Mobility International USA Launches New Disabled Sports and International Exchange Initiative

For many emerging and established leaders with disabilities, disabled sports programs serve as entry points into international travel and exposure to career possibilities in international fields. There are a variety of opportunities for individuals with disabilities interested in sports exchanges to participate as an athlete, a volunteer or an intern. People with disabilities already engaged in disabled sports programs are uniquely positioned to expand their horizons to the international level, possessing the leadership, determination and networking to make their experience successful.

The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange has been dedicated to increasing the number of participants with disabilities in international exchange world-wide since 1995. NCDE's Sports and International Exchange initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, works to promote international exchange programs in competitive and non-competitive sports for people with disabilities at all levels around the world while also seeking to encourage a wider experience beyond competition to include cultural, linguistic, and educational experiences abroad through volunteering, studying, interning, teaching and training. “I always felt like I wanted to travel and see new things and meet new people. Being in sports definitely allowed me to do it.”
Meghan Smith - High school and international competitive swimmer who is Blind

The initiative focuses on:

• Networking with disability-sports organizations around the world to promote international exchange programs in sports for people with disabilities.
• Providing resources for athletes with disabilities who would like to turn their love of sports into an international opportunity not only through competition, but also through volunteer, study, intern, teaching and training opportunities around the world.

For more information on the NCDE Sports and International Exchange Initiative and to find valuable resources, visit: http://www.miusa.org/ncde/spotlight/sports