Navigating and Developing Study Abroad Resources

1. Navigating and Developing Study Abroad Resources for Students with Disabilities Ashley Bryant, Mobility International USA Barbara Blacklock, University of Minnesota

2. Agenda • Intro • Opportunities and Challenges related to Study Abroad • Tour of MIUSA's Web-Based Resources • Collaboration Between Disability Services and Learning Abroad Center at University of Minnesota • Next Steps at Your Campus • Questions

3. About MIUSA’s Disability and Exchange Services • Free advising • E-news • Publications • Webinars and events • Website Sponsored by: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

4. NCDE Home: www.miusa.org/ncde Entry points for: • Americans going abroad • Visitors coming to the USA • Exchange Pros

5. NCDE Home: www.miusa.org/ncde Features: • Search bar • Live chat • Featured and popular resources • New stories • Quick links • Blog roll • Social media links

6. Tipsheets: www.miusa.org/ncde/tipsheets Tipsheet categories: • General Travel Tips • What to Bring Abroad • Sensory disabilities • Mobility Disabilities • Non-Apparent Disabilities

7. Stories and Blogs: www.miusa.org/ncde/stories Stories, videos and blogs sorted by: • Disability type • Exchange program type • Destination region • Types of disability aids • Ethnic diversity + Instructions for submitting a new story

8. Going Abroad: www.miusa.org/ncde/goingabroad • Search for opportunities abroad • Ideas and tips for funding • Legal rights • Disclosing a disability & negotiating accommodations • Checklists and tipsheets

9. Financial Aid and Funding: www.miusa.org/ncde/financialaid Tips on: • Funded programs and fellowships • Scholarships, grants and loans • Fundraising and cost-saving • U.S. government programs and services + Webinar recordings for US and non-US participants

10. Coming to the United States: www.miusa.org/ncde/comingtousa • Disability rights and needs • Funding tips • Stories • FAQs Learn more about: • U.S. study • Professional programs • English learning • Volunteering

11. Tools for Exchange Professionals: www.miusa.org/ncde/tools • Inclusive outreach • Working with US or international participants + Topics A-Z + Best practices

12. AWAY Journals: www.miusa.org/ncde/away • Online journals • AWAY Topics: Free to download or order! Issues include: • Go Abroad, Find Your Career Path • Volunteering • Community Colleges • Non-apparent disabilities • HS and higher ed

13. Disability Organizations Database: www.miusa.org/orgsearch Search national-level DPOs around the world by: • Region • Country • Disabilities served + Also a list of international-level disability orgs + Submit an org

14. Stay in Touch and Up-to-Date! Social Media Links and E-news Subscribe to our monthly e-news: • New resources from MIUSA • Featured stories • Exchange and funding opportunities • Tip of the month • Conferences, events and webinars • Submit content

15. Collaborating with Your On-Campus Resources • Identify campus resources • From coffee to a grant • Cross training staff • Joint trainings

16. Collaborating with Your On-Campus Resources • Develop online resources and review with each office • Consider student surveys • Clarify process for internal accommodation funding

17. Examples of Campus Resources • Learning Abroad Resources at University of Minnesota: www.umabroad.umn.edu/students/identity/disabilities.php • Access Abroad Student Checklist • Accommodation Request Form • Pre-departure Preparations • First-hand Student Experiences

18. Best Inclusive Practices by Professionals www.miusa.org/ncde/tools/bestpractices • Sample websites, forms, videos • Summaries of collaboration between ODS and international exchange offices • Share your best practices!

19. Example: AHA International

20. Example: University of Pittsburgh

21. Example: American University

22. Questions? Contact us! • Ashley Bryant, Mobility International USA, abryant@miusa.org • Barbara Blacklock, Disability Services, University of Minnesota, black005@umn.edu