advising students with disabilities in study abroad what to know before they go: ashley bryant,...
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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
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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 [email protected]
Claire ÖzelMiddle East Technical University [email protected]
Questions?