Studying Abroad with Disabilities
Students with disabilities can and do study abroad, and they often say that their time abroad was the most exciting time in college. While study abroad can be challenging, the experience can help you learn more about yourself and your capabilities.
Education Abroad works with Disability Access Center (DAC) to identify study abroad programs that meet your interests and needs.
What are the Essential Steps?
Communicate
Talk openly and honestly with the Education Abroad (EdAbroad) study abroad advisor and with your DAC advisor about your disability. Discuss what is required to manage it and potential issues that could occur while abroad. Advising about program fit, course selection and personal needs is collaborative effort shared by EdAbroad, DAC and the program you select to make your experience successful. They will work together to assess your needs and discuss accommodations that are possible.
Explore Reasonable Accommodations
Learn what types of accommodations are possible in your host country, and be flexible and open to different ways of accommodating your disability. It is best to identify several programs that meet your academic interests since different program locations will have different types or levels or accessibility.
Early Disclosure is Important
Appropriate arrangements and reasonable accommodations need to be made in advance. Even if you are not sure you will need accommodations abroad, it is still important to make potential needs known so that a plan is in place in case an issue arises and that funding can be secured.
If you disclose needs at the last minute, there will be a delay in arranging accommodations. If you require accommodations that are not available in the host country, you may be advised to postpone participation.
Planning Ahead
- Research the accessibility of each site and determine which destinations will best suit your academic and accommodation needs.
- Your DAC counselor will consult with you to determine what accommodations are required for you to be successful abroad.
- Make a detailed list of your daily activities and note tasks you can accomplish alone and which ones will require assistance.
Activate your WWU Approved Accommodations
Students must work with the WWU Disability Access Center, Wilson Library 170, (360) 650-3083, drs@wwu.edu. For service eligibility, a complete diagnostic description from a qualified professional is required. Specific accommodations or services are determined on an individual basis and are modified to meet the unique needs of the student and their academic experience. Accommodation policies and procedures are highly individualized and centered on self-advocacy, realistic self-appraisal, and student growth. Each quarter, students need to activate their approved accommodations for each class. Students choose which of their approved accommodations they want to activate for each class, including for study abroad.
Flexibility
Studying abroad requires flexibility for people with and without disabilities. For anyone, living in another culture will be different. These differences include disability services, perceptions, and accessibility standards from what you are used to in the U.S.
Adapted from UCEAP Student with Disabilities
Study Abroad: Music in Ghana
Quick Tips
- Disclose your disability needs to program staff early, so appropriate arrangements and reasonable accommodations can be made in advance. Your DAC counselor can offer you support and assistance during the disclosure process.
- 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. EdAbroad staff is here to help you locate resources that can assist you in preparing for your time abroad.
- 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.
Adopted from Access Abroad
Resources
- Mobility International U.S.A. (MIUSA): Empowering people with disabilities around the world through international exchange and international development to achieve their human rights.
- Mobility International U.S.A. (MIUSA)
- The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange: A World Awaits You (AWAY) Journal, "Intersections Abroad: Travelers with disabilities explore identity & diversity through international exchange"
- WWU Disability Access Center
- Access Abroad - University of Minnesota
- Inclusion International: The international network of people with intellectual disabilities and their families
- International Disability News Ticker
- European Accessibility Resources
- Wheelchair Accessible Countries
- National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes: Creating Access: Study Abroad (in English y Español)
- Studying Abroad with an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)
Blogs
Funding
The cost of studying abroad varies depending on what kind of program you select, where you going and for how long. Most financial aid can be applied to study abroad and many students find that the cost of going abroad is comparable to the cost of studying on campus. It is important to arrange in advance any funding required for accommodations abroad.