have increasingly expressed a desire to have meaningful experiences abroad.
2Gether-International
As a network of young disabled leaders worldwide, founded and led by a young disabled person with a breadth of international experiences, 2Gether-International is well-situated to reach more youth with disabilities about the life-changing opportunities offered through international exchange.
Cultural Vistas
Through its many diverse inbound and outbound exchange programs for students and professionals, Cultural Vistas promotes global understanding to create more informed and engaged citizens. The organization counts many champions for disability rights and inclusion among their staff and alumni, and we look forward to pooling their resources, strategies, and experiences with ours.
Membership
Current member organizations include:
- Access Living
- AFS-USA, Inc.
- Alliance for International Exchange
- American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
- American Councils
- Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
- Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
- Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
- Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET)
- Cross-Cultural Solutions
- Cultural Vistas
- Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
- Diversity Abroad
- Global Ties U.S.
- Institute of International Education (IIE)
- IREX
- Mobility International USA (MIUSA)
- NAFSA — Association of International Educators
- National Council on Independent Living (NCIL)
- PACER Center
- United States Department of State / Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
- United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD)
- University of California, Education Abroad Program
- University of Minnesota, Access Abroad
- World Learning
- 2Gether-International
