U.S./ArmeniaSports for Success:

Increasing Opportunities for Youth with Disabilities

Professional Exchange Program

In this document:

About the Program

Collaborators & Sponsor

Eligibility & Selection Process

About Mobility International USA (MIUSA)

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Program Goals & Objectives

This reciprocal exchange program will bring together athletes, professionals, and sports leaders with and without disabilities from the U.S. and Armenia to expand opportunities for youth with disabilities in Armenia to engage in sports.

The program is designed to reach the following goals:

  1. Promote mutual understanding and respect.
  2. Increase professional capacity to promote participation of female and male youth with disabilities in sport and recreation activities.
  3. Improve the quality of life for people with disabilities by providing affordable, inclusive sport experiences that build self-esteem and confidence.

Through this program, participants will meet the following objectives:

  1. Increase capacity to effectively plan, lead, and advocate for sport opportunities for youth with disabilities, including girls and young women in Armenia.
  2. Increase technical knowledge, skills, and resources to expand the range and quality of adapted sports available to individuals with diverse types of disabilities in diverse communities.
  3. Identify effective strategies and articulate plans to build the capacity of existing sport programs in Armenia.
  4. Establish collaborative plans and networks for continued professional exchange of expertise, resources, and technical assistance to promote sport opportunities for youth with disabilities.

Exchange to Armenia

In June 2014, five U.S. professionals willtravel to Armenia with MIUSA for a 10-day program designed to address priorities identified by the local disability communities such as but not limited to:sports and recreation programs for youth with disabilities; coach training for aquatics,powerlifting, table tennis, wheelchair basketball; cycling; sports programming, development, and management; sport and fitness for women and girls with disabilities; and introducing the Paralympic Sports Club model.

Armenia participants will be expected to contribute to the Armenia-based program (e.g. participate in program activities/meetings, host the American delegation at their organizations) to develop dialogues and plans with American counterparts.

During the 10-day program in Armenia, major activities and topics may include:

  • National Disability Sports Festival in Yerevan, an annual event hosted by the Pyunic Armenian Association for the Disabled in cooperation with the National Paralympic Committee since 1994, in which the U.S. delegation will participate and contribute as trainers, facilitators, and experts.
  • Meetings and strategic planning discussions with community leaders and government representatives on sports programming, development, and management.
  • U.S. led training for Armenian coaches in priority sports, which may include aquatics, cycling, powerlifting, table tennis, and wheelchair basketball.
  • Interactive workshops and discussions with disabled people’s organizations.
  • Site visit with Agate Center for Women with Special Needsin the city of Gyumrito increase sport and fitness opportunities for women and girls with disabilities, including aquatics.
  • Cultural activities, including visits to markets and historical landmarks.

Exchange to U.S.

In September 2014, ten professionals from Armenia will travel to Eugene, Oregon, USA for a 12-day program that will capitalize on the activities and outcomes of the program in Armenia.

U.S. participants will be expected to contribute to the Eugene-based program (e.g. Skype call, providing resources, hosting the delegation in Eugene) to continue dialogues and implementation of plans developed during the program in June.

Major program activities may include:

  • Technical clinics, demonstrations, and interactive workshops to observe, discuss, and experiment with techniques, equipment, and modifications for specific sport activities.
  • Site visits to facilities and programs that are inclusive of individuals with diverse disabilities.
  • Opportunities for Armenia participants to showcase their work and engage in reflection and action planning sessions to implement new ideas that will result in increased participation of youth with disabilities in sports.
  • Cultural activities and a homestay experience with an American family.

Language

The official languages of the program are Armenian and English. Armenian-English translation (and sign language interpretation if needed) will be provided during formal program workshops, discussions, and site visits only.

Program Cost

Accepted participants will be responsible to pay:

  1. Fees for obtaining a current and valid passport, and all related costs such as postage and passport fees. If you do NOT have a passport, we encourage you to apply for one immediately as the process can take weeks or months depending on your country.
  2. Incidentals during travel, including international phone calls, supplemental snacks, and laundry.

