2008
Global Challenges for Young Persons with Disabilities
: International Study Program
1.
Background
In recognition of the need for a program to empower young
persons with disabilities, the KSRPD (Korean Society for Rehabilitation of
Persons with Disabilities) has promoted the international study program for the
last 3 years.
The objective of the international study program is to
provide young adults with disabilities with opportunities to build their
capacity, so that they can fully participate in and full-fill their lives, and
contribute to national and global community in the future.
2.
Program Implementation
The program is composed of a total of 60 young people with
and without disabilities, and is divided into 6 teams, according to different topics.
The program is usually undertaken between mid August and mid September for 9
days in different countries. A group orientation and preparation work of each
team takes place before the program starts.
So far, the program has been offered only to Koreans to go
abroad in order to learn about the lives of persons with disabilities as well
as social policies and supports available in each country.
This year, one team out of six teams is reserved for six Asian
young adults with disabilities—two persons from each country of
|
Team & Theme |
Country |
Number of
participants |
|
Team 1 Anti-Discrimination Act 2007 in |
|
20 (6 Asians with disabilities, 10 Koreans with and
without disabilities, 4 facilitators) |
|
Team 2: ‘American Disabilities Act’ and its
implementation |
|
12 (7 with & 5 without disabilities) |
|
Team 3, 4: Any topics relevant to disabilities, |
To be decided by the young people |
8 (6 with & 2 without disabilities) |
|
8 (6 with & 2 without disabilities) |
||
|
Team 5, 6: Education, Career, Cultural Experience |
To be decided by the young people |
2 (1 with & 1 without disabilities) |
|
2 (1 with & 1 without disabilities) |
Selected youth will be given an opportunity to undertake an
in-depth study on a chosen topic area by field trips to different regions of
the world. It is anticipated that they will aim to broaden their experiences
through ‘cross-fertilization of ideas’, which would nurture them to become the
future leaders in the disability field.
The program of the team One hasn’t completely developed yet
at this stage. However, the rough plan is as follows,
l
The inauguration, beginning of August
l
Visits to the governmental institutions,
with regard to the policies on education, employment, social agendas, human
rights of persons with disabilities
l
Workshops/camp with young persons with
disabilities/self-support group
l
Visits to disability organizations, run by
people with disability themselves
l
Meetings with persons with disability,
pursuing their careers
l
Cultural experience and visits to Korean heritage/
traditional sites at weekends and in evenings
3.
Requirements
- To be a person with disabilities between 18 and 30 years old
- To speak English at a communicative level (at least)
- To be able to
commit oneself to a full-time program away from home, for 10 days
- To provide
two written references
4. Applying and the Process of Selection
- To send your application form and 2 references to
the representative organization in your country until April 30
- The representative
organization selects 5 candidates through interviews in each country and
reports their decision to KSRPD
- KSRPD will undertake the final selection and will
nominate 2 successful candidates.
5. Duration of the program: 10 days between August~October, 2008
* The duration of the program for other
teams is for 9 days
6. Cost:
KSRPD pays for all
the expenses of the applicant, (aroused by conducting the program), including a
return flight ticket, insurance, accommodation, meals and traveling. Applicants
are responsible for their personal expenses and should pay for their carers, if
applicable.