Ashford University prides itself on its mission to provide accessible educational opportunities to its students, and takes its commitment to students with disabilities seriously. If you wish to participate in Ashford University’s Travel Studies courses, and anticipate needs due to a disability, then you are encouraged to seek information and explore their options by opening a dialog regarding Travel Studies with Ashford University’s Office of Student Access and Wellness and the Travel Studies Coordinator.

Under federal and state laws, Ashford University is not required to provide additional funding, additional supports, or special facilities to accommodate students with disabilities who wish to participate in study programs outside of the territorial United States. Ashford University cannot guarantee that Travel Studies programs will be as accessible to persons with disabilities as programs provided within the territorial United States.

What Are the Essential Steps?
Funding
Questions to Ask as You Prepare for Travel Studies
Medication and Medical Care Abroad
Resources

What Are the Essential Steps?
In order to determine what modifications might be possible, you will need to work with an Ashford University Access and Wellness Specialist, the Travel Studies Coordinator, and the faculty and host institution abroad to assess your needs and the modification possibilities.

It is best to explore fully your Travel Studies options and identify the program that best meets your academic interests and different types of accessibility requirements. Financial responsibilities for accommodations abroad will default to you, the student, if not met by other sources. If you receive funding from the Department of Rehabilitation, have your Rehabilitation Representative contact your Financial Services Advisor in order to process your payments.

Early Disclosure
Please inform the Office of Student Access and Wellness of your disability and anticipated needs immediately by sending an email to access@ashford.edu. It is important to let both of these offices know early in the process in order for them to determine whether a particular program can meet your access needs. If you are not sure you will require services abroad, it is still important to make potential needs known so that a plan is in place should an unexpected problem arise. Additionally, early disclosure will help you plan for the funding that you must secure.

It is important to let both of these offices know early in the process in order for them to determine whether a particular program can meet your access needs. If you are not sure you will require services abroad, it is still important to make potential needs known so that a plan is in place should an unexpected problem arise. Additionally, early disclosure will help you plan for the funding that you must secure.

It is important to let both of these offices know early in the process in order for them to determine whether a particular program can meet your access needs. If you are not sure you will require services abroad, it is still important to make potential needs known so that a plan is in place should an unexpected problem arise. Additionally, early disclosure will help you plan for the funding that you must secure.

 

Plan Ahead
Research the accessibility of each site to determine which destinations best suit your academic endeavors and access needs. Reference the disability sections below for questions to think about when considering how your specific disability may impact you in a study site. It is not possible to anticipate all concerns, but pre-departure planning will help. Note that Ashford University cannot guarantee that facilities and/or support services will be available at each location abroad with the same range and quality. Among the resources available are the Travel Studies Coordinator and faculty members who can outline potential challenges and adventures of a host country. Also, visit Mobility International for general information about specific study sites.

Funding
You should be aware that The Office of Civil Rights has opined that Section 504 and Title II of the Rehabilitation Act and ADA, respectively, do not apply extra-territorially, and therefore these federal and state laws do not require the University to provide funding for accommodations and/or facilities beyond US borders.
It is your responsibility to assure that any funding required for special services abroad is arranged well in advance.
If funding is not available, you are responsible for all costs associated with special services abroad.
If you disclose needs at the last minute, you may be advised to postpone participation.
Be Flexible
Travel Studies requires adaptability for people with and without disabilities. Visiting another culture will bring new challenges, including disability services and accessibility standards that might differ significantly from what you have experienced in the United States.

Documentation
At your request, the Office of Student Access and Wellness will write a letter which documents your disability and notes your access needs; this is sent to your Travel Studies faculty and host university. Ask for a copy of this letter for your records. In addition, it is important to bring a copy of your medical documentation abroad, including prescription information. A copy should be left with your emergency contact in the event that your copy is lost or damaged.

Disability Specific Questions to Ask as You Prepare for Travel Studies
Processing Disabilities (LD, ADHD, Psychological, Brain injuries)

  • Will you need note takers for class?
  • What are your host university’s policies on extended exam time?
    Is the host university willing to authorize your usual test accommodations based on American medical documentation?
  • What tutoring services might be available and at what cost?
  • If you need to see a doctor or therapist for psychological concerns while abroad, have you established this contact prior to departure?
  • Have you considered bringing a personal recording device for lectures? Do you have permission to record lectures?
  • Are books available on tape or CD?
  • How will you fund any special accommodations?

