Disability Resources
I. Study Abroad and Global Engagement: Students Affected By Disabilities
Global Engagement, often called service learning, is “a form of experiential education in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs, together with structured opportunities for reflection designed to achieve learning outcomes.” At CBU, we offer community engagement learning experiences locally and globally to help students gain a deeper understanding of their discipline through ongoing, structured reflection that is framed by a Christian worldview.
For students affected by disabilities, the potential obstacles in the way of participating on a global experience may seem overwhelming, but with patience, creativity, and flexibility, we believe a global experience can be a viable opportunity. However, we encourage students affected by disabilities who choose to pursue a global experience to research their host country, explore how disability is viewed overseas and plan in advance. Here are other points to consider:
- No one can force you to disclose your disability. However, if you are comfortable doing so, you can let the Director of Disability Services or the Director of Academic Engagement know about your disability so that as many accommodations as possible can be made for your global experience.
- Every country has different attitudes and views toward people affected by disabilities. In some countries, views of disability may be less valued and people affected by disabilities can be seen as helpless or in need of assistance.
- Accessibility, resources, and infrastructure for services can also vary from country to country.l We encourage you to talk with other students affected by disabilities that have traveled overseas and learn about their experiences.
- Be patient, flexible and creative about how you can accommodate your disability abroad.
II. Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders
1) Students
It is the student’s responsibility to meet all deadlines for study abroad, including deadlines by Student Accounts, Financial Aid, the Office of the Registrar and the third-party program provider. It is also the student’s responsibility to obtain travel insurance, including coverage for Overseas Medical Expenses, Emergency Medical and Security Evacuation, and Repatriation of Remains. It is the responsibility of students to communicate or disclose their needs as it concerns the study abroad process and disability accommodations. The Director of Academic Engagement, the Director of Disability Services, and the study abroad program and/or host institution will not be able to assist or serve students unless students brings their questions, concerns and needs to their attention. Students should recognize that study abroad accommodations require time and planning and cannot be done with short notice. Communication to parents and families is the responsibility of the student.
2) Director of Academic Engagement
It is the Director of Academic Engagement’s responsibility to answer questions students may have in regard to the study abroad process, including planning and registration. The Director of Academic Engagement can also assist in communication with the host program or institution in regard to student accessibility issues. The Director of Academic Engagement will ensure the student’s right to confidentiality in any disability-related issues.
3) Director of Disability Services
The Director of Disability Services advises, supports and provides consultation for students affected by disability that are researching options for study abroad, including advising students on what needs or accommodations should be addressed prior to study abroad. The Director of Disability Services will ensure the student’s right to confidentiality in any disability-related issues.
Resource: University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, “Study Abroad,” https://www.disability.illinois.edu/academic-supports/accommodations/study-abroad#2c
III. Planning for Study Abroad
1. Communication
If students are willing to disclose their disabilities, they should speak with the Director of Disability Services or Director of Academic Engagement. The Director of Academic Engagement, the Director of Disability Services, and the study abroad program and/or host institution will not be able to assist or serve students unless students brings their questions, concerns and needs to their attention. Communication to parents and families is the responsibility of the student.
2. Research Programs, Host Institutions and Countries of Interest
Students affected by disabilities pursuing study abroad should first begin to develop a plan for researching study abroad programs, including host institutions and countries of interest. The goal is to find a location that is a good fit. Explore study abroad programs on https://calbaptist.terradotta.com by clicking on the "Programs" section. The Director of Academic Engagement can assist with finding a program that works well for students. Students should allocate at least a year to start the planning process for study abroad to allow for accommodations, travel and other arrangements.
Find out more about people’s attitudes, perceptions and treatment towards people affected by disabilities in the country you are considering. You can visit the State Department website and enter your country or area to find information related to disabilities in the “Special Laws & Circumstances” section. Look at whether there is legislation in your chosen country related to disability. Unlike the United States, many countries do not legally require accommodations for people affected by disabilities. Research will help you to decide on a location you are comfortable with and know what to expect in regard to attitudes, discrimination, accessibility and resources.
Diversity Abroad says, “Don’t let these challenges dissuade you from studying abroad. By living in another country, you’ll gain a new perspective on how other cultures treat people with disabilities. Your experiences abroad will help you grow and give you an appreciation of everything you have at home.”
