Incorporating Universal Design Concepts Into Study Abroad

Elizabeth Standaert, University of St. Thomas | Carol Larson, University of Pittsburgh

INCORPORATING UNIVERSAL DESIGN CONCEPTS INTO STUDY ABROAD

• What might it look like if a student with _______ participated in this program?

• No student without a disability is going to be harmed by hearing this information!

STARTING PRINCIPLES

• Is the campus in the middle of the city, on the outskirts, residential area, rural, by the beach?

• What is the area's terrain like?

• What is the typical transportation like?

• Is there a typical course structure/format?

• What sorts of resources are available to foreign students studying there (tutoring, writing center, teacher availability) or other support services that American students are familiar with being available?

INFORMATION WORTH SHARING

• What is the housing situation typically like? (some right off campus while others may be farther; on-campus dorms; everyone takes public transit between home and school)

• What sort of outside activities are typically done with this program? (organized activities or on your own activities)

INFORMATION WORTH SHARING

• Educate each other

• United outreach

DISABILITY RESOURCE OFFICE AND STUDY ABROAD OFFICE

• Make effort to know what accommodations are typically offered

• Is provider receptive to questions from student, school, and parents?

• Ask colleagues for their experiences

• Be specific in your questions and if response isn’t what you need, look further

BE FAMILIAR WITH PROGRAMS/PROVIDERS

• A foreign environment brings new needs

• Figuring out what is needed is a learning process

• Strategize with the Disability Resource Office

HOME ENVIRONMENT VS FOREIGN ENVIRONMENT

• Mobility International USA

http://www.miusa.org/

ONLINE RESOURCES

• Educate all university offices of this mission

• Include this message in all recruiting situations

OUTREACH IDEAS

Q&A

• Access Assessment and Site Accessibility Questionnaire

http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/profesionals/accessabroad/siteaccessibility

• Accommodations Request Form

http://umabroad.umn.edu/students/identity/disabilities/

• Assessment Forms

http://www.miusa.org/resources

Search “Advising (disability type) exchange participants”

RESOURCE LIST

• Elizabeth Standaert

standaert.elizabeth@gmail.com

(763) 360-6447

• Carol Larson

larson@pitt.edu

(412) 973-6864

CONTACT