KUCHING: The Dyslexia Association of Sarawak and SK Laksamana have been selected to participate in the US Department of State sponsored Professional Fellows Empower programme, administered by Mobility International USA (Miusa).
This two-way international exchange programme aims to expand the capacity of organisations in the United States and abroad to promote inclusive communities and advance the rights of persons with disabilities around the world.
The association and primary school have partnered with University of Michigan Centre for the Development of Language and Literacy (UCLL) in the United States to implement a long-term project on screening, diagnostics, and remedial intervention for dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
On Aug 18, Carol Persad (PhD) from the University of Michigan UCLL will be coming here for a preliminary exchange visit to gain an understanding of disability issues and inclusion in Malaysian communities, as well as to lay the foundation for an effective ongoing international relationship.
One representative from the association and the school will then be hosted by Miusa from Oct 13 to 19 and by University of Michigan from Oct 19 to 29, where they will work alongside American counterparts to gain first-hand experience on how issues in their field are addressed in the United States.
The association and school are two of 40 international organisations and institutions from 20 different countries that have been competitively selected to participate in the Professional Fellows Empower programme.
Collectively, projects range from inclusive education, independent living, healthcare and reproductive rights, law and policy, legal aid, recreation and sports, access to public services and advocacy for all persons with disabilities.
At the conclusion of the US programme all overseas participants and their US hosts will gather in Washington, DC for a three-day closing conference facilitated by Miusa from Oct 29 to Nov 2.
Participants will have the opportunity to network with other leaders in their field, and share plans for long-term programming that will be implemented upon their return home.
For more information, call Dyslexia Association of Sarawak president Dr Ong Puay Hoon at 082242900 (office) or 012-8578331.