Above photo: WILD women at the Global Disability and Development Institute. Photo credit www.kiefelphotography.com
MIUSA is catching our breath, after hosting 20 amazing disabled women activists from 18 countries for our 11th Women’s Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD).
Delegates came from Armenia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Pakistan, Peru, Romania, Tanzania, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.
As always, WILD delegates from around the world arrived to Eugene, Oregon, USA, eager to learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws that have opened opportunities for people with disabilities to take their rightful place as citizens and leaders.
During their three weeks in the U.S., WILD delegates experienced first-hand the power of the ADA, as they rode accessible public buses, observed accommodations in schools, and tried out accessible sports, swimming, river rafting, and cycling.
As they navigated curb cuts and audible street crossing signals, used captions and accessed sign language interpreting in health care settings and schools, and shopped in accessible businesses, WILD delegates reflected that the power of the ADA is in its enforceability. The ADA has “teeth.”
In seminars and site visits with U.S. community leaders, WILD women explored strategies, ideas, and connections for implementing enforceable policy and legislation in their own countries, to improve access to healthcare, employment, and education.
In the next few weeks, we will be posting more about the impact of the MIUSA WILD program, as our WILD alumni network grows to more than 90 countries!
As we welcome these powerful women into our global network of more than 250 WILD alumni, MIUSA also celebrates the 35th anniversary of the ADA, and the impact it has had, not only in the U.S., but throughout the world.
Of course, there is so much more that needs to be done, but we will take the time to celebrate progress in the U.S., and the accomplishments of MIUSA alumni, disability activists, and allies, in more than 135 countries.
Thank you to everyone for all the work that is being done throughout the world, and happy 35th birthday, ADA! Onwards and upwards!
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