Deadline: 1 March 2012
Open to: Women leaders with disabilities throughout the world, members in organizations led by and for people with disabilities
Venue: 6 – 27 August 2012 at Eugene, Oregon, USA
Description
Mobility International USA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was co-founded in 1981 by Susan Sygall and Barbara Williams. MIUSA is a cross-disability organization serving those with cognitive, hearing, learning, mental health, physical, systemic, vision and other disabilities.
MIUSA’s mission is to empower people with disabilities to achieve their human rights through international exchange and international development.
MIUSA’s Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) will bring together approximately 30 women leaders with disabilities from approximately 30 different countries, to strengthen leadership skills, create new visions and build international networks of support for inclusive international development programming.
During the three-week program, participants will take part in workshops, seminars and discussions, conduct on-site visits, and participate in team-building activities, to explore challenges and exchange strategies for increasing leadership opportunities and participation of women and girls with disabilities in international development programs.
The WILD program will include interactive workshops, site visits and practical activities on priority issues for women with disabilities, including:
- National and International Policies and Legislation, including the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Disability Policy
- Educational rights and opportunities including specialized and inclusive schools, policy and legal rights, services and accommodations for accessibility
- Leadership for economic empowerment, including higher education, training models, supported employment, microenterprise, private sector partnerships, career mentorship, skill-building, employment policy, and career development.
- Health and family issues including parenting, health care, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and violence prevention
- Using the media
- Coalition building
- Organizational development and sustainability, including funding resources and strategies, and fostering partnerships with community organizations and businesses
- Goals and action plans to promote collaborative relationships with other organizations for the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in international development programs.
- Inclusive international development, including exchanging strategies for inclusion with representatives from U.S-based international development organizations and/or human rights organizations
- Cultural and team-building experiences
- Mentorship and networking
The official languages of WILD are English, Arabic, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). Participants must have at least conversational ability in English and/or be familiar with ASL.
- MIUSA uses ASL sign language interpreters who are experienced and skilled at providing interpretation for individuals who use different sign languages.
- Language and sign language interpretation will be provided during formal program activities, workshops, discussions and site visits only.
Costs
Accepted participants will be responsible for:
- $250 USD program fee. Limited scholarships may be available based on applicant’s demonstrated financial need. Applications for a scholarship will be provided upon acceptance to the WILD program.
- Obtaining a current, valid passport and U.S. visa, including all related costs such as travel to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the home country
MIUSA will provide:
- Roundtrip airplane tickets for participants to travel from home countries to Eugene, Oregon, USA
- Travel health insurance during the WILD program
- Food, lodging, program activities and accessible public transportation during the WILD program
- Disability-related accommodations, including sign language interpreters, funding for personal assistants, etc.
Apply Early
We expect to review a large number of applications for a limited number of openings. Limited scholarships may be available based on applicant’s demonstrated financial need.
Eligibility
For the programme may apply:
- Women leaders with disabilities throughout the world are from Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Middle East, Eurasia, Latin America and South Pacific as well as established leaders or professionals or emerging young leaders, ages 21 and above are also eligible to apply.
- Members in an organization led by and for people with disabilities or by and for women with particular attention to issues of women and girls with disabilities civil society organization committed to the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities
- Committed to and have the capacity for increasing leadership opportunities of women with disabilities in the community and/or country
- Committed to and have the capacity for increasing the participation of women and girls with disabilities in international development programs
Application
Please send applications, attention “WILD 2012” by:
• Email: womenleaders@miusa.org
• Fax: 1-541-343-6812
Applications available on The Official Website.
