NCDE Brochure on Inclusive International Exchange

Ways to Access the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange Brochure:

1. View the HTML text from the brochure on this page.
2. Download the designed brochure as an accessible PDF document from the section below. A large print, accessible Word document is also available to download below.
3. Contact the Clearinghouse to order print or braille brochures or to request a text-only version in Spanish, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Urdu, Korean, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), and Vietnamese.
4. Play a YouTube video of the brochure interpreted into American Sign Language or International Sign

Brochure Text

About Us

The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange is a project of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, designed to increase the participation of people with disabilities in international exchange between the United States and other countries, and is supported in its implementation by Mobility International USA.

We provide tips and strategies for people with disabilities and international program staff on how to prepare for an inclusive international exchange.

Be sure to visit the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange’s main webpage for additional information and resources.

Building bridges between the international exchange and disability communities.

Resources for Schools & Organizations

• Free consultation on participant issues: “A blind student wants to go to Spain, where do I start?”
• Assistance understanding participant rights: “What rights does an international student with a disability have in the U.S.?”
• Trainings and collaborative initiatives
• Materials and tools to plan for inclusion
• Outreach: videos, posters, postcards, podcasts, publications, and more!

“After talking to your staff and receiving many resources and contacts, I feel confident that our international office is on the right track to support our visiting international fellows to thrive during their program.”

Resources for Program Participants

• Disability tipsheets for travel planning: “What should I bring with me abroad?”
• Funding options to go abroad: “How can I afford it?”
• Disability organizations worldwide to connect with before you go
• Strategies from people with disabilities who have gone abroad
• A World Awaits You (AWAY) publication: A Journal of Success in International Exchange for People with Disabilities

“As a wheelchair user who needs personal assistance, information like this makes me happy…I have always felt that overseas experiences were so far out of my reach and now I know what is possible.”

Discover a World of Opportunities: Volunteer, Study, Teach, Research, Intern

Tips for International Exchange Programs

1. Add disability-inclusive language for outreach
2. Share stories of people with disabilities on social media
3. Educate staff on disability support
4. Budget for reasonable accommodations
5. Ensure equal access to your program

Tips for Participants with Disabilities

1. Research funding options, including scholarships
2. Learn about disability culture in your host country
3. Connect with travelers with similar disabilities
4. Confirm you have full insurance coverage abroad
5. Create a back-up plan for emergencies

“All my life, people told me my disability would not stop me from doing whatever I wanted to do. Successfully completing a trip abroad allowed me to really believe that.” – Haben Girma

^{Copyright © 2015 Mobility International USA, All rights reserved. This publication may be printed for educational purposes only.}

^{Information provided throughout this publication has been compiled by the National Clearinghouse on Disability (NCDE), is a project of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, designed to increase the participation of people with disabilities in international exchange between the United States and other countries, and is supported in its implementation by Mobility International USA.}