A BRIEF LOOK UPON WHAT WE THINK ABOUT EXCHANGE

PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

A large majority of the visually impaired young people in

Romania live and study in the special schools designed to meet
their needs and support them with adapted solutions and
equipment, in order to enhance their potential and their access to
learning. Our school hosts both a high school and a college which
prepares students to work in physiotherapy. Here they overcome
the barrier of disability, they discover that by means of
technology they can have a great variety of support possibilities
and they dare achieve their dreams for their future.
While working with this particular target-group of young
people we have noticed, on the one hand, their need for more
interaction with other young people outside their close circle of
friends and colleagues, and, on the other hand, the significant
benefits such interaction possibilities can have in their personal
development. Our youth are often a little isolated and are eager
to be involved in projects along with other young people in the
country and especially from abroad.

Some of them have

participated in different European projects which have given them

the possibility to explore the beauty of sharing experiences and
open toward other people and cultures. They also see that many
of their sighted colleagues have various opportunities to take part
in exchange programs which have a positive influence on their

lives. Our youth are often hesitant to participate in such projects

organized by different NGOs, either because they do not feel
independent enough, or because they are afraid that the activities
will represent too much of a challenge for them, taking into
consideration their particular needs.
This is why we are very motivated to take all the necessary
steps in order to have a framework within which we could run
European projects tailored especially for visually impaired youth.
We believe that a special European program designed especially
for disabled youth would be extremely necessary and could have
great impact on this group, on their communities and in society.
Having such a framework in place, different schools and
organizations across the European Union could partner and write
projects together, on different topics which represent a focus
point or a challenge to young people with different disabilities.
The projects would be created and coordinated by them and for
their direct benefit; they would not only

be inclusive; they will

address those issues these young people constantly wrestle with,

such as: access to higher education, employment opportunities,
adapted technology, mobility and independence, social skills,
leisure time activities, adapted sports. This would create a safe
environment where these topics could be discussed, where
participants could take part in workshops, simulation games,
brainstorming sessions and other group activities.

These will

increase their self confidence, will help them become more open
towards other people and cultures, will give them a sense of

belonging to a community and will prompt them to dare more and

become more courageous in choosing or pursuing their dreams
for their future; they will learn from each other, will be inspired by
people with disabilities who have achieved great things already,
will share their experiences, learn how to talk about them, even
about the negative ones,

explore new ways to deal with

disappointment and frustration, will better understand what living

in denial really means and how it could be avoided.
We would appreciate such a program at the European level
since it would give us the possibility to develop a large variety of
projects, from short international exchanges hosted by a certain
school/organization in a particular country, to long-term projects,
such as student exchange projects or teacher exchanges lasting a
few months, up to a full year. In this way students will have a
great opportunity to really open up and explore a new country, a
new setting and new ways to doing things and meanwhile develop
themselves both personally and professionally.
Here are some of the positive benefits such project could bring:
Educational

International learning and knowledge propels students towards acceptance and

understanding of an array of different cultural and community perspectives.

Language acquisition is achieved through practical immersion.

Awareness and adoption of alternative, multi-faceted approaches to learning.

Analytical and problem solving skills.

Enhanced interest in global issues as well as a broader general knowledge.

Personal

Self-development and awareness leading to enhanced self-confidence and selfesteem. This is often the most noticeable change in returned exchange students.

Maturity and social poise, fuelled by the necessity to confront challenges outside a
familiar support network and comfort zone.

Integration into another family as well as the development of life-long friendships,

fostering an appreciation of home and family.

A tremendous sense of accomplishment upon completion encourages students to

develop independent opinions, make informed decisions and strive to attain fresh
goals.