Global Education

Accommodations and Disabilities

The Ohio State University strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience barriers based on your disability (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please inform the Office of International Affairs or your program coordinator to privately discuss options. Just as cultures differ from country to country, so do perceptions of disability and reasonable accommodations. In collaboration with the Office of Student Life Disability Services (SLDS), OIA seeks to enable all students to pursue an international experience.

When to Disclose Your Disability

Students admitted to university managed programs can voluntarily disclose any disabilities and request accommodations after admission to their program by completing the Disabilities and Accommodations Form in the post acceptance materials. Planning ahead prior to admission can be a critical component in determining accessibility on specific programs or certain locations. Students are advised to start their research at least one year in advance of their travel to determine potential accessibility, issues and reasonable accommodations. Voluntary disclosure of your disability and accommodation requests can assist others in supporting your exploration. Predisclosed disabilities and accommodation requests are not factored into the application process.

Considerations for Accessibility

Students planning to travel abroad are advised to prepare in advance by fully researching the country and potential education abroad experience. The following questions represent some initial considerations for researching reasonable accommodations and discussing opportunities with resident directors, program coordinators or an SLDS access specialist. 

Resources