agenda

Detailed agenda

Symposium Opening and Welcome: Disability Inclusion in International Exchange

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• Matthew Lussenhop, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Watch Matt's video message.

• David Levin, Senior Program Manager and Diversity Coordinator, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)

• Monica Malhotra, Program Manager, NCDE, Mobility International USA

• ECA ADA 30th Commemorative Video. Play the video here.

Session 1 | The Impact of International Exchange on Disability Rights Locally, Nationally, and Globally

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The many benefits of international exchange for persons with disabilities is clear, providing an enhanced global perspective and for many, an increased desire and ability to address disability rights and inclusion, in communities and countries worldwide. Come learn from the experiences and perspectives of disability rights leaders who have paved the way for people with disabilities participating in international exchanges and its impact on advancing disability rights globally.

• Judy Heumann, Disability Rights Activist

• Cindy Lewis, Mobility International USA

• Sara Minkara, Disability Rights Activist

• David Anyaele, Disability Rights Activist, International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) alumni from Nigeria

• Moderator: Monica Malhotra, NCDE, Mobility International USA

Session 2 | Get to Know the NCDE: An Introduction to the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE)

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Come meet the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) team, learn its history, and explore the many resources and services it provides for people with disabilities and professional planning for an inclusive international exchange program.

• David Levin, U.S. Department of State

• Johileny Merán, NCDE, Mobility International USA

• Monica Malhotra, NCDE, Mobility International USA

• Ashley Holben, NCDE, Mobility International USA

• Justin Harford, NCDE, Mobility International USA

Session 3 | Fulbright Impact in the Field: Disability Rights, Inclusion, and the International Legacy of the ADA

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The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is a U.S. civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and all public and private places available to the public. In celebration of the ADA’s 30th Anniversary, the Fulbright Program will convene a panel of alumni scholars with disabilities, accessibility and inclusion advocates, and legal experts to explain, reflect on, and envision the future of the ADA’s impact in the United States and around the world. Topics of conversation will include contemporary issues in the disability rights movement, accessibility and inclusion in an international context, and the experiences of scholars abroad. *Hosted by Fulbright. Separate Registration Required

• Moderator: Arlene Kanter, PhD (2009 U.S. Scholar to Israel)

• Istou Diallo (2018 U.S. Fulbright Student to India)

• Joseph Hill, PhD (2007 U.S. Fulbright Student to Italy)

• Pintu Kumar (2015 Visiting Scholar from India)

Regional Discussion Forums

Watch the recordings on YouTube: Europe; Asia and the Pacific; Africa and the Middle East; Latin America and The Caribbean

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People with disabilities live in and travel to every region of the world! What are some of the resources they use to navigate accessibility? The Regional Forums will be an opportunity for attendees to swap questions, experiences, resources and tips with other individuals with disabilities who have experienced international exchange in one of four world regions (Europe; Asia and the Pacific; Africa and the Middle East; Latin America and The Caribbean). The goal is for attendees to gain confidence that people with disabilities can have positive exchange experiences abroad, regardless of the destination! NCDE staff will facilitate breakout discussions by region.

Session 4 | Careers in International Exchange: Perspectives from Professionals with Disabilities

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People with disabilities have unique experiences and expertise needed to shape the future of international exchange, not just as program participants but as the leaders who make these programs succeed: from study abroad advisors to program administrators to faculty leaders and beyond. In this session, people with disabilities will share their experiences working in international exchange and tips for recruiting and retaining greater disability leadership in the field.

• India Ochs, U.S. Department of State

• Irene Scott, Education Abroad, Texas A&M University

• Andani Kholinar, Department of English, Texas A&M University

• Moderator: Justin Harford, NCDE, Mobility International USA

Session 5 | Disability and Intersectionality: A Conversation with International Exchange Alumni with Disabilities

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We all experience identity in different ways, but going abroad often challenges us to explore identity in new and surprising ways. In anticipation of the upcoming edition of NCDE's A World Awaits You (AWAY) journal addressing intersectionality and exchange, a panel of international exchange alumni with disabilities and other diverse identities will reflect on their experiences abroad, touching on the dynamics and interplay of disability, nationality, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, cultural heritage, religion, and more. Their stories will demonstrate how international exchange can help us better understand our own identities and sense of community.

• Emely Recinos, 2018 Gilman Scholar to Argentina

• Geraldine Dang, 2017 Gilman Scholar to Singapore

• Istou Diallo, 2018 U.S. Fulbright Student to India

• Moderator: Ashley Holben, NCDE, Mobility International USA

Session 6 | Building Inclusive Virtual Exchanges

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Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, many international exchange organizations and institutions have offered virtual opportunities for citizen diplomats to engage with world cultures, either as standalone programs or as complementary components of in-person exchange programs. With the increased use of distance and e-learning technologies to support virtual exchanges, there is a need to focus on the potential barriers to accessibility that these systems may present to participants with disabilities. In this session, presenters will share practices for planning for accessibility in the design and implementation phases of virtual exchange programs.

• Meredith Lopez, IREX

• Rebecca Berman, American Councils

• Jamie Herrera, Digital Accessibility Engineer

• Justin Harford, NCDE, Mobility International USA

Disability at the Movies | "Opening Doors to College," A Film by Dan Habib

Visit the film's website.

Watch the recording on YouTube here.

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Hundreds of colleges across the U.S. are opening doors to higher education for students with intellectual disability. The 36-minute film “Opening Doors to College” shows how students are leading this inclusion revolution as they immerse themselves in classes, residential life, extracurricular activities, and the entire college experience at Millersville and Temple Universities. The film screening will include captions and audio descriptions. A discussion with one of the film's Executive Producers and with one of the college students featured in the film will follow the screening. As doors to college open to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, are doors to study abroad and other international opportunities opening as well?

• Thomas Neuville, Millersville University

• Missy Jackson, Millersville University

Session 7 | Disability and Exchange: A Toolkit for International Exchange Practitioners

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Plan for inclusion from the very beginning and equip yourself with the resources and tools to support and fully integrate both American and international participants with disabilities in all types of international exchange programs. Come learn from practitioners from study abroad, international student support, and a professional exchange provider on how to build a toolkit when planning an inclusive exchange program.

• David Levin, U.S. Department of State

• Heidi Soneson, University of Wisconsin - River Falls

• Cory Owen, The Julliard School

• Sue Minder, Willamette University

• Sarah Amin, Institute of International Education (IIE)

• Moderator: Monica Malhotra, NCDE, Mobility International USA

Session 8 | Innovation and Impact: NCDE "Access to Exchange" Externships

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This year the NCDE launched the first Access to Exchange Externships. The goal is to educate more people with disabilities about access to international exchange and the benefits of participating. Inspired by their own exchange experiences, our 2020 cohort engaged in a variety of projects to encourage more disabled people to study or volunteer abroad. Join us for a conversation about their experience and projects that included a podcast series, a video series, Zoom interviews, blog, and an accessibility guide.

• Sheila Xu, Extern

• Johna Wright, Extern

• Bobbi-Angelica Morris, Extern

• Moderator: Justin Harford, NCDE, Mobility International USA

New Directions in International Exchange: Closing Remarks and Next Steps

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• Anna Landre, Georgetown University student; Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) alumni; disability activists

• Esma Gumberidze, Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program alumni - Georgia; disability activists

• Monica Malhotra, NCDE, Mobility International USA