3. Other Overseas Considerations
There are a number of other factors to consider when pursuing study abroad as a person affected by disabilities.
a) International Transportation
Mobility USA provides a helpful guide on what to look at in regard to international transportation.
- Flight and Airline Accommodations: Book flights well in advance and call the airline directly to ensure that all disability-related needs will be met. Ask for the name and position of each person you speak with and keep records of this information.
- Book specific seating in advance such as the first row if needed for wheelchair, service animal or other needs.
- Book arrangements for transport to and from the airport on both the domestic and international side weeks in advance of your flight. Confirm these bookings again before you depart.
- Some companies in the United States will offer transport free of charge for people affected by disabilities.
- Arrive at the airport well ahead of departure to allow for additional time with potential delays with security and accommodations.
- Consider the length and time of flights depending on your disability needs. For instance, shorter connecting flights may be a better alternative to longer flights. Allow at least 90 minutes between connecting flights for immigration, customs, and other delays.
- Research and investigate the layout, services and features of all of the airports along your route even if you are only expecting a short layover and consider alternative plans if necessary services are not available. A bedpan or urinal in your carry-on luggage could be helpful for wheelchair users.
- Explore customs and entry screening procedures at the host airport abroad, including how to communicate needs in anticipation of any challenges.
- Set up special dietary requirements on flights ahead of time.
b) Transportation in Host Country
- Is there accessible transportation in the host country? If not, what kind of transportation accommodations would you need on a daily basis?
- Are these transportation accommodations feasible from a cost perspective?
- What does the housing look like through the study abroad program? Is it a home stay? Is it an apartment? On-campus dorms?
- What other options are available?
- What are the sleeping arrangements like? Are the room dimensions physically accessible if this is a need? Some countries may have more narrow doorways, housing, etc.
- Is accessible bathroom and shower facilities included with the housing options abroad?
- Do you need personal care assistance? Do you need assistance for daily activities such as meal preparation, dressing, grooming, laundry and more?
- If so, how will you cover that cost?
- What are the conditions of public sidewalks, streets and the area near where you will be living, studying and traveling?
- While on study abroad in your host country, will there be any assignments off-campus or outside the classroom? Will accommodations need to be made to complete these assignments?
- Do you plan to travel or participate in extracurricular activities outside of the classroom? Will alternative housing need to be arranged for outside travel?
e) Academic Matters
- Will you require any academic accommodations during your time abroad? If so, what support does the host institution or study abroad program offer?
- What does the academic coursework look like at your host institution? Are exams in multiple choice, essay or other format?
- What format is the class held in - is it lecture-based, seminar, tutorial, lab, forum/discussion or some other method?
- Are classes project-driven or exam-driven? In many countries, the academic format will differ widely from academics in the United States. Classes in Spain, for instance, base most of the final grade off of an exam at the end of the course. There is rarely grades for attendance, quizzes, or other assignment.
- How much self-study or reading is involved in the coursework?
- Are course materials available in audio or visual format that are accessible?
- How is coursework evaluated? What does the grading system look like?
- Does your study abroad program or host university have a disability services office or staff, or someone that can address disability accommodation needs?
- What medical, counseling, psychological and other resources are available at the host institution and in the local community?
- Are parts for auxiliary aids available in the local area in the in the event they need to be replaced?
- What does Medicare, Medicaid or your primary medical insurance provider cover abroad? Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?
- Look into international insurance coverage and whether you need to obtain additional insurance coverage while abroad.
- Will you need a service animal while abroad? What are the regulations for a service animal in your host country? Are there veterinary services in the local community? Can you travel with a service animal?
g) Disability Support: Medical, Healthcare, Prescriptions and Medication
- Prescription Medications: how will you refill your prescription medications while abroad? Look into your prescription medications, the legality o the medication in your host country as well as its availability.
- Are you able to take enough medication for your entire stay? What do the host country’s laws say about this? Refer to the host country’s consulate or embassy page to find out whether there are any restrictions or rules for your medication.
- Make sure that any medication is stored in its original, labeled containers with the Rx prescription so that your medication will not be confiscated by customs. There may also be a possibility to take your US prescription to an English speaking physician in your host country.
