As international educators, we aspire to make going abroad possible for talented students who believe that it's out of reach. With initiatives like Generation Study Abroad placing emphasis on removing barriers for underrepresented students, it's a prime time to think about how we can effect change within our own spheres of influence, large or small. In this session, presenters will elaborate on efforts to advance overseas opportunities for students with disabilities at the leadership level, while CIEE alumni with disabilities and resident directors from recent programs will share innovative approaches to breaking down everyday barriers.

1. THE NEW
CHAMPIONS FOR
INCLUSION:
STUDY ABROAD
January 8, 2016
Paving the Way for Students with
Disabilities Abroad
Susan Sygall, Mobility International USA CEO
Francisco Diez, CIEE Alicante Center Director
Antoine Craig, “Access the World” Scholar

2. Passport to
Possibilities

3. STUDY ABROAD
65 years leading a mission:
To help people gain understanding,
acquire knowledge, and develop skills
for living in a globally interdependent
and culturally diverse world”.
January 8, 2016 3

4. Alicante, Spain
ALICANTE STUDY CENTER, SPAIN
• 7 students in the last 10 years.
• Distribution: Fall (3), Spring (3), Summer
(1).
January 8, 2016 4
Year
Students
with disabilities
Total
participants
%
2006 1 185 0,54%
2007 0 201 0%
2008 0 234 0%
2009 1 196 0,50%
2010 1 207 0,48%
2011 0 214 0%
2012 1 160 0,68%
2013 1 138 0,72%
2014 1 125 0,80%
2015 1 165 0,60%
RELATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES PARTICIPATING FROM 2006 - 2015
• Known Disabilities: Visual
Impairment, Aural/Cochlear
Implant, Wheelchair,
congenital absence of a limb,
etc.
Alicante

5. Southern Europe Region
January 8, 2016 5
CIEE – SOUTHERN EUROPE REGION
• Italy, France, Portugal, Spain.
• 11 Study Centers.
• Distribution: Fall (19), Spring (23),
Summer (34).
• 74 students in the last 10 years.
Year Southern Europe
2006 3
2007 2
2008 5
2009 7
2010 8
2011 3
2012 9
2013 13
2014 10
2015 14
RELATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES PARTICIPATING FROM 2006 - 2015

6. CIEE / MIUSA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
ANTOINE CRAIG, Virginia Commonwealth
University.
• Alicante , Summer 2015.
• Short program: Modular III (4 weeks).
• Visual Impairment (legally blind: 4%).
January 8, 2016 6
25 “ACCESS THE WORLD” SCHOLARSHIPS
• Honors 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
• 13 recipients – Summer 2015. More will be announced until 25 total
recipients are selected.
• China, Morocco, Spain, France, Germany, England, Czech Republic,
Jordan, Ireland.

7. HOW TO PREPARE… Prior to the student arrival
CIEE PORTLAND, ME
• Notification from the CIEE Headquarters.
• General information about the participant is
shared with resident staff:
 Student personal contact information.
 Type of disability.
 Information about accommodations that the
student may need.
 Financial support provided by CIEE.
January 8, 2016 7

8. HOW TO PREPARE… Prior to the student arrival
January 8, 2016 8
PARTICIPANT
• Direct contact with the student (e-mail/Skype) to find out information about:
 Student personality & personal Characteristics (i.e.: active on media).
 Detailed description of the type of disability.
 Mobility (in & outside campus).
 Accommodations that the student receives at home school that we could extend
onsite:
- Academics (i.e.: course, technology, timing, etc).
- Housing (i.e.: homestay, residence hall, etc).
- Student Services (i.e.: Office of Disability, etc).

9. HOW TO PREPARE… Prior to the student arrival
January 8, 2016 9
CIEE ALICANTE
• Resident staff contacted two different organizations to gather local assistance:
 The Spanish National Blind Association (ONCE)
 Universidad de Alicante Student Support Center (CAE).
• Assistance provided:
 Academic technology adaptations: Equipment, hardware and software.
 Mobility personal assistant + trainers/guides.
 Local social resources available.
• Mobility personal assistance: Adequate profile (ONCE).
 Gustavo.
 Isabel.

10. HOW TO PREPARE… Prior to the student arrival
January 8, 2016 10
CIEE ALICANTE
• Housing program.
 Residence Hall (1st week).
 Homestay (2nd -4th week).
• Updated training for Faculty & Staff.
 Course instruction strategies.
 Day to day interactions.
 Study Tours, Snapshots, excursions, etc.
• CIEE On-site student support
 Integration strategy.
 Student collaborations.

11. ONCE ON SITE
January 8, 2016 11
COMMUNICATION
• Daily communication.
• Do not feel bad asking.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
• Provide space for individual
learning.
• Run away from excessive
protective attitudes.
• Open your mind and enjoy the
experience.

12. RESIDENT DIRECTOR – Point of view
January 8, 2016 12
EXPERIENCE
• Outstanding intercultural experience.
 Professional + personal.
 Emotional learning experience.
• Very positive feedback.
 Homestay, faculty, other participants, etc.
 Self-discovery process (i.e.: Prado Museum, Madrid).
• New synergies for the future.
 Active participation: Spread the word / visibility!
 Promote /initiate active collaborative work between all
constituencies:
- Sending schools.
- Study abroad offices.
- Study abroad centers.

13. TOGETHER,
WE CAN
ACTIVELY
CHANGE LIVES
January 8, 2016 13

14. LEADING THE
CHANGE

15. GOING BEYOND
BARRIERS

16. APPRECIATING THE
DIFFERENCES

17. BEING AN EXAMPLE FOR
OTHERS

18. STUDENT, VCU
ANTOINE

21. My credo:
We can do anything as long as
we work together and ask the
right questions.

22. NOW IT’S UP TO
YOU TO BE A
CHAMPION
FOR INCLUSION
January 8, 2016 22

23. CHALLENGE YOURSELF
AND CHANGE THE WORLD.
www.miusa.org
@MobilityINTL

24. THANK
YOU!
THANK
YOU!
January 8, 2016 24
Francisco Diez,
CIEE Alicante Center
FDiez@ciee.org
Susan Sygall,
Mobility International USA
sygall@miusa.org
Antoine Craig
VCU Student/CIEE Alum
craigal@mymail.vcu.edu

25. ciee.org
Founded in 1947, CIEE is the world leader in international education and
exchange, delivering the highest quality programs that increase global
understanding and intercultural knowledge. We provide participants with
skills, competencies, and experiences that elevate their ability to contribute
positively to our global community.
Council on International
Educational Exchange
300 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101
207-553-4000
© Copyright CIEE 2014. All Rights Reserved.ciee.org
Founded in 1947, CIEE is the world leader in international education and
exchange, delivering the highest quality programs that increase global
understanding and intercultural knowledge. We provide participants with
skills, competencies, and experiences that elevate their ability to contribute
positively to our global community.
Council on International
Educational Exchange
300 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101
207-553-4000
© Copyright CIEE 2014. All Rights Reserved.