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One of the most fulfilling aspects of study
abroad is the opportunity to discover another culture and, thanks to that process,
to understand oneself better. It is important to be aware of the cultural differences
about disability and accommodations in order to have a successful and safe experience
abroad.
Disclose your disability needs to program staff early, so appropriate arrangements
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.
And continue learning while you are abroad
by talking with by talking with your new friends, host family, conversation partner,
teacher, etc.
Smith Disability Services
Office: Start with services on the Smith campus to assure coordination between
home services and opportunities abroad.
Access
Abroad - University of Minnesota /Information for Students with Disabilities: Access
Abroad, a federally funded project, seeks to enhance existing study abroad opportunities
for students with disabilities. This is currently the most comprehensive resource
for students with disabilities and study abroad. Make sure you visit it.
Access-Able Travel
Source: Provides access information to disabled travelers.
Brown
University's Diversity Issues in Study Abroad Handbook: a collection of student
quotes addressing diversity issues including ethnicity, heritage, sexual orientation,
religion, minority/majority issues, physical appearance and language.
Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices: The Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
are submitted annually by the U.S. Department of State to the U.S. Congress. They
cover internationally recognized individual, civil, political, and worker rights
as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and include summaries
of policies toward individuals with disabilities.
Financial
Aid for International Exchange and Disability: This handout published by Mobility
International USA explains how it may be possible to use Supplementary Security Income
or Vocational Rehabilitation Funding toward study abroad.
Global Access: This
disabled travel network is a forum for disabled travelers to share their experiences.
Find travel tips and articles on a wide variety of destinations. If you have traveled
with a disability, submit your own story to this site.
European
Higher Education Accessibility Guide (HEAG): This is a guide to accessibility
services at institutions in 17 countries across Europe.
Mobility International
USA Mobility International USA (MIUSA) aspires to empower people with disabilities
through international exchange, information, technical assistance and training, to
ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities in international exchange and development
programs.
National Clearing
House on Disability & Exchange: This site is a comprehensive one-stop resource
for people with disabilities, exchange and disability staff interested in study,
work, intern, volunteer, research or teach abroad programs. It includes personal
stories from study abroad participants sorted by region or by disability type.
Skill: National Bureau
for Students with Disabilities promotes opportunities in higher education across
the UK for students with disabilities.
Acknowledgments: We gratefully acknowledge Access Abroad whose
materials we refer to on this page
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For ALL Students
Ability & Study
Abroad
Gender & Study
Abroad
Non-traditional
Students & Study
Abroad
Race/Ethnicity &
Study Abroad
Religion & Study
Abroad
Sexual
Orientation
& Identity & Study
Abroad
Special Diets & Study Abroad
Related Links:
Article:
Have Wheelchair, Will Travel: Disabled Students Study Abroad Too
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