Office of International Affairs

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.In collaboration with the Office of Student Life Disability Services , 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. Pre-disclosed 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. 

  • How might traveling abroad differ from the United States? Does studying abroad require adjustments or additional arrangements to successfully engage in the experience?
  • What does having a disability mean in the country I plan to travel to? What are the cultural attitudes, beliefs and norms of the local host culture regarding people with disabilities? Does the country have comparable access legislation?
  • How might factors including local diet and food preparation techniques, weather and climate or language capacity impact my experience?
  • What resources are available to people with disabilities in the country I plan to travel to or on the program I plan to study on? Will I be able to access public transportation, auxiliary aids, assistive devices or other accommodations?
  • How accessible are the physical spaces and accommodations in the country I plan to travel to?
  • Will I have access to medical resources, including trained medical providers, prescription medicines and needed medical equipment in the location(s) I travel to?
  • Would the inaccessibility of a specific program activity or excursion – e.g. long tours, historical sites or hiking – prevent me from participating fully in a program?
  • Am I willing to disclose my disability to others prior to and during my travels? What are the impacts if I decide not to request or utilize accommodations abroad?

Resources

Academic accommodations

Students requesting academic accommodations including attendance and deadline modifications, exam accommodations or note-taking assistance should confirm reasonable accommodations in advance of the start of their program. Depending on the nature of your request, you may need to register with SLDS and meet with an SLDS access specialist. Your resident director or program specialist can collaborate with your access specialist to assess reasonable accommodations for your education abroad experience.

Action items for students disclosing information and seeking reasonable academic accommodations:

  • Ohio State faculty-led program: Contact the resident director.
  • Third party provider, direct enrollment or international exchange programs: Contact the program specialist to assist in communicating your needs.
Dietary restrictions

Students requesting accommodations for reactions to major food allergens should consult with their doctor about their travel plans, including location(s), duration and specific itinerary details. When exploring options and preparing to travel, consider the following:

  • Transportation: Will airlines be able to accommodate your dietary restrictions or provide a buffer zone in flight?
  • Housing: Will you stay in a hotel, dorm, field station, homestay with local family? Are there lodging options where students can prepare their own foods?
  • Regional Food Preparation and Culture: Does the local cuisine traditionally use oils, nuts, creams or other allergens in their food preparation? Does the country traditionally lack labeling of food ingredients in restaurants and on packaging? Is it easy to culturally communicate concern about food ingredients and preparation? Do you have the language capacity to convey your food restrictions?
  • Medical Resources: Do you require routine or potential emergency access to an allergist or medical professional in the event of an allergic reaction? Do you require medication (including EpiPen) that may be unobtainable or illegal in your destination? Would an allergic reaction prompt the need for emergency services within certain proximity?

Action items for students disclosing information and seeking reasonable dietary accommodations:

  • All Travelers: Consult with a trained medical provider, allergist, dietician or nutritionist. Utilize the resource links below to develop strategies to prepare for travel, communicate your dietary needs and restrictions and identify resources for medical care.
  • Ohio State faculty-led program: Communicate your request to your program coordinator as soon as possible. Indicate if your condition may require access to routine or emergency medical care.
  • Third party provider, direct enrollment or international exchange programs: Requests should be made directly to the program provider or overseas program. This is typically done on a separate accommodations or housing form submitted directly to the program.

Resources

Environmental allergies

Students requesting housing or other accommodations related to environmental allergies should consult with their doctor about their travel plans, including location(s), duration and specific itinerary details. When exploring options and preparing to travel, consider the following:

  • Transportation: Will long distance airline travel provide exposure to animals, scents or other triggers in flight or in airports?
  • Housing: Will you stay in a hotel, dorm, field station, homestay with local family? Are there lodging options that can reduce exposure to scents, smoke or other allergens? Does the housing lack doors, windows, screens or air-conditioning to mitigate exposure to insects?
  • Local Environment: What is the local air-quality and potential exposure to air pollution? Is the program located at an increased elevation? Is the program in a remote or wilderness location?
  • Medical Resources: Do you require routine or potential emergency access to an allergist or medical professional in the event of an allergic reaction? Do you require medication (including EpiPen) that may be unobtainable or illegal in your destination? Would an allergic reaction prompt the need for emergency services within certain proximity?

Action items for students disclosing information and seeking reasonable environmental accommodations:

  • All Travelers: Consult with a trained medical provider or allergist about your travel itinerary. Utilize the resource links below to develop strategies to prepare for travel, communicate your health needs and identify resources for medical care.
  • Ohio State faculty-led program: Communicate your request to your program coordinator as soon as possible. Requests for housing accommodations should be made immediately. Indicate if your condition may require access to routine or emergency medical care.
  • Third party provider, direct enrollment or international exchange programs: Requests should be made directly to the program provider or overseas program. This is typically done on a separate accommodations or housing form submitted directly to the program.