- Medication should be stored in carry-on luggage rather than check in luggage so that you have access to your prescription medication in case your check in bags are lost or delayed.
- Please note that you will not be allowed to send additional supplies of your medication through the mail.
- If you are obtaining additional medication in your host country, be cautious that names and brand for medications may cause confusion abroad as they may be different. The dosages and tablet sizes can also vary. Prescriptions need to be translated well and accurately, please see HTH Worldwide’s Drug Translation Guide for 200+ prescription medication translation in top visited countries.
4) Academic Advising and Degree Plan
Once you have explored programs, countries and institutions abroad and looking into other considerations related to disability, students should look into what term works well for study abroad, what courses can be taken for credit overseas, and how study abroad will affect your degree plan. Schedule a meeting with your Academic Advisor to discuss this in more detail and create a degree plan that includes study abroad.
IV. Faculty-led Programs Abroad
Faculty-Led Academic Experiences are experiential learning opportunities that integrate academic curriculum with community engagement globally and help students gain a better understanding of their discipline through ongoing, structured reflection. Many of these experiences, while based on certain disciplines, are open to students from all majors. Trips average 1 to 2 weeks, with the longest running for a month. The trip sizes vary; anywhere from 5 to 40 students. Because these experiences are a lot shorter than typical study abroad programs, they can be a good option for students without committing multiple months overseas.
Another benefit of faculty-led programs for students affected by disabilities is that these experiences are typically through partnerships with third-party providers such as Worldstrides or EF Tours which arrange itinerary and logistics details. If a faculty-led experience has partnered with a third-party provider, in most cases the third-party provider can assist students arranging disability-related accommodations ahead travel for students.
1. Communication
If students are willing to disclose their disabilities, they should speak with the Director of Disability Services, Director of Academic Engagement or the faculty-leader for their faculty-led experience. The Director of Academic Engagement, the Director of Disability Services, and the faculty-leader and/or third-party/program host will not be able to assist or serve students unless students brings their questions, concerns and needs to their attention. Communication to parents and families is the responsibility of the student.
2. Research Faculty-led Programs and Countries of Interest
Students affected by disabilities interested in a faculty-led global experience should first begin to develop a plan for researching faculty-led experiences, including the countries that are tied to each program. The goal is to find a location and program that is a good fit. Explore faculty-led global experiences on https://calbaptist.terradotta.com by clicking on the "Faculty-led Academic Experiences" section and “Current Opportunities”. The Director of Academic Engagement can assist with finding a program that works well for students. Additionally, students can reach out to individual faculty-leaders to get more details on what the experience consists of. Students should allocate at least six months to start the planning process for faculty-led experiences to allow for accommodations, travel and other arrangements.
Find out more about people’s attitudes, perceptions and treatment towards people affected by disabilities in the country you are considering. You can visit the State Department website and enter your country or area to find information related to disabilities in the “Special Laws & Circumstances” section. Look at whether there is legislation in your chosen country related to disability. Unlike the United States, many countries do not legally require accommodations for people affected by disabilities. Research will help you to decide on a location you are comfortable with and know what to expect in regard to attitudes, discrimination, accessibility and resources.
4. Other Overseas Considerations
There are a number of other factors to consider when pursuing study abroad as a person affected by disabilities.
a. International Transportation
Mobility USA provides a helpful guide on what to look at in regard to international transportation.
- Flight and Airline Accommodations: During faculty-led global experiences, students and faculty travel as a group. Flights are booked together as part of a group package. Obtain information on flights from the faculty-leader and logistics coordinator and contact the airline directly to ensure that all disability-related needs will be met. Ask for the name and position of each person you speak with and keep records of this information. For faculty-led experiences partnering with third-party providers such as Worldstrides or EF Tours, the company may be able to assist you in figuring out these questions.
- Book specific seating in advance such as the first row if needed for wheelchair, service animal or other needs.
- Book arrangements for transport to and from the airport on both the domestic and international side weeks in advance of your flight. Confirm these bookings again before you depart.
- Some companies in the United States will offer transport free of charge for people affected by disabilities.
- Arrive at the airport well ahead of departure to allow for additional time with potential delays with security and accommodations.
