Nicar Bocalan is a second year graduate student from California. Nicar is pursuing dual MA degrees in International Development and Administration & Supervision programs. Born in Cavite, Philippines, Nicar moved to the US when he was seven years old. He is fluent in three languages, Tagalog, English, and ASL. Nicar’s experience comes from Adapted Physical Education, working in a group home for children with severe disabilities, disability sports programs, coaching NCAA Division III, and living in Belize. After graduation, Nicar envisions working for organization(s) designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities; such as vocational training, education and/or recreation and eventually wants to establish his own non-profit organization.
Nicar completed a summer practicum with Handicap International where he served as a Program Assistant for the "Making it Work" initiative (MIW). Along with the MIW International Coordination Team, Nicar helped to coordinate a side event at the third United Nations Conference of States Parties. The side event addressed the CRPD and included five panelists who discussed lessons learned from ongoing MIW projects in West Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. During his practicum, Nicar also co-authored an article for the Rehabilitation International Journal, which was published in the October 2010 issue.
