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Students with Disabilities

Attitudes toward people with disabilities and laws about accessibility can look really different depending on the country and culture you’re in. The level of accommodations also varies by program, so it’s important to start planning early—ideally at least 6 months ahead—by connecting with both the Center for Study Away and the Center for Disability Resources to talk through options.

Don’t let a disability hold you back from studying away! In fact, living and learning in another country can give you insight into how different cultures approach disability and accessibility.

Because each program and country is unique, think about which accommodations or support systems you rely on at Macalester (including family and friends) and which ones are essential for your success abroad. Standards for accessibility in the U.S. may not exist everywhere else, so it helps to do your research, be flexible, and stay open to different ways of getting support.

You can prepare by talking with other students, using the reflection questions below, and exploring the resources we’ve suggested. And of course, the advisors in the Center for Study Away are always happy to talk with you about this during an advising session.

Questions to Ask

  • Selecting a Program

    • What disability services are you used to utilizing while on Macalester campus?

    • What types of accommodation and/or disability services are essential for your success in a study away program?

    • Have you spoken to the CSA staff about how program structure and location will impact your experience?

    • What type of documentation does the program require to confirm disability? Is updated information needed?

    • How accessible is the campus/housing/city in the program/area you are interested in?

    • How does the country you’re going to view people with your disability?

    • How important is it to have a community of other people with your disability while abroad?
  • Preparing for Departure

    • Have you spoken to the Center for Disability Resources about your disability and how it might be accommodated while away?

    • What might a reasonable accommodation look like on your study away program?

    • Do you have a need for a care provider either at your study away location or a connection to one back home?  How can you access needed care while away?

    • How will you access specific medications required for your disability (if needed)?

    • Are you willing to disclose your disability to others while away?

    • What are the physical environments like in your host country?

    • What are academics like in your host country? Is learning mainly from lecture, readings, independent research, or a different method? How are the assignments different than at Macalester?

    • What housing options exist on your program?

    • Is transportation available and accessible?

    • Will your disability prevent you from participating fully in all aspects of your study away program?

    • How will you answer questions about your disability in the language of the host country, if other than English?

    • How will you respond if you are treated differently because of your disability while abroad?

Mac Resources

External Resources

Student Voices

Scholarships and Grants

Mobility International’s list of scholarships

IES disability grants

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