Workbook final

247 - ExchangeAbility, Erasmus Student Network, Belgium

ONTACT

Erasmus Student Network

Ms. Safi Sabuni

Belgium

and/or

+32 477 567889

VERALL GOAL

MISSION

Erasmus Student Network is the key volunteer student organization in international higher education in Europe. It

provides opportunities for cultural understanding & self-development under the principle of SHS - Students Helping

Students. ESN represents the needs and rights of international students on different levels; provides relevant

information about mobility programs; contributes to the improvement and accessibility of student mobility. Mobility

offers young people opportunities for self-development and enhances their future employability. The ExchangeAbility

project was developed with dual goals: (1) to increase the number of students with disabilities going on exchange by

raising awareness, contribute to remove obstacles to participation in exchange & promote the opportunities available.

(2) To make the organization’s activities more accessible for students with disabilities to actively be involved in the work

with international students.

HE SOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED

The ExchangeAbility project was presented at many high-level meetings & conferences on Disability Internationalisation

of Higher Education. The country site visits uncovered the most common barriers in study abroad & the gaps of

information flow. Comparison of various situations in different universities during the site visits has stimulated the

exchange of good practices among various stakeholders to support the international exchange experience of students

with disabilities. Empowering persons with disabilities to participate in mobility programme by involvement of students

with disabilities as “ExchangeAbility Ambassadors” willing to promote mobility and share their experiences. MapAbility

platform (a web-based information tool) provides practical information about support services for persons with

disabilities & accessibility of European Higher Education Institutions. ExchangeAbility training was organized with young

people with and without disabilities. Awareness raising indirectly contributed to the slight increase of participation.

OUNTRY IN WHICH IT WAS DEVELOPED

Belgium