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Going Abroad is for Everyone
Going abroad is one of the most effective ways to prepare college graduates to contribute to an increasingly global and interdependent society. Students with disabilities represent an important segment of the nontraditional student population, yet a survey of the Big Ten institutions revealed that they represented less than 1% of the students who study abroad.
Perceived Barriers of Access Abroad
- insufficient awareness of available international programs
- uncertainty regarding the accessibility of overseas sites
- lack of accessible sites to which to send students
- lack of financial resources
- concerns about long-term study abroad being high-risk
Tools to Make Study Abroad More Accessible
- Student Advising: Foster the relationship between study abroad and disability professionals.
- Determining Site Accessibility: A necessary step in promoting study abroad for students with disabilities.
Program Promotion Tips
- Add disability statements to all study abroad program publications.
- Include photos of students with disabilities in all promotional materials.
- Make your website accessible
- Keep Disability Specialists informed of information sessions and new program initiatives.
- Advertise study abroad events or scholarships in the Disability Services office.
- Highlight financial assistance and travel grants for study abroad.
- Put students in touch with other students with disabilities: Learn about Peer Mentors.
Short-Term Option
Global Seminars focus attention on developing a number of short-term faculty-led programs on a particular theme or topic. Such programs can provide an experience abroad for students that are hesitant to commit to a longer stay or want to try out a study abroad experience.
Last modified on November 21, 2008 |