"The Experience"



Study Abroad Options for Disabled Students

Author: petersons, Category: College Search

If you’ve gone through life with a disability, you may have encountered hurdles along the way. Fortunately, ever expanding global awareness and education about disabilities has cleared some of those hurdles, enabling you to experience one of life’s most exciting, challenging, and transforming opportunities —studying, living, working, or volunteering abroad.

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires international exchange programs, study-abroad offices and international community service projects to offer the same services to you as they do to everyone else. They may not be able to guarantee accessible services and sites everywhere, but they do need to assist you by finding and making international programs as accessible as possible. However, most programs don’t need a mandate to motivate them to help you fulfill your dream — they want to do it!

A helping hand
If you can’t find a program that suits your needs through your own school, there are other organizations that can help. Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and its National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in international programs and assist international exchange organizations in the process of increasing general program accessibility. The Clearinghouse provides free information and referral services for academic, volunteer, or work opportunities abroad. Both agencies also provide consultation and training to international organizations that wish to include you and others with disabilities in their programs.

Thanks to the work of these agencies and committed individuals worldwide, there are many opportunities available to you. You don’t have to shrug off your dream.

Study Abroad
More and more universities around the world have made changes to accommodate students with disabilities, and there are an ever increasing number of accessible study-abroad programs available. For instance, Lancaster University in England actively recruits international students with disabilities to its program, and many other universities provide fully accessible programs for foreign students.

As with most anything, a little advance planning and good communication on your part will help you achieve a successful experience abroad. Provide your advisers with information about your specific needs so they can help you find an appropriate program.

Work and Volunteer Abroad
As you consider your study abroad options, you aren’t limited to school-based programs. There are a number of work and volunteer programs available to students with disabilities, including international community service projects lasting from a few weeks to as long as one or two years. The types of projects available are numerous and can range from working with homeless children in Peru to helping build wheelchairs in Latin America or teaching sign language in Malaysia.

Some organizations, such as the Peace Corps, offer long-term service opportunities to people with disabilities. Others, such as the Council on International Educational Exchange, offer work programs and can assist you with identifying an employment location, securing work permits, and adapting to a new environment.

Survival abroad
In some parts of the world, you may need to be particularly innovative in solving accessibility and communication problems. You’ll likely find it helpful to contact any disability-related organizations in your host country well in advance of your arrival. They may be able to provide you information about local services such as wheelchair repair, handicapped-accessible lodging, sign language interpreters, and mobility training, as well as first-hand information about conditions for people with disabilities in specific areas.

Financial aid
Financing an international experience can be a challenge for anyone. You may be able to utilize traditional financial aid and scholarships, as well as aid specifically intended for people with disabilities. Check out resources including service clubs like Rotary International, as well as vocational rehabilitation departments. You can also contact The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange for a list of international and disability-related scholarships and grants.

Go for it!
Being disabled doesn’t mean you have to miss out on a tremendously enriching international experience. Assert yourself in locating the right program and you’ll find many opportunities that await you.

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