Students with Disabilities
Will my disability keep me from studying abroad? No way!
Students with disabilities can certainly experience immersion in another culture by studying abroad. No matter what type of disability you may have, there is a program for you! Student Accessibility Services, the Global Education Office and the program provider/host university will work closely with you to identify opportunities for an enriching, engaging, and safe study abroad experience. Countries and regions of the world all have varying standards of accessibility and capacities to accommodate a disability. Not all countries follow the ADA guidelines enforced in the U.S. Therefore, it’s important to do your research and plan as far ahead as possible.
Steps to studying abroad with a disability:
- Check out W&M’s Student Accessibility Services website and register with Student Accessibility Services.
- For accommodations to be considered in the host country, students MUST be registered with Student Accessibility Services at W&M
- It is important that students disclose this information up to 9-12 months, or as early as possible, before going abroad to ensure enough time to coordinate accommodation!
- The Student Accessibility Services Office is located in Room 109 of the Campus Cente
- The Student Accessibility Services accepts documentation according to disability type and severity. Feel free to contact Student Accessibility Services if you have questions pertaining to verifying a disability.
- Email Leslie Henderson, the Director of Student Accessibility Services, at ljhenderson@wm.edu to make an appointment with Student Accessibility Services to discuss any accommodations that might be needed while abroad.
- If you are going through a 3rd party, contact your provider or host university as soon as possible to plan what resources or accommodations you will need for your time abroad.
What to plan for while abroad:
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are some examples of things to think about as you are preparing to go abroad:
- If you’ll be traveling with a service animal, you may need to find out if they’re allowed in public areas such as businesses and restaurants
- If you’ll be using a wheelchair, you may want to do some research on the terrain. How difficult will it be for you to get around? Are there any laws requiring businesses to have wheelchair ramps, and can you reliably count on elevator being available?
- If you will be needing any types of medications, you’ll want to make sure your prescriptions are allowed by local law. If they are, will you have any trouble getting them refilled
- Plan ahead on how your disability may affect your traveling experience on planes, trains, streets, buses, metros, and more!
- Great tips from MIUSA to get the accommodations you need while you’re abroad
First-hand experiences:
- Check out this page from the National Deaf Center for information on proactive planning and creating an accessible study abroad experience.
- Check out this blog from a UC Irvine student who studied abroad in Japan with a disability. They talk about their experience and tips in planning your own study abroad experience.