Disability and Accessibility Abroad
Banner photo credit: Olga Titica, "Summer Sunset"
(UCalgary International Photo Contest)
All students with visible or invisible disabilities can engage in global learning and have an incredible, transformative experience. The most important thing to know is that you are not alone in your journey – and, in many cases, you aren’t the first student to “go global” with a similar situation or accessibility needs! Our Global Learning Advisors have helped students with a wide range of physical and mental health concerns to find programs that can best support them, both for travelling abroad and engaging in global learning online.
For example, some of our past students required mobility aides, exam accommodations, access to counselling services, physical therapy, or medications/prescriptions that had to be imported to their destination country. We have also supported students in travelling abroad with a variety of chronic illnesses, chronic pain, neurodiversity, or autoimmune diseases. From these experiences, we can provide advice on everything from selecting your program to arranging accommodations and communicating your needs in a cultural context.
Not every global learning program can offer an equal level of accessibility. Exchange programs held at a partner university may offer different services than UCalgary and have different processes to request services. Group study programs, which are facilitated by UCalgary instructors and teach UCalgary courses, may have a more interactive learning style that is unable to perfectly match all academic accommodations. The cultural dimension of disability and local attitudes also play a significant role in the types of services available. These are things to consider when selecting a program.
Please find helpful questions, resources, and links below to better assist your research into global learning opportunities. If you have any questions or would like additional assistance or guidance, please do not hesitate to contact one of our advisors at study.abroad@ucalgary.ca.
Advice for selecting a program
Start with what you know
You are the expert of your own disability, and your lived experience is the best foundation to start preparing. Consider where you are now. What factors at home interact with your disability, both in your academic and personal life? What are the challenges you currently navigate?
Identify your needs
The tools, accommodations, or other strategies you have in place at home are likely transferrable to a global learning program, but there may be limitations on which programs can accommodate these needs. Make a list of your needs. What would you like to have available to you in order to feel supported? Which of your needs are essential (dealbreakers) vs. preferred (ideal, but flexible)?
Research your options
Now that you have identified your needs, you can begin researching global learning programs. You are welcome to do this research independently, but we also recommend that you reach out to the Global Learning office! Our advisors are happy to talk about what you are looking for and help you find programs that best match.
Disclosing your needs
You are never obligated to disclose your disability or accessibility needs.
We encourage disclosure, as it will better enable your advisor to support you throughout your global learning experience, but it is entirely your choice if you wish to disclose, at what time, and how much you’re willing to share.
The application for global learning programs does not require you to disclose any disability or accessibility needs. This is to protect your right to confidentiality in the selection process.
If you choose to disclose to a Global Learning Advisor over email or conversation prior to applying (for example, to confirm your desired program will be able to meet your needs), this information will not be recorded or considered in your application; your application only includes the information that you provide yourself.
Once selected for a program, you will be asked to submit a registration form that includes information on your physical and mental health needs. However, what you choose to disclose is up to you, and you can select "no" if you wish.
Please know that it is never too late to disclose your needs. We recognize that some students prefer not to disclose their needs and feel confident that they will be able to navigate any challenges independently. Sometimes, this does not work out as planned – it is nothing to feel ashamed about.
If you find yourself struggling at any point before, during, or after your program, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Global Learning Advisor. Depending on how far your program has progressed, there may be fewer options available, but there are always some supports that your advisor will be able to offer.
Academic accomodations
Student Accessibility Services is a confidential service. If you have academic accommodations at UCalgary through SAS, this information is private and not shared with our office. The only way that we will learn about your accommodations is if you tell us directly.
We encourage you to connect with a Global Learning Advisor before applying (if you are comfortable doing so) or promptly after being selected. Your advisor can help confirm that your desired global learning program will be able to match your existing academic accommodations and guide you on the process for arranging accommodations on that program.
If you do not have existing academic accommodations at UCalgary, but your situation changes before or during your global learning program and you are struggling academically, you are always welcome to contact your Global Learning Advisor. We have worked with students in the past who needed to arrange accommodations or other academic support midway through their program and we are always willing to explore these options with you.
Please note that this is a general guide only. Speaking with the Global Learning Advisor for your desired program is the best way to know "for sure" what you can expect.
Exchange programs:
Group Study Programs:
Research & internship programs: Due to large variation between programs, please contact a Global Learning Advisor to discuss.
My time in Australia still ranks highly as an important period of my life. I established that independent long-distance travel for an extended time is well within my grasp and my disability is more of an inconvenience than a barricade [...] Within the context of my limited experience, I have found that world travel and learning from international culture is worth the intensified difficulties.
Kevin Cosgrove
Student with a visual impairment who studied abroad in Melbourne, Australia
Check out Kevin's blog: Into Unknown Territory
Resources for further research
Student experiences:
- Studying Abroad as a Spoonie - a blog by Taylor, who studied abroad in Ireland.
- The ADD/ADHD Person's Guide to Prepping for Study Abroad - a blog by Allie, who studied abroad in Italy.
- A Reflection on Being Autistic in Japan - a blog by Macks, who studied abroad in Japan.
- 12 Study Abroad resources for students with disabilities - a blog by Hannah, who writes about studying with a wheelchair in London.
- How to study abroad while coping with a chronic illness - a blog by an anonymous student who has fibromyalgia.
General advice:
- Sick Girl Travels Blog - written by Jen, who has visited a multitude of countries; she also has advice for air travel accessibility at most major airlines.
- YYC Accessibility - accessibility support available at the Calgary International Airport.
- The Autistic Travel & Food Blog - written by Matthew, an AuDHD coach with advice for autistic travellers, especially focused on Europe.
- Tips for travelling with chronic illness - an article by Nicola, who discusses her experience travelling with Lyme disease, as well as general advice.
- Inclusive Mobility - information on accessibility & support services at university campuses in Europe. Also, the Jaccede interactive platform (available on website or as a phone app) has a searchable user-built database to identify accessibility information of public venues and locations in Europe.
- Mobility International - although this website is designed for an American audience, it includes some great articles & suggestions that all students might find helpful.