Students Traveling with Disabilities
If you are a student who is interested in participating in one of our study abroad
programs and have a disability or a condition that may affect the academics, traveling,
and/or overall experience of your program, we encourage you to read the information
below, as well as the information provided by Testing & Disability Services.
Feel free to contact our office or Testing & Disability Services if you have any questions
or concerns!
Things to Consider
- Diversity Abroad has a great list to think about when considering studying abroad with a disability.
- Be sure to inquire about additional costs, if any, for services. Do not assume that
such services will be free as they are here.
- Consider if your program location have its own disability resource office.
- Keep in mind that different countries and cultures may view your disability a different
way than we do in the United States. It may be useful to know how to answer questions
about your disability in your host country’s language.
- Other external resources:
The earlier you let Testing & Disability Services know about your disability, the
better the Study Abroad Office can match you with a program that you can benefit the
most from.
Understanding Your Responsibilities
Study Abroad Office
- Application process
- Equal consideration in participation
- Assistance with placements
- Information about programs
- Contract arrangements overseas
- Coordinate specific arrangements overseas
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Student
- Self-identify early in the process
- To meet with the Testing & Disability Services and provide appropriate documentation
- Request specific accommodations
- Research information on various study abroad opportunities
- Communicate with others who have completed study abroad experiences
- Develop a proposed budget including contingency plans
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Testing & Disability Services Office
- Collect and evaluate student documentation
- Advise Study Abroad Coordinator concerning accommodations
- Assist in identifying academic adjustments
- Arrange funding for required accommodations as needed
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Disclosing Your Disability
Should you choose to disclose your disability, your program application should include
a section where you will have the opportunity to do so as well as listing any accommodations
you need in relation to the classroom, testing, housing, transportation, technology,
and safety considerations. Also, please detail whether these requested accommodations
are essential or preferred.
As soon as you apply and make a deposit to reserve a place on your desired study abroad
program, please make an appointment to meet with Testing & Disability Services.
- If you have not already registered with Testing & Disability Services, please fill out the appropriate paperwork found here. Please bring this paperwork
in addition to your accommodation requests to your appointment with Angie.
- If you can’t decide which program you want to choose from, come talk to us about choosing
the program and then meet with TDS.
- Disclosing a disability does not preclude you from participating on a study abroad
program. Disclosure enables the Study Abroad Office staff to help match you with a
program which will be able to accommodate your needs and that you can benefit the
most from. We here as a resource for you!
- We cannot guarantee that accommodations you request will be feasible or available
in the program that you have applied, but we will discuss other options/alternative
options if accommodation you have requested is not possible. This is an interactive
process between you, the Study Abroad Office, and the Testing & Disability Services.
Contact Testing & Disability Services