CCY 3910 6.00: Children, Youth, and Accessibility: Local and Global Perspectives

Instructor: Kael Reid | kaelreid@yorku.ca

Location: Nosy Be, Madagascar

Language of Instruction: English

Program Dates(s): 2 days per week, 3 hours per day (Semester 1), beginning in May 2027 at 91��ɫ; May 28 – June 13, 2027 in Nosy Be, Madagascar

Course Overview:

Children, Youth, and Accessibility: Local and Global Perspectives is a study abroad course that examines the diverse experiences of children and young people living with disabilities and access needs across cultural, political, and social contexts, with a particular focus on Madagascar. Grounded in children’s rights, accessibility, and critical disability studies, the course interrogates how Western constructs of embodiment, disability, and ability intersect—and at times collide—with non-Western perspectives and practices of childhood and inclusion. With in-class activities and hands-on experience in Madagascar, this course equips students with the analytical, ethical, and practical tools necessary to advance more inclusive and equitable practices for children and young people, locally and globally.

The course combines interdisciplinary scholarship with experiential learning in Nosy Be, Madagascar, where students engage with local community organizations, including a center for children with disabilities and a school where children engaged in child labour are taught reading, writing, and math education.

Through these experiences, students connect theory to practice, examine educational and community-based supports in resource-limited contexts, consider the ethical and cultural dimensions of advocacy and inclusion, and develop a small but sustainable project that supports educational opportunities for young people in Nosy Be. In addition, students will also engage with the United Kingdom nonprofit, L.A.B. (Learn. Achieve. Become.), which funds and oversees programming at these organizations. L.A.B. is dedicated to improving the quality of life for disadvantaged individuals and communities in different communities around the globe through free education and sports projects. By combining interdisciplinary scholarship with cross-cultural, hands-on engagement in Madagascar, this course develops students’ critical, ethical, and practical skills for promoting inclusive and equitable practices for children and young people.

For more information visit the program page.

Applications are open until 12:00 p.m. EST. on January 22, 2027.

For more information visit the program page.

Students must be at least 18 years of age and have completed at least one year of university by the time they undertake a study abroad course.

Students that are currently on academic probation will not be accepted into the study abroad program.

Students must meet the academic pre-requisites outlined on the individual course pages.

Students must have a valid passport at least 2 weeks before program start date.

More information can be found here.

Program fee: CAD 1556* (based on 10 students)

*Program fee subject to change based on final number of students and final course itinerary.

Includes:

Hotel accommodation in Nosy Be
Breakfast and some lunches
Transportation
All site visits and excursions
Most meals,
Professor-related costs (travel, accommodations, meals, incidentals)

Not Included:

Tuition fee (payable to 91��ɫ)
Flights to/from Nosy
Guard.me Travel Insurance
Madagascar 30-day Tourist Visa
Travel Vaccinations
Toronto Police Vulnerable Sector Check
Personal expenses

For more information visit the program page.

Please note that applicants to this course may be interviewed by Prof. Kael Reid and once accepted into the course, are required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check from their local police service, and all required vaccinations prior to travelling to Madagascar at their own cost.

Applicants:

Must be able to adapt to changing environmental conditions, the presence of insects and small animals, and large animals on the streets.
Sleeping conditions can be either very hot and humid, or cool.
Must be prepared to walk or take tuk-tuks to get around (there is no transit system)
Must be prepared to be on site (schools) for 7 hours a day, Monday-Friday.
Must be willing to live with limited electricity and access to internet while in Madagascar.
Must be able to adapt to respect local cultural norms.
Must obtain all necessary vaccinations before departure.
Must obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport in Madagascar.
Must be willing to eat a diet that reflects local cultural norms (we can accommodate some dietary restrictions, but not all are possible)
Having a beginner’s grasp of French is an asset but not necessary

For more information visit the program page.

More Information