Students with Disabilities

Chapter:

7 - Students with Disabilities

Students with Disabilities

Planning and Disclosure

Disability laws, services, and accommodations applicable in the US may not be available abroad.

Review this document and review the request for disability accommodations abroad instructions.

US nondiscrimination laws prevent institutions from asking about or considering disability status during the application process. Disclosing is your decision, and you should consider these advantages of disclosing a disability:

Receive consultation about accessibility in your program location, including available services and reasonable accommodations.
Accommodation definitions, resources, and processes in other locations may differ from your UC campus.
Establish connections with people in the host community who have similar disabilities or with the community of people with disabilities through Mobility International.
Self-advocate when communicating your personal preferences and needs to those around you to minimize miscommunication and assumptions.
It is not possible to retroactively implement accommodations.

If you choose to disclose, do it early so you can receive guidance in selecting a program and destination that meets your needs. Without advance notice, it might not be possible to secure accommodations abroad.

Even if you think you can study abroad without accommodations, it is important to talk about potential accommodations with your campus study abroad advisor and the campus disability office. Disclosing can help you plan your access to the program and related program activities. You can also receive information about available support and services abroad. The process of arranging accommodations begins once the letter is received.

Critical Documentation

You must be registered with the disability office at your UC campus to request disability accommodations on UCEAP. Your disability specialist can provide you with an accommodations request letter that lists accommodations you are eligible to receive on your home campus, such as specific academic accommodations, non-academic accommodations, reduced course load, and others. The letter must be issued specifically for your UCEAP program and cannot be a request from a previous term or program. You cannot receive accommodations abroad without this letter. Keep a copy of it for your records in case you need to provide it to staff abroad.

Your letter may need to be shared with the UCEAP study center and/or host institution. The specific process and available accommodations vary by program and location. Many universities around the world may not be legally required to offer disability services.

Take copies of medical documentation related to your disability(ies) and any medications, including prescription information. If you take prescription medication abroad, please review the Health chapter in this guide.

Keep electronic copies of your medical and program-related documents in cloud storage that you can access while abroad. Also, leave copies of these important documents with a trusted member of your support network or friend.

Confidentiality

If you disclose a disability to UCEAP, that information will only be shared with program officials who need to know. UCEAP collects and thoughtfully shares information to facilitate available services and accommodations.

How Accessibility Differs

Accessibility is going to look different in different countries or regions:

Privacy and discrimination protections may depend on the laws of the host country or region.
Some foreign institutions may require detailed medical records and diagnosis before they can recommend available support services.
You may have to pay for accommodations.
Notetakers may not be available or may be very expensive. Using a recording device abroad is often the best solution. However, some faculty members won’t allow their lectures to be recorded unless you get their permission first.
Many institutions abroad do not recognize anything beyond 1.5 (time-and-a-half) extended test time.
Reduced course load accommodations may be limited or not possible due to partner or immigration policies. If you are a financial aid recipient, a reduced course load could also impact your financial aid.
Ramps may be nonexistent. Metro stations may have elevators, but not all, and you will not know how many are in working condition until you arrive.
Treatment and commonly prescribed medications for some conditions (e.g., ADD, ADHD, autoimmune) in the US may differ or be illegal in the host country or region. Refer to the Health chapter and the Predeparture Requirements in the UCEAP Portal for information on traveling with prescription medications.
Requirements for traveling with service animals or emotional support animals may vary depending on the country or region.
Electric power for equipment or recharging batteries may require adapters.
Sign language interpreters may not be always certified or available, and interpreting will generally be in the sign language of the country or region rather than American Sign Language.
Safety bars and shower chairs may be uncommon. Bring mobility aids to use in bathrooms without bars or where long walks may be required, such as long train platforms.
In some countries or regions, the standard width of a wheelchair is narrower than US standards, and non-folding wheelchairs and power chairs are rare. The standard width of corridors varies in different countries, and not all buildings are accessible. Carry extra parts or differing types of casters for a wheelchair.
In some countries or regions, assistive technology may be used more, while in others you may need to rely on human resources.

