FUNDING: United Nations Democracy Fund
16 years ago
During the winter of 2009-10, I joined the University of Delaware for an around-the-world comparative and interdisciplinary study of how disability affects the way people live, learn, work, and play. We travelled with 21 students to Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, Nepal, and Thailand. In each country, we visited and learned from people with disabilities, their families, professional service providers, and government agencies.
What a wonderful day to step back and think about all that has been accomplished both nationally and internationally with respect to recognizing and acknowledging the unique perspectives of individuals with various levels of ability. What a life-altering adventure you are about to engage in, traveling to a diverse set of countries to see how other cultures are working with individuals with disabilities. I am particularly curious to hear about the strategies and approaches of other cultures to promote inclusion of individuals with disabilities in both the workforce and community. Many of these countries you are visiting have been heavily impacted by armed conflict, natural disaster, or extreme economic turmoil in recent years. It is in these most challenging times that the most beautiful examples of humanity can flourish, and I hope the stories and experiences you bring back from this trip convey a spirit of inclusion and acceptance of individuals with disabilities abroad. I wish you tremendous health and happiness on this extraordinary chapter in your life's journey, and I will be an avid fan of this blog for weeks to come!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Serena! What a beautiful post!
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