The following administrative guidelines assist in determining responsibility for providing study abroad accommodations for students with disabilities. Other institutions should consult with their legal counsel to determine if these guidelines are appropriate for their programs.

Role of Learning Abroad Center

• Learning Abroad Center staff may share information with Disability Services as-needed.
• The Learning Abroad Center should consult with Disability Services to discuss possible alternative accommodations if the onsite site to recluctant to comply.
• The Learning Abroad Center must help determine the requirements for participation in the program.

Role of Other Institutions

• If a U of M student with a disability studies through an outside program, that organization is responsible for arranging the accommodations.
• If the student receives credit for study from his/her home institution, that institution is financially responsible for the cost of the accommodations.

Role of Disability Services

• Disability Services staff may share student information with the Learning Abroad Center for the purpose of determining whether a student is qualified for study abroad or for arranging disability accommodations.
• Reasonable accommodations will be recommended by Disability Services in consultation with the student, the Learning Abroad Center, and the overseas site.
• Disability Services must help determine the requirements for participation in the program.

Role of Student

• Students are responsible for their own personal property.

Role of University of Minnesota

• The University has no legal obligation to provide accommodations to students who do not provide medical certification to Disability Services or make timely requests.
• The University is responsible for providing accommodations so that a student with a disability is not denied an opportunity to participate in the program because of his/her disability.
• A personal attendant is not a required part of a program, so the University of Minnesota is not responsible for financing an attendant.
• The University has a legal responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.
• If the student receives credit from the U of M, the U of M is responsible for the cost of accommodations.
• The U of M is programmatically responsible for providing accommodations for sponsored programs.

Last modified on November 21, 2008