MIUSA will provide:

  1. Roundtrip airplane tickets in economy class to Armenia and the U.S. respectively.
  2. Business visa application fee for U.S. participants will be reimbursed. Armenia participants will apply for a J1 visa, which is free of charge.
  3. Pre-approved baggage fees.
  4. Limited travel health insurance.
  5. Program expenses while abroad including food, lodging, program activities, translation, and local transportation.
  6. Disability related accommodations, includingsign language interpreters or personal assistants, to be coordinated by MIUSA on an individual basis once the final participants have been selected.

COLLABORATORS & SPONSOR

MIUSA is working in collaboration with two organizations in Armenia, the Pyunic Armenian Association for the Disabled in Yerevan and the Agate Center for Women with Special Needs in Gyumri, to develop and administer this reciprocal exchange program. Both organizations will host the U.S. delegation selected to travel to Armenia in June 2014, and will assist with outreach and recruitment for the program in Eugene, Oregon, USA which will take place in September 2014.

The program is sponsored by the SportsUnited Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State.Since 2010, MIUSA has administered two professional exchange programs sponsored by SportsUnited focusing on the inclusion of youth with disabilities in adaptive sports and recreational programs.

ELIGIBILITY & SELECTION PROCESS

U.S. Applicants

Application deadline for U.S. professionals: March3, 2014

The application process is open to any U.S. citizens who meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. U.S. citizen
  2. Professional with or without a disability
  3. Represent an organization
  4. Demonstrate expertise in one of the priority areas listed below:
  5. Sports and recreation programs for youth with disabilities
  • Coach training for aquatics, powerlifting, table tennis, wheelchair basketball
  • Cycling
  • Sports programming, development, and management
  • Sport and fitness for women and girls with disabilities
  • The Paralympic Sports Club model
  1. Demonstrate interest to maintain an ongoing relationship with Armenia counterparts beyond the Armenia-based program

Armenia Applicants

Application deadline for Armenia professionals:April1, 2014

The application process is open to any citizens of Armenia who meet the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Armenian citizen
  2. Professional with or without a disability
  3. Represent an organization
  4. Demonstrate expertise and/or interestin one of the priority areas listed below:
  5. Sports and recreation programs for youth with disabilities
  • Coach training for aquatics, powerlifting, table tennis, wheelchair basketball
  • Cycling
  • Sports programming, development, and management
  • Sport and fitness for women and girls with disabilities
  • NationalParalympic Committee
  1. Demonstrate interest to maintain an ongoing relationship with U.S. counterparts beyond the U.S.-based program

Selection Process for All Applicants

Instructions to apply are provided on relevant application forms available on the MIUSA website at All application and selection processes will be accessible to individuals with diverse disabilities.

  • Applicants who submit their application before the deadline will be considered for the program and will receive an email confirming receipt of their application within five business days.
  • MIUSA will select finalistsbased on review of written applications. Finalists may be asked to participate in a selection interview with MIUSA representatives by telephone, Skype, instant message, or other communication.
  • Final selection of participantswill be made by MIUSA in collaboration with the Pyunic Armenian Association for the Disabled and the Agate Center for Women with Special Needs, with final approval from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan.
  • MIUSA will notify all applicants about whether they have or have not been selected for the program via email and/or telephone.
  • U.S. applicants can expect to receive a final response in March 2014.
  • Armenia applicants can expect to receive a final response in April 2014.
  • Immediately after acceptance to the program, participantswill be expected to begin communication with MIUSA and prepare for participation in the program as instructed.

ABOUT MIUSA

Mobility International USA (MIUSA) is a U.S.-based, non-profit organization founded in 1981 whose mission is to empower people with disabilities around the world to achieve their human rights through international exchange and international development. With over 2,000 alumni from over 120 countries, MIUSA has administered disability rights exchange programs for professionals and people with disabilities all over the world. MIUSA is a recognized leader in inclusive international exchange programs and the rights of persons with disabilities. Learn more at