ExchangeAbility
Wed, 07/10/2024 - 14:25
About
Staying abroad is a period full of challenges for young people, as they encounter an unfamiliar environment, a new language and a new culture, for example. Additionally, it can be even more difficult for students with disabilities who may encounter inaccessible environments or face popular stereotypes. In recognition of these important challenges, ESN has developed the ExchangeAbility program to make our organization an accessible and inclusive network for students with disabilities, assist in removing barriers to participation in academic exchanges, and promote available opportunities.
The project also arises as a consequence of the current figures of student mobility in the disabled population. According to data from the European Commission, in the year 2009/10 only 230 students with special needs participated in the Erasmus program with a special scholarship. This represents 0.14% of all Erasmus students. Although the figures have been progressively improving, the data is exceptionally low.
Title
Project Objectives
The objectives of the project can be summarized as follows:
- Convert ESN into a more accessible association for students with disabilities in all activities. This means that ESN wants to provide the necessary conditions and opportunities so that students with disabilities can participate in local sections in contact with international students.
- Increase the number of students with disabilities participating in academic exchanges. This is the long-term vision of the project: to promote the opportunities and support necessary for students with disabilities to study abroad. In addition, ESN works with its sections, higher education institutions and expert organizations on the subject to create the best possible conditions for students with disabilities abroad.
Short video about the project can be found here.