Students with Disabilities
Just as cultures differ, so do disability accommodations and perceptions. The key for any study abroad participant is flexibility. It is important to communicate your needs and consider alternative ways to meet them. Disability Resources and the Office of Study Abroad are here to assist you before and during your trip abroad.
If you are considering studying abroad for the first time, set up an appointment with one of our Study Abroad Advisors and check out our website for information on different programs.
Here are some quick tips to get you started:
- Disclose your disability needs to program staff early, so appropriate arrangements and reasonable accommodations can be made in advance.
- Remember that other cultures may provide disability access in a different way - learn about what types of accommodation are typically provided in your host country and be flexible and open to different ways of accommodating your disability.
- Before you go, find out as much as you can about your host culture and how they view disability by reading, talking to other students, and attending pre-departure orientation sessions. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for the interaction between your disability and the new environment.
- Think about how you will answer questions about your disability in the language of your host country - look up key vocabulary words ahead of time.
We’re here to help
We encourage you to reach out to the Office of Study Abroad staff if you have any questions or concerns.
Questions to Consider
- What housing options exist?
- What program is right for you?
- How are the assignments different?
- Is transportation available and accessible?
- What are your academic and personal interests?
- Do you need to do your own cooking? Laundry?
- What are the physical environments like in your host country?
- Are you comfortable learning mainly from lectures, readings, independent research, etc?
- What tradeoffs are you willing to make in order to have the experience you are seeking?
- Do you have a sense of adventure, or do you want a more predictable and comfortable experience?
- How important are disability access factors such as public transportation, distance across campus, weather, a community of other people who are Deaf, and local disability groups, for example?