Individual experience
- If I am the only person with a disability in my program, how will that impact my experience abroad?
- What support systems are necessary to help me overcome barriers or to cope with bias related incidents?
Host country/city
- Overall, what is the physical environment and terrain like of my host city and/or host university?
- What is my host culture’s attitude toward individuals with disabilities (mobility, psychiatric, hearing, vision, learning, etc)?
- Are local businesses (banks, shopping centers, markets, grocery stores, etc) accessible?
Transportation accessibility
- What will my airport arrival and departure assistance look like?
- How will I be expected to navigate while away?
- What are the public transportation options available in the place of interest?
- Are these public transportation options accommodating to my needs?
- What are my alternatives to public transportation while gone?
- Are local taxis, Uber, Lyft, or other ride services a safe and reliable option while I’m away?
- Does the host institution or program offer transportation services? How will I pay these extra transportation expenses?
- Are there any resources that would help fund my transportation needs while away?
Service animals
- How does this country view service animals?
- What are the protocols needed to have my service animal come away with me?
- Can I have my service animal be recognized as one while away?
- Will my service animal be allowed on the host institution grounds?
- What are the protocol and paperwork needed to have my service animal recognized as such at the host institution?
- Will I be guaranteed housing in a place where service animals are accepted, or will I have to find my own housing?
- How will I get my service animal to adapt to a new environment?
Medications
- Is the medication I need to support myself legal in my study abroad or away destination?
- What are the protocols and paperwork needed to have this medication taken with me?
- What do I need to have my doctor or health care provider prescribe me with enough medication to last me for my study abroad or away program?
- What are my options if I need more of the same medication?
- Where and how should I pack this medication?
Housing and Meals
- Will I be placed in a housing situation that will meet my accommodation needs?
- Will I be allowed to find my own housing situation? Will I have assistance in searching for housing?
- If I will be placed with a host family, will they be understanding of my accommodation needs? What can I do if they are not?
- Are there accessible housing options that are close to classes?
- If there are dining areas, laundry rooms, and study areas, are those accessible as well?
- If I have special dietary needs, how can I request this?
Host Institution
- Will the host institution accommodate my needs?
- How different is the academic environment, and is there flexibility for longer test time, reduced workloads, mandatory excursions, etc?
- Are bathrooms in key areas (classrooms, housing, libraries, etc) accessible?
- What will the learning experience and learning expectations be like?
- What are the protocols and paperwork needed to have staff and professors recognize my accommodation needs?
- Does the host institution have a disability resource center?
- How many on-site resources (offices, staff, note taking assistants, books on tape, etc) are offered?
- Are there any organizations or clubs or resources as to where I can find community with my disability, different ability, or accommodation needs?
Counseling and Medical Services
- Does the health insurance I receive while I’m away cover additional counseling and medical services I may need?
- How can I continue my therapy sessions while away?
- Where can I find a local therapist?
- Where can I find a therapist in my dominant language?
- What are my options for therapy and medical providers?
- Does the host institution offer therapy sessions or medical services for their students at special rates?
- Do I qualify for these sessions or services?
Costs of additional accommodations and support
- How will my financial aid packaging support these additional costs, or are they expected to be paid out of pocket?
- Are there additional resources such as aid, grants, or scholarships I should look into to help fund these additional costs?