Project Description:
The Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities and Disability Services for Students at the University of Montana, along with the University of Colorado Boulder, are hosting 18 higher education professionals from Egyptian universities, including officials from the Egyptian Ministry of Education, for a 10-day day study tour.
The purpose of the tour is to strengthen the capacity of Egyptian university staff to administer newly established Disability Support Centers and ensure equal access to higher education for students with disabilities at their universities. From September 10-20, 2019, participants will travel to Missoula, MT, and Boulder, CO, for interactive trainings and presentations.
The US-Egypt study tour is being organized with AMIDEAST, an American non-profit organization engaged in international education and development activities in the Middle East and North Africa, and USAID as part of enhanced activities within Egypt to improve equality for people with disabilities. In 2018, Egyptian public universities received additional funding to establish Disability Support Centers to meet the needs of students with disabilities within higher education institutions and to promote equal access.
The study tour will provide Egyptian higher education professionals an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of university policies related to people with disabilities, the role and activities of disability support services offices, practices for how to promote inclusion for people with disabilities, and strategies to address common issues and barriers for students with disabilities on university campuses.
Specifically, the study tour will provide interactive trainings and presentations on different models for university administrative structures and policy, independent living and self-advocacy curriculums, disability assessments, assistive technology accommodations, and inclusive walking audit tours.
Participants will be at the University of Montana in Missoula, MT from September 10-15; they will then travel to the University of Colorado Boulder for a parallel site visit from September 15-20. The partnership between these two institutions, one rural and one urban, showcases how universities with different needs, resources, and student populations provide disability support services, exposing tour participants to different successful university models.
Core Function(s):
Performing Direct and/or Demonstration Services, Developing & Disseminating Information, Other Direct/Model Services, Demonstration Services
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Geographic Area - Other, Other
