Studying Off-Campus with Disabilities

An essential component of a positive off-campus study experience is exploring what options are available and planning in advance. Center of International and Intercultural Studies (CIIS) and Student Accessibility Services (SAS) will work together with you individually to make sure you are well suited for your off-campus study program and address any concerns you may have. CIIS and SAS have worked with students with a variety of different disabilities and can help you begin preparing for everything you will need. 

All accommodations, including housing and emotional support animals are determined on a case-by-case basis. It is crucial that you plan early for accommodations support as some of your accommodations may not be able to be implemented due to program constraints and regulations of the host institution, city, state, and/or country. Levels of support that the SAS office can provide vary, depending on the program you are seeking out. Below is some information to consider in your plans for studying abroad with a disability identity. 

Step One: Research Study Abroad Programs 

Use the CIIS list of programs to research the program you'd like to apply for. Schedule an individual appointment with CIIS for additional assistance with choosing a program. 

Step Two: Disclose Need for Accommodations 

If you are planning to study off campus, you are encouraged to disclose your disability status to CIIS so that you can get a sense of what disability accommodations will be available to you and how those accommodations will be implemented.  Early disclosure is crucial.

Off-campus study programs are not obligated to meet requests for accommodations without advance notification of need. Countries outside the United States have their own rules and regulations concerning academic accommodations and do not necessarily comply with Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments (ADAA) regulations. 

Step Three: Request Accommodations for Off-Campus Study Program 

After being accepted into an off-campus study program, SAS will, at your request, communicate with CIIS regarding your eligibility for accommodations. To request this communication, email studentaccessiblity@stlawu.edu with the semester and year that you will be participating in off-campus studies. 

Housing-related Accommodations: If you want to use your approved housing-related accommodations which address access needs relative to the student living environment while studying domestically or abroad, please be advised that you will need to adhere to the following notifcation deadlines: 

April 1^st for Fall Semester off-campus study programs 

October 1^st for Spring Semester off-campus study programs 

Quick Tips for Students with Disabilities Studying in Off–Campus Programs 

• Disclose your disability needs to program staff early, so appropriate arrangements and reasonable accommodations can be made in advance for both domestic and international programs.  
• Remember that other cultures and institutions may provide disability access in a different way—learn about what types of accommodation are typically provided in your host country and be flexible and open to different ways of accommodating your disability. 
• Before you go, find out as much as you can about your host culture and how they view disability by reading, talking to other students, and attending pre-departure orientation sessions. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for the interaction between your disability and the new environment. 
• Think about how you will answer questions about your disability in the language of your host country—look up key vocabulary words ahead of time 

How Accommodations Can Differ in Other Countries

• Student Accessibility Services, as a student support service, may not be provided at your host institution. 
• Attitudes around accommodations may be different in your host country. 
• Tutoring may not be a free service at the host university. 
• To obtain a visa, some countries require health information, which can delay the process. 
• Electricity for equipment or recharging batteries often requires adapters and/or converters. 
• Learning disabilities may not be recognized in some countries. 
• Sign language interpreters may not be always certified or available, and interpreting will generally be in the sign language of the country rather than ASL. 
• Some countries quarantine service dogs before they are allowed into the country. 

Medical/Prescription Needs 

• If you take prescriptions, make sure you have enough to last throughout the entire stay. 
• All medications should be stored in their original containers with their label attached and visible. 
• Carry a letter from a physician that describes the medication. 
• Always carry medication in your carry-on in the event your checked bag is delayed or lost. 
• It is illegal to have medication sent abroad to you via postal mail. 

Adapted from Access Abroad 

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals while Studying Off-Campus

Some students who are already approved for having an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) in their residential space may wish to bring their animal with them when they are in an off-campus study program. While CIIS and SAS strive to ensure that all students have the necessary tools to create the off-campus study that is best for them, it is important to be aware that most countries around the world do not recognize ESAs in the same capacity that the United States does. Many countries do not allow animals in public places such as university classrooms, stores, museums, public transit, etc. unless the animal is a professionally trained Service Animal. 

There can be confusion about the difference between an ESA and a Service Animal. To clarify: 

• An ESA is not trained to perform any specific tasks; an ESA’s main function is to provide emotional comfort and support through its presence. 
• A Service Animal is trained to perform specific tasks related to a person’s disability such as guiding a blind or visually impaired person, alerting a deaf person to sounds in their environment, providing early detection of an imminent seizure, or other services required by people with physical disabilities or impairments. 

If your off-campus study program takes you to domestic locations within the United States, you will need to work with CIIS and SAS to determine the feasibility of bringing your approved assistance animal with you. Early planning is essential.