- Consider the length and time of flights depending on your disability needs. For instance, shorter connecting flights may be a better alternative to longer flights. Allow at least 90 minutes between connecting flights for immigration, customs, and other delays.
- Research and investigate the layout, services and features of all of the airports along your route even if you are only expecting a short layover and consider alternative plans if necessary services are not available. A bedpan or urinal in your carry-on luggage could be helpful for wheelchair users.
- Explore customs and entry screening procedures at the host airport abroad, including how to communicate needs in anticipation of any challenges. F
- Set up meals with special dietary requirements on flights ahead of time.
b. Transportation in Host Country
- What do the transportation arrangements look like for the faculty-led experience? Will the group transportation cover your disability-related needs? If not, what kind of transportation accommodations would you need on a daily basis?
- If you need to make individual travel arrangements while abroad, will these transportation accommodations feasible from a cost perspective?
- What does the housing look like through the faculty-led experience? Is it a home stay? An apartment? A hotel or hostel?
- What other options are available?
- What are the sleeping arrangements like? Are the room dimensions physically accessible if this is a need? Some countries may have more narrow doorways, housing, etc.
- Is accessible bathroom and shower facilities included with the housing options abroad?
- Will you have a room to yourself? Will you need to room with another student or caretaker because of your disability?
- Do you need personal care assistance? Do you need assistance for daily activities such as meal preparation, dressing, grooming, laundry and more?
- If so, how will you cover that cost?
- What are the conditions of public sidewalks, streets and the area near where you will be living and traveling?
- While on the faculty-led experience in your host country, what will the daily activities look like? i.e. miles of walking in London, hike in the Amazon rainforest, sports activity in Spain.
- Will any of these daily activities be challenging for you? Are any of these activities for credit? Will accommodations need to be made to complete these assignments?
- Do you plan to travel outside of the faculty-led experience?
e) Academic Matters
- Will you require any academic accommodations during your time on the faculty-led experience? If so, what support does the third-party provider or program offer?
- What do the assignments for your faculty-led experience look like?
- How is coursework evaluated? What does the grading system look like?
- Does the third-party provider have a disability services office or staff, or someone that can address disability accommodation needs in your host country?
- What medical, counseling, psychological and other resources are available in your host country?
- Are parts for auxiliary aids available in the local area in the in the event they need to be replaced?
- What does Medicare, Medicaid or your primary medical insurance provider cover abroad? Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?
- Look into international insurance coverage and whether you need to obtain additional insurance coverage while abroad.
- Will you need a service animal while abroad? What are the regulations for a service animal in your host country? Are there veterinary services in the local community? Can you travel with a service animal?
g. Disability Support: Medical, Healthcare, Prescriptions and Medication
- Prescription Medications: how will you refill your prescription medications while abroad? Look into your prescription medications, the legality o the medication in your host country as well as its availability.
- Are you able to take enough medication for your entire stay? What do the host country’s laws say about this? Refer to the host country’s consulate or embassy page to find out whether there are any restrictions or rules for your medication.
- Make sure that any medication is stored in its original, labeled containers with the Rx prescription so that your medication will not be confiscated by customs. There may also be a possibility to take your US prescription to an English speaking physician in your host country.
- Medication should be stored in carry-on luggage rather than check in luggage so that you have access to your prescription medication in case your check in bags are lost or delayed.
- Please note that you will not be allowed to send additional supplies of your medication through the mail.
- If you are obtaining additional medication in your host country, be cautious that names and brand for medications may cause confusion abroad as they may be different. The dosages and tablet sizes can also vary. Prescriptions need to be translated well and accurately, please see HTH Worldwide’s Drug Translation Guide for 200+ prescription medication translation in top visited countries.
Sources
California Baptist University, Office of Student Success, Disability Services, https://calbaptist.edu/office-of-student-success/disability-services
Diversity Abroad, “Students with Disabilities Abroad,”
https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/students-disabilities-abroad
Mobility International USA, “Traveling Internationally with a Guide Dog or Service Animal,” https://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/serviceanimal?searchterm=Service%20dogs
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Division of Disability Resources & Educational Services, “Study Abroad,”
https://www.disability.illinois.edu/academic-supports/accommodations/study-abroad#2b
United States Department of State, “Traveling with Disabilities,”
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/traveling-with-disabilties.html