Alliston to Provide Training and Technical Assistance for Disability Employment Professionals in Kenya

Dr. Jerry R. Alliston, interim associate director of The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), is a long-time champion for young people with disabilities and their inclusion in community activities and the workforce.

Well-known for his zeal for transition to adulthood in Mississippi and the United States, he will now be sharing his expertise and enthusiasm in Africa through the Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment (PRP-IDE). Alliston will be visiting Kenya this month to provide employment training and technical assistance to disability professionals in Nairobi.

Alliston's trip will be the reciprocation of a four-week visit by Vincent Ogutu, a disability employment specialist in Kenya with the Agency for Disability and Development in Africa. Ogutu visited IDS and Southern Miss in May. Alliston will be meeting with Ogutu in Kenya to share experiences from Mississippi on inclusive employment for youth with intellectual disabilities.

“Hosting an international fellow was such a rewarding experience,” said Alliston. “I was able to learn from them while sharing the successes of IDS' employment programs. This new opportunity of traveling to Kenya will allow for continued partnerships and to develop additional collaborative activities. I am excited that Mississippi's self-advocacy leaders who are reaching their employment dreams are able to impact self-advocates across the world.”

Dr. Rebekah Young, IDS interim director, said, “It is an honor that IDS has been selected for an outbound fellowship through the PRP-IDE. We are excited that Dr. Alliston will have the opportunity to share his passion and expertise to promote inclusive employment in Kenya.  Through the collaborative efforts of this program, Vincent and Dr. Alliston will be laying the foundation for future employment and community inclusion for young adults with disabilities.”

The Professional Fellows Program on Inclusive Disability Employment (PFP-IDE) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is implemented by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Institute for Community Inclusion, and Humanity & Inclusion.