Disability Access Abroad

1. Disability Access Abroad Presented By : Emily Lucio, Director of Disability Support Services 207 Pryzbyla Center The Catholic University of America

2. 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.

3. Accommodations • 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 DSS to identify the reasonable accommodations they may need overseas.  • Accommodations can include: • Academic Accommodations (i.e. extra time, notetaker, recording device) • Living Accommodations (i.e. accessible accommodations) • Transportation Accommodations (i.e. accessible transportation) • Medical Accommodations (i.e. transporting medicine overseas)

4. 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.

5. Checklist For Students With Disabilities Going Abroad • Meet with DSSto develop an accommodation plan • Disclose disability needs to program staff early, so appropriate arrangements and reasonable accommodations can be made in advance. • Medication information- confirm if the medication needed is allowed in that country and how it should be labeled and transported. • Other cultures may provide disability access in a different way—learn about what types of accommodation are typically provided in the host country, and be flexible and open to different ways to provide accommodations. • Before leaving, find out as much as possible about the culture and how they view disability. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for the interaction between your disability and the new environment. • Think about how to answer questions about your disability in the language of your host country—look up key vocabulary words ahead of time.