Advising Process

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What is Access Abroad Advising?

The Advising Process assists study abroad and disability services staff in understanding the role each plays in advising and assisting a student with a disability. The advising process is initiated when a student self-discloses a disability to Learning Abroad Center staff or informs Disability Services staff that she or he plans to study abroad.

Who Talks to Whom

  • The Learning Abroad Center typically communicates with the overseas site regarding a student's accommodation needs.
  • Once the student is abroad, the Disability Specialist serves as a consultant to the Learning Abroad Center.
  • In most cases, Learning Abroad Center staff is the contact for the student and overseas site once the student is abroad.

Who is Responsible for What

  • The University of Minnesota's Learning Abroad Center and Disability Services are financially responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to U of M students with disabilities who study abroad.
  • The Learning Abroad Center accepts students from other colleges and universities as well as non-degree-seeking students for participation in Learning Abroad Center programs.
  • For non-U of M students, financial responsibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • The Learning Abroad Center cannot facilitate arrangement of disability accommodations for students that wish to study on outside programs, those not endorsed by Learning Abroad Center.

Sample Advising Questions

  1. Why did you select this particular site? Are you flexible about your country of study?
  2. Have you ever been abroad? If yes, what kinds of accommodations did you find necessary?
  3. What housing option are you considering?
  4. Have you registered with Disability Services and/or met with a Disability Specialist to discuss accommodations you might need?
  5. Do you have information about accommodations or resources at the desired location?
  6. Do you know the difference between a Learning Abroad Center program and an outside program?

University of Minnesota Students

The Learning Abroad Center will:

  • Encourage the student to meet with a Disability Specialist to document the disability condition and discuss specific accommodation needs.
  • Give the student the name of the Learning Abroad Center program advisor who will serve as primary liaison with Disability Services.
  • Provide student with Access Abroad resources.

The Disability Specialist will:

The student will:

Non-U of M Students

The Learning Abroad Center will:

  • Obtain the name of the student's Disability Specialist. If student does not have one, the Learning Abroad Center will refer the student to the home institution's Disability Services.
  • Send the Student Accommodation Request Form to the student's Disability Specialist, who completes the form using current medical documentation to support requested accommodations.
  • Consult with the student's home institution on any requested accommodations in regards to financial assistance.

The Disability Specialist will:

  • Complete the Student Accommodation Request Form with the student in order to identify the types of accommodations needed overseas.
  • Fax, send or have the student deliver the completed Student Accommodation Request form to the appropriate Learning Abroad Center adviser.

The Student will:

  • The student will meet with their Disability Specialist to discuss possible overseas accommodations and together complete the Student Accommodation Request Form.
  • Consult the Student Resources for next steps to take.

Next Steps for All Students

The Learning Abroad Center will:

  • Send the completed Student Accommodation Request Form to the study abroad site.
  • Receive a response from the overseas site and review possible accommodations.
  • Provide the student with a Student Accommodation Letter clarifying available accommodations and meet with the student to discuss arrangements and/or alternatives, if desired or necessary.
  • Consult with Disability Services and the overseas staff as needed.

The Disability Specialist and/or Student will:

  • Discuss recommended accommodations with the student and the Learning Abroad Center, based on information received from the overseas site.

Questions and Answers

What if the Learning Abroad Center needs more information on disability issues?

The University of Minnesota's Disability Services is available to provide general consultation on disability issues to the Learning Abroad Center before and during the student's study experience.

What if unexpected additional accommodation needs arise once a student is abroad?

On-site staff consult Learning Abroad Center staff regarding accommodation requests. Disability Services act as a consultant to Learning Abroad Center in determining accommodations. Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.

What if a student requires accommodations to access Learning Abroad Center resource materials? (e.g. a blind student needs a reader to review study abroad information)?

The Learning Abroad Center may encourage the student to contact Disability Services to request assistance. Staff work with Disability Services to facilitate any necessary arrangements.

What if a student decides not register or consult with Disability Services?

The Learning Abroad Center cannot provide a student with disability-related accommodations unless the student is registered with Disability Services. Disability Services is the only office authorized to determine needed accommodations.

What if a student is feeling uncertain about going abroad?

This is normal. A lot of students feel degree of uncertainty and nervousness before going abroad. Here are a few things to help:

  • Connect them with a study abroad peer mentor who has studied in the same country or who has a similar disability.
  • Encourage them to review the Student Resources section.
  • Reassure them that both their Disability Specialist and the Learning Abroad Center program adviser are available to answer questions and provide support.