AAPD - News

Fellowships for Internships in the International Exchange Field
December 2002

Mobility International USA
National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange

Contact: Mary Ann Higgins
For Immediate Release
NCDE Consultant
Tel: 330-854-9048
Email Mary Ann Higgins

To download the NCDE/ AAPD Exchange Pioneers Application.

The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) are proud to announce the Exchange Pioneers Fellowships. These fellowships will be awarded to people with disabilities in order to obtain internships with US-based international exchange offices or organizations. The incentives will provide opportunities for people with disabilities to gain experience in the international exchange field, and for exchange organizations to become familiar with disability perspectives. These internships can be valuable steppingstones toward employment in an international profession.

Five $2000 fellowships will be awarded to people with disabilities to offset costs associated with completing an internship during spring or summer 2003. Internships must be between 25-40 hours per week for a minimum of three months in length. Interns should plan to support the organization's goals to increase their office and program accessibility. Each recipient will be required to write a publishable article about his/her experience and agree to be a peer mentor to others with disabilities seeking similar experiences.

The fellowship application deadline is March 1, 2003 for spring internships and May 1, 2003 for summer internships. Winners must have applied for internships prior to submitting an application. Fellowships will be granted pending confirmation of internship acceptance. Those searching for potential internship sites can explore the following web page for a list of some international exchange organizations that offer internships

For information or an application, contact Mary Ann Higgins, or Tel: 330-854-9048, or Pam Houston, at NCDE or Tel/TTY: 541-343-1284. NCDE is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US Department of State and managed by Mobility International USA. Visit the website for more information of NCDE.