UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion Welcomes Fall 2025 East African Disability Rights Professional Fellows
The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) is excited to welcome 10 East African disability rights leaders to Boston on Wednesday, September 10, as part of its Professional Fellows Program (PFP). This year’s cohort includes three Fellows from Kenya, three Fellows from Tanzania, and four Fellows from Uganda.
The PFP, led by Senior Research Associate and PFP Program Director Dr. Heike Boeltzig Brown and funded by the U.S. Department of State, works in close collaboration with the African Disability Forum (ADF). The program depends on strong partnerships with U.S. host organizations to provide meaningful professional development opportunities for Fellows while supporting global disability rights initiatives.
During the 4-week program, each fellow will join a U.S. host site to co-develop inclusive civic engagement projects. After completing the program, fellows will return home to implement these projects in their communities, fostering greater accessibility and inclusion across East Africa.
“We are proud to support these emerging leaders as they advance disability rights in their communities and contribute to the global disability rights movement,” said Dr. Boeltzig Brown. “The knowledge, skills, and networks they gain here will help strengthen inclusion and accessibility worldwide.”