Chronic Systemic Disorders

  • If you have respiratory problems or severe allergies, what is the air and environmental quality in the city you are considering?
  • If your condition is affected by temperatures, what is the climate in your prospective host city?
    What prior notification has been given to the instructors regarding potential absences, should your condition flare up unexpectedly?
  • Will you need extended time on assignments?
    If you normally receive test accommodations, do you have authorization through the host university to receive the same accommodations there?
  • What special dietary considerations might you have?
    How will you fund any special accommodations?

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

  • Will you need an interpreter or Realtime Captioning?
  • Where and how will the interpreter be hired?
  • What is the hourly rate for interpreters in the host country? (Note that interpreter costs vary widely from country to country and within the same country.)
  • Does the interpreter know American Sign Language? Sign language is not universal and may differ between countries that have the same spoken language. Students should find out the differences before leaving. It may be possible to depart early to learn the new sign language.
  • If you are taking a personal FM system, can you obtain batteries in your host country that work for your device?
  • Who will notify your instructor of the need to wear the FM microphone?
  • Will you need a note taker?
  • Are captioned videos available?
  • How will you fund any special accommodations?

Orthopedic Disabilities

  • Will you take one or two wheelchairs? Electric or manual?
  • Do you need a transformer? Is the voltage in your host country compatible with your transformer?
  • How will you ship your chairs abroad?
  • Where can your chair be repaired abroad?
  • Do you need to make additional arrangements to get from the airport to the orientation site or to your host university?
  • Are the streets and sidewalks paved or cobblestone? Are there curb cuts for wheelchair access?
  • What is the accessibility of the host university and city (elevators, bathrooms, classrooms, housing, transportation, etc.)?
  • Is voice recognition software available?
  • Will you need note takers, scribes, or transcribers?
  • What kind of field trips might your program go on? Are they accessible?
  • Are lab or library assistants available in your host country?
  • Do you need extended time on assignments or exams?
  • How will you fund any special accommodations?
  • Will you take one or two wheelchairs? Electric or manual?

Visual Impairments

  • Have you contacted the consulate of your host country to determine if you will need to put your guide dog in quarantine?
  • Will special housing or food arrangements be necessary for your dog? Is your dog allowed into the classroom?
  • Are alternate formats available? (books on tape, Braille, e-text, scanning, CCTV, etc.).
  • Will you need a mobility assistant to help you?
  • Have you obtained maps of your host city and enlarged them to become familiar with directions before departure?
  • What kind of test accommodations will you need?
  • Is there Braille signage on buildings, elevators, classroom, ATMs, etc.?
  • Will you have access to computer software in order to write papers or read assignments?
  • How will you fund any special accommodations?

Medication and Medical Care Abroad
Before departure, you should consult and have a plan in place with a physician about medication management and medical care needs while abroad. If you take medication, you should inquire if your prescription is legal and available in the host country, or if you will be able to take an extra supply of medication that will last during your stay. Contact the consulate or embassy for your host country to inquire about whether your medication is considered a controlled substance and to determine procedures for bringing your medication into the host country. Also, if you may need to see a doctor or psychologist while abroad, discuss this with the Travel Studies Coordinator or Access and Wellness Specialist so you understand what physicians or medical facilities are available in your host city. Establish contact with these medical providers before departure to clarify eligibility for services and payment issues.

Personal Attendants
If you are bringing a personal attendant, you must make sure the attendant has the necessary passport, visa, documentation, insurance, and immunizations for traveling abroad. Where will he or she stay? What kind of funding will he or she need? If you will need to hire an attendant abroad, you should find out before departure what steps to follow and what funding will support this cost.

Resources
Access Abroad at the University of Minnesota
Mobility International U.S.A. (MIUSA)
National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE)

Office of Student Access and Wellness access@ashford.edu 866.974.5700, ext. 1000

Travel Studies Student Access Information