Information for Students with Disabilities: Access Abroad

1. Information for Students with Disabilities: Access Abroad Presented By : Emily Lucio, Director of Disability Support Services The Catholic University of America

2. What is Access Abroad? • Access Abroad is a collaborative effort at CUAbroad and Disability Support Services to facilitate equal access for students seeking to pursue an education abroad experience and to provide information on accessibility at sponsored overseas sites. 

3. Accommodations Eligibility • Students registered with Disability Support Services who are eligible for on-campus accommodations are also eligible for overseas accommodation when it can be arranged. Students are encouraged to speak with their disability specialist to identify the reasonable accommodations they may need overseas. 

4. Defining Disability • Chronic systemic conditions affect one or more of the systems of the body. This includes cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, HIV-AIDS and other health related conditions. • Hearing disabilities can range from students who have difficulty hearing, have lost hearing in one ear, or are completely deaf. • Learning disabilities. This includes such conditions as dyslexia and dysgraphia, and can be extended to Attention Deficit Disorder. • Mobility disabilities range from very limited stamina to paralysis of the lower extremities. Conditions that may cause a mobility disability include arthritis, back disorders, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and neuromuscular disorders. • Psychiatric disabilities diagnosis of a mental illness from a licensed professional. This includes depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. • Vision disabilities include low vision, total blindness, and partial sight such as impaired field of vision.

5. Accessibility Overseas • Just as cultures differ, so do disability accommodations and perceptions. The key for any study abroad participant is flexibility. Always ask programs about their accessibility.  • For supplemental information, students are encouraged to contact Mobility International for assistance in finding programs and overseas support services.  • It is important to communicate your needs and consider alternative ways to meet them. Disability Support Services and CUAbroad are here to assist you before and during your trip abroad. 

6. Quick Tips For Students With Disabilities Going Abroad • Disclose your disability needs to program staff early, so appropriate arrangements and reasonable accommodations 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.