Students and Accessibility

Each country has a different attitude towards people with disabilities. In some countries, people assume that those with disabilities need and want help. In other countries, accessibility services could be very different from what is available in the U.S.

Talk to your program director or study abroad advisor to learn more about accessibility available in your host country. Visiting another country might be challenging. However, your experience will help you gain a new perspective on how other cultures treat people with disabilities.

Reflect

• How are people with my disability viewed in the host country?
• How accessible are places in the host country?
• What are the physical environments like?
• What medications are or are not available in the host country, and will my insurance cover them?
• How should I react if people give me unsolicited help?
• Will my disability prevent me from participating in certain excursions?
• What housing options exist?
• What accommodations are available through the program?
• Is learning mainly through studio work, lecture, readings, independent research, etc.?
• Is transportation available and accessible?
• Does the program have a support staff that can help me if an incident occurs?
• Are there additional funding sources I can look into?
• If field trips are not accessible and are required for a course, will alternative access be available?
• Am I willing to disclose my disability to others?
• What type of support will I need while abroad?
• Who will fund any special accommodations?
• Will I need note taking assistance?
• Will I need a mobility assistant to help me?
• Will I need extended time on assignments or exams?

resources

• Mobility International
• How Students with Disabilities Can Study Abroad
• Students with Disabilities Abroad

We encourage you to make an appointment with the Study Abroad Advisor to discuss your study abroad plan and any of the topics in this resource guide.

Please contact us at international@massart.edu.