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Projects for All Teaches Accessible Project Design

Projects For All Yes So Me Post

Over 375 YES and FLEX alumni and allies of the programs attended the Projects for All Workshop aimed at exploring effective ways to develop projects by and with people with disabilities — with many more watching the recordings via Facebook Live. The training workshop was the second part of the Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary workshop series that launched with the Crip Camp Workshop, a series of trainings and online events in August led by iEARN-USA.

The Projects for All workshop was an event jointly organized by Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and American Councils for International Education that included three trainings and a follow-on grants program for YES and FLEX program alumni. The first session, an Introduction to Designing Accessible Projects, focused on the twin track approach to inclusivity, which calls for making all projects accessible and designing effective projects by and with people with disabilities, for people with disabilities. The session included appearances by YES and FLEX alumni who organized accessible projects and projects that advance the rights of people with disabilities.

Sessions two and three walked participants through the key components of inclusive project design, management, and storytelling to effectively highlight alumni projects and promote disability rights and inclusivity. YES alumna Klea Troka (YES 2011-2012, Albania, placed with YFU in Delaware, OH) and FLEX alumnus Azat Toroev ’14 co-hosted the sessions.

As a follow up to the Americans with Disabilities Act 30th Anniversary workshop series (August 17-21, 2020 and November 10-13, 2020), alumni of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program and the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program are eligible to apply for funding to hold follow-on projects. The grants program is funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and administered by American Councils for International Education. Alumni are eligible to apply for project funds of up to $500 per alumnus/a (and up to a maximum of $3,000 for group projects with more than 6 alumni) to organize post-workshop activities that contribute to the achievement of rights, inclusion, and equal opportunity for people with disabilities in the alumnus/a’s community. The application deadline is December 6, and the application can be found here.


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