On July 26, 2020, the YES program celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by sharing testimonial videos recorded by YES Alumni. Leading up to that day, the YES program also hosted two Instagram Live ADA interviews with alumni from Malaysia and Kenya. The ADA was passed to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights as other Americans. The pioneering ADA has inspired the adoption of disability rights legislation around the world, including the CRPD, which is the first international treaty to address the rights of persons with disabilities.

The YES program is an inclusive scholarship that welcomes students with all types of disabilities. ECA programs like YES empower exchange program participants and alumni to advance disability rights, challenge discriminatory policies in their countries, improve accessibility, and promote mainstream education and employment. These YES alumni testimonials show the impact the YES program has on students with disabilities and how YES alumni continue advocating for people with disabilities all around the world. 

Watch the YES Alumni ADA testimonials and YES Alumni Instagram Live ADA Interviews below.