Advising Students with Disabilities in Study Abroad

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE THEY GO:

Ashley Bryant, Mobility International USA (MIUSA)

Claire Özel, Middle East Technical University

Free advising E-news Publications Webinars and events Website

Sponsored by:Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State

About MIUSA’s Disability and Exchange Resources

1. Deciding Whether to Go2. Preparing to Go3. Cultural Differences in Disability4. Roles of Students and Professionals5. Questions and Discussion

Overview

Deciding Whether to Go:

Incentives for Going Abroad

Have a different experienceDevelop resilienceDevelop awarenessBreak away from home or habitsLearn a new language or other skills

Common Motives for Studying Abroad

Move out of protected environmentsDevelop independent living skills and

confidenceConnect with people in other cultures

or have same or similar identityPerceive self from others' perspectives

Benefits of Going Abroad with a Disability

(1 of 2)

Change the way society perceives people with disabilities

Improve employability prospectsAdvocate for disability rights in other

countries / be an ambassador

Benefits of Going Abroad with a Disability

(2 of 2)

Parental approval/encouragementRole modelsAttitude of home study abroad office

(SAO) staffAvailability of disability-related

services or resources in host country

Deciding Factors for Students with Disabilities (1 of 2)

FundingHealth insurance coverageImpact on disability-related benefits at

home

Deciding Factors for Students with Disabilities (2 of 2)

Preparing to Go:Accessibility

Abroad

Consider:Mobility/TransportationHousingLearning (testing, note taking, reading, etc.)Meals/Diet

Accommodating Students Abroad (1 of 2)

Consider:Health (medication, doctors, counselors, etc.)Program schedule and paceVisits and excursionsSocializing...Student's strategies

Accommodating Students Abroad (2 of 2)

How aware is the student of differences in:languageculture and politicspossibilities and opportunities

How skilled is the student in:Language - communicationMobilityRequesting needsAdapting to change and new situationsResilience

Student’s Awareness and Abilities

“We never allow our students with disabilities to go anywhere with less than equal standards!”

FlexibilityAdvocacyCreativityPersistenceConnecting locallyMIUSA's information servicesPlanning

Strategies to Work Through Barriers

Contact:Host Study Abroad Office (SAO)Host Disability Office (DO)Host country/ community disability groups,

Exchange informationExpress needsResearch procedures and opportunities

Note: Do not rely only on reports from non-disabled people

Planning

Differences in expectationsWhat do local SwD do? What am I prepared to accept?

Accessible dormsTransportHygienePrivacy

Spare parts: inner tubes; batteries (run out faster in hotter places), catheter, cane, medications

Accessibility Abroad

Cultural Differences in

Disability

Ideas of independence and confidentiality

Recognition of disabilitySpeaking about disability (blunt talk,

taboo subjects)Behavior & interaction (staring,

touching)Treatment from how locals with

disabilities are treatedOver-protectiveness

Expect Differences in…

Procedural/Formal Approach - Doing what is required by rules or law

Personal Approach - Direct conversations about what is needed and why

Community Approach - Services given by a student’s friends, family and community

Cultural Models of Providing Accommodations

www.miusa.org/ncde/tipsheets/disabilityculture

A student travels from a "Formal Approach" culture to an "Informal Approach" culture

A student travels from an "Informal Approach" culture to a "Formal Approach" culture

What Might Happen When…?

Find out requirements or proceduresContact local disability organizations Ask peers with disabilitiesKnow how/when to accept/refuse helpSeek a disability advocate and alliesFind opportunities to educate

Adjusting to Differences

Roles and Responsibilities

(R&R) of Students and Professionals

Involve the Student at All Stages

At the Home University

At the Host University

Help student make best accommodation choices, based on program structure

Arrange overseas accommodations to mirror those provided at home institution

Set up action plan for all stakeholdersWith student’s permission, share

accommodation letter with SAO at home and host institutions

Home Disability Office, Pre-Departure

Inform about:Policies and procedures: diversity statements, funding, etc.Student's legal rights and responsibilitiesWhere to find information for student to make informed decisions and plans

Cooperate with:SAO and student on needs, develop individualised creative solutions

Home and Host Disability Office

Research range of possible host destinations

Research availability of program accommodations in host countries

Identify relevant criteria for prioritising choices: “What matters to me?”

Student R&R: Selecting a Program

Disclose disability as soon as accepted

Complete program-related tasks Plan program itinerary with SAO

program coordinatorsProvide adequate documentationTake personal devices, equipment,

spare parts, etc.

Student R&R: Pre-Departure

Be proactive; create awareness of needs before departure and while abroad

Contact Host DO: agree on support strategies

Arrange personal assistants; train new local assistants

Contact local disability organisations

Student R&R: When Abroad

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (USA):Work with study abroad office to establish an "advisor for access"

School of Oriental and African Studies (London):Budget from student fees income to create a fund which could be used to cover reasonable adjustments

What Others are Doing

Disability office at host institutionLocal disability organizations in host

countryPast participants:

students with similar disabilitiesstudents from own culture

MIUSA website

Others Who Can Help

"International travel seems much more accessible to me now...

Most of the resistance I encountered came from people who saw my disability as an impossible barrier to travel in a developing country, whereas I just saw it as a challenge.

Now, I know that wherever the future takes me, it will most definitely involve more stamps in my passport."

Rachel

Contact us and share your story!

Ashley Bryant Mobility International USAabryant@miusa.org

Claire ÖzelMiddle East Technical University Turkeyclaire.ozel@gmail.com

Questions?