Resources

Mobility accommodations

Students who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, experience chronic fatigue or have other mobility-related concerns should consider researching the following:

  • Transportation: What are the transportation options to program site abroad (e.g. group flight, individual travel)? What forms of local transportation are used abroad (e.g. public transportation, private coach, taxis)?
  • Accommodation: What forms of accommodation are used (e.g. hotel, dorm, field station, home stay with local family)? Does the program require a daily commute between the housing and the academic facilities?
  • Activities: Does the program include excursions to museums, historical sites, field locations or adventure activities that may not have accessible arrangements?
  • Exertion Level: What is the exertion level on the program? Does the itinerary involve long-days or include opportunities for rest? Do certain activities involve long walks, tours, hiking or other strenuous physical activities?

Action items for students disclosing and seeking reasonable mobility accommodations:

  • Ohio State faculty-led program
    • Communicate your request to your program specialist as soon as possible. Requests for housing accommodations should be made immediately.
    • If you are currently registered with the SLDS, inform your program specialist of the name and contact information of your SLDS access specialist. If not registered, you may be requested to do so.
  • Third party provider, direct enrollment or international exchange programs: Requests will need to be made directly to the program provider or overseas program. Your program specialist and access specialist can assist in communicating accommodation requests.

External Resources

Sensory accommodations

Students who are D/deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind or low-vision should consider researching the following information:

  • Transportation: What are the transportation options to program site abroad (e.g. group flight, individual travel)? What forms of local transportation are used – (e.g. public transportation, private coach, taxis)?
  • Accommodation: Will you stay in a hotel, dorm, field station, home stay with local family? Does the program require a daily commute between the housing and the academic facilities? Will service animals be permitted?
  • Activities: Does the program include excursions to museums, historical sites, field locations or adventure activities that may not have accessible arrangements?
  • Language: Are American sign-language interpreters available? Will accessible media be available and translated into English?

Action items for students disclosing and seeking reasonable sensory accommodations:

  • Ohio State faculty-led program
    • Communicate your request to your program specialist as soon as possible. Requests for housing accommodations should be made immediately. Include any assistive technology or accessible media you currently utilize.
    • If you are currently registered with the SLDS, inform your program specialist of the name and contact information of your SLDS access specialist. If not registered, you may be requested to do so.
  • Third party provider, direct enrollment or international exchange programs
    • Requests should be made directly to the program specialist or overseas program. Your program specialist and SLDS access specialist can assist in communicating accommodation requests.

External Resources

 

Service animals and ESAs

Service dogs and emotional support animals play an important role in the life of individuals with disabilities. It is important for international travelers with service animals or ESAs to remember bringing animals to a foreign country can be a lengthy, multistep process. Relevant laws, health factors, appropriate facilities and cultural expectations will vary between countries and even between education abroad programs. Some countries and programs may be incompatible with bringing a service animal or ESA abroad. While the university will make an effort to meet animal-related accommodation requests, we encourage you to consider your need for a service animal or ESA abroad and discuss with your specialist which programs may be compatible:

  • Transportation: Is there a quarantine period, proof of vaccination records or other requirements for animals entering the country of travel? What forms of local transportation are used abroad (e.g. public transportation, private coach, taxis); will they permit transport of a service animal?
  • Accommodation: Will you stay in a hotel, dorm, field station, home stay with local family? Will service animals or ESAs be permitted?
  • Activities: Does the program include excursions to museums, historical sites, field locations or adventure activities that may not have accessible arrangements?
  • Animal Care: Would your service animal or ESA have access to appropriate veterinary care and nutrition while abroad? Would they be exposed to feral animal populations, rabies or other environmental factors that might endanger their health?

Action items for students disclosing and seeking accommodations to travel with service animals and ESAs

  • All Travelers:
    • Research the country specific customs requirements. Completion of required paperwork and pre-travel veterinary requirements are the traveler’s responsibility.
    • Speak with the animal’s veterinarian about specific animal health concerns related to air travel and location of travel.
    • Speak with your medical provider about the travel itinerary. U.S. airlines require specific documentation from a licensed mental health professional or a medical doctor dated within one year of your scheduled flight.
  • Ohio State faculty-led program
    • Communicate your request to your program specialist as soon as possible.
    • If you are currently registered with the SLDS, inform your program specialist of the name and contact information of your SLDS access specialist. If not registered, you may be requested to do so.
  • Third party provider, direct enrollment or international exchange programs – Requests will need to be made directly to the program provider or overseas program. Your program specialist and access specialist can assist in communicating accommodation requests.

External Resources