Your Responsibilities

Work with the disability office at your home campus, your campus study abroad advisor, and the UCEAP Systemwide Office program specialist to determine your options for receiving accommodations.
Research your UCEAP location preferences, opportunities, and country or region resources. Remain flexible about your destination. Consider your personal, educational, and career goals carefully.
Identify several programs or destinations because some may not be able to provide certain accommodations to students with disabilities.
Share information about your program (e.g., academic requirements, field trips, accessibility in the host country or area) with your disability specialist at your home campus and discuss whether the program is a good fit for you.
In compliance with US laws, your accommodations are normally covered on your home campus. Ask your home campus disability specialist if the office will cover any costs abroad. In addition to UC financial aid, scholarships, and grants, other sources of funding to consider include vocational rehabilitation (VR), veterans’ benefits (contact the Department of Veterans Affairs), UCEAP scholarships, and personal savings. If you receive funding from the Department of Rehabilitation, have the rehabilitation representative contact the UCEAP Finance Accountant for your program to process payments. Work with your VR counselor to add the UCEAP experience toyour vocational plan and understand your benefits and options. Contact Mobility International for more information and a list of funding sources.
Obtain and keep the contact information for any host university disability office or local UCEAP representative who can help you if accommodations are not working while abroad. If you arrive and have confirmed that accommodations are not in place, do not delay contacting someone. If you do not have a local contact, email your UCEAP program specialist.
Be flexible and seek help if accommodations are not what you expected when you are abroad. Learn how to ask for help and refer to your disability in the local language.
If you cannot find resources locally, try to access them remotely by internet or phone (ensure that this is possible before departure).
If readers and scribes are unavailable, you can mail-order audio or Braille books through the disability office at your UC campus or bring assistive technology and software from the US.

How You Can Prepare for Studying and Living Abroad

Study abroad requires flexibility for people with and without disabilities. Physical accessibility and learning support systems and resources may differ substantially or may not exist in other countries or areas.
Geography, climate, and culture affect a country or area’s accessibility.
Read about disability laws in the host country or area.
Talk to recent UCEAP alumni and students with disabilities who have returned from abroad to learn about their experiences. Attend predeparture orientation sessions.
Contact Mobility International in the US. They can provide information about the country or region’s disability organizations, support groups, social groups, sports clubs, and local disability rights laws.
To prepare for your departure flight and navigate security screenings at airports, visit Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Disabilities and Medical Conditions.
Practice the local language to communicate about your disability accommodation needs. Learn words that describe your disability in the local language.
Every country or area has a different attitude toward people with disabilities. Prepare for a different culture, including attitudes about inclusion for all, discrimination, lack of understanding and awareness, and misconceptions about the abilities of people with disabilities. Host families may be highly protective—or unwilling to accommodate you. People may stare or ask you questions. Locals may help you whether you request it or not.
Locate a local doctor or counselor and have their information handy.
Communicate with local disability groups about equipment repair locations or other services, if needed.
Have repair tools and extra parts with you to fix adaptive equipment.
Research the local transportation options and what will work for you. Learn about accessible transportation resources or community support in your host country or region. Not all forms of transportation may be accessible.
Know whether transportation accommodations are possible during required program field trips, travels within the city, and between destinations. Budget adequately to cover your transportation costs (e.g., taxis, if public transportation is inaccessible or inadequate).

Questions to Ask as You Prepare for UCEAP

Is the host institution willing to authorize accommodations based on medical documentation from the US? If you are currently receiving accommodations, will the host institution accept an accommodation letter from your home campus? Does the host institution require any forms to be completed by your medical/mental health providers?
If you need to see a medical care provider (e.g., doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist) while abroad, have you established this contact prior to departure?
Are you able to obtain a supply of medication for part or the entirety of your program before departure? Is your medication legal in the host country or area? Does your medication require refrigeration? If your medication is administered via injection, what is the host country or area’s policy regarding syringe disposal?
What are the host institution’s policies on extended exam and assignment time?
Are note-taking services available? What is the process to request these services?
Are tutoring services available and, if so, at what cost?
What is the host institution’s policy on recording lectures? Do you have a personal recording device for lectures?
What is the host institution’s policy on absences? Whom do you notify, and how can you arrange to make up missed work in caseof a flare-up of your condition?
Will you have access to adaptive technology, such as Kurzweil, audio books, Dragon Naturally Speaking, and VoiceOver?
Who is responsible for funding accommodations for your particular program? You? Your home UC campus? The host institution?

CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS

If you have respiratory problems or severe allergies, what is the air and environmental quality in the city you are considering?
If your condition is affected by temperatures, what is the climate in your prospective host city?
If your condition is affected by altitude, what is the altitude of the program location and field trips?
What special dietary considerations do you have?
If you have difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time, how much walking or standing does the program require, and what accommodations do you need to participate?
If you have a medical device, can that device be serviced or replaced in the program city?

HEARING DISABILITIES

Will you need an interpreter or real-time captioning? Who will fund this accommodation?
Where and how will the interpreter be hired?
What is the hourly rate for interpreters in the host country or area? Interpreter costs may vary widely by country and area and even within the same country or area.
Does the interpreter know American Sign Language? Sign language is not universal and may differ between countries or areas with the same spoken language. Find out the differences before leaving. It may be possible to depart early to learn the new sign language.
Can captioning or interpreting be provided remotely?
If you are taking a personal frequency modulated (FM) system, can you obtain batteries or charge the system in your host country or area?
Who will notify your instructor of the need to wear the FM microphone?
Are all videos captioned?
If your FM system needs to be repaired, who can provide this service in your host country or area?

MOBILITY, ORTHOPEDIC AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Will you take one or two wheelchairs or electric scooters?
Do you need a transformer for charging? If so, is the voltage in your host country or area compatible with your transformer? Do you need to purchase any adapters?
How will you ship your wheelchair or scooter abroad?
If your wheelchair or scooter breaks or malfunctions, where can you have it repaired abroad?
Do you need to make additional or alternate arrangements to get from the airport to the orientation site or your host institution?
Have you obtained maps of your host city, and are you familiar with accessible pathways?
Are the streets and sidewalks (if they exist) paved, cobblestone, or dirt? Are there curb cuts for wheelchair or scooter access?
How accessible are the host institution and host city’s elevators, bathrooms, classrooms, housing, dining facilities, public transportation options, or other locations?
Will you need a scribe?
Are lab or library assistants available in your host country or area?
If you need a personal care attendant to accompany you, what arrangements do you need to make for that individual’s travel, housing, dining, transportation, and other needs?

VISUAL DISABILITIES

Does the host institution allow service dogs in the classroom, lab, housing, dining, library, and other locations?
Are alternate formats or technology available through the host institution, e.g., audio books, Braille, e-text, Kurzweil, CCTV, screen readers?
Will you need a mobility assistant?
Have you obtained maps of your host city, and are you familiar with accessible pathways?
Is there accessible signage on buildings, elevators, classrooms, restrooms, ATMs, and other locations?

Service and Emotional Support Animals

We recommend notifying the UCEAP Systemwide Office if you plan to take a service animal, emotional support animal (ESA), or any other type of animal abroad. Medical documentation may be required, and not all types of animals have the same legal protections or acknowledgements. In most cases, animals aren’t allowed in program housing.

Research and seriously consider all the implications of going abroad with a service animal or ESA. You will be responsible for complying with all pet entry regulations for the host country or area.

Examples of things to research include:

Requirements of transporting the animal internationally.
Understanding and complying with quarantine and vaccination laws of your host country or area.
Knowing the specifications of service animals or ESA in the host country or area, including the local laws, culture, and attitudes towards service animals in public places, such as restaurants, businesses, and public transportation.
Complete care of the animal, including identifying vet services and arranging for necessary care and supervision during times you’re in class or participating in program activities.
Consult with airlines for requirements. Several airlines ban ESAs and will treat them as pets, so there may be pet travel fees, and it may be more complicated to fly with one.

You must plan for scenarios such as the following:

You come down with an illness,or you’re hospitalized, and cannot care for the animal.
The animal gets sick and you have to arrange care for it so you can abide by the program attendance policy.
You must leave the animal for extended periods, such as for personal travel or program excursions.

Resources to Help You Plan

General Resources:

Service Animal and ESA Resources:

Students with Disabilities