Enabled Abroad

We actively collaborate with Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) to facilitate equal access for students with visible and non-visible disabilities interested in participating in a study abroad program.

We can provide on-site accessibility information for our programs and arrange for on-site support if necessary. We will assist you throughout the entirety of your study abroad process to ensure that your experience is positive and meaningful.

With Illinois: Students With Disabilities Realize Study Abroad Dreams (Video)




Questions to Consider, Tips, & Resources

  • How might my experience with my disability abroad differ from my experience in the United States?
  • How might I meet my needs regarding my disability while abroad and is there a program that offers this kind of support?
  • What does having a disability mean in my host country? What terminology is utilized in the host language to refer to people with disabilities?
  • What does the population of people with disabilities look like in my host country? How visible and large is it?
  • What are the cultural attitudes, beliefs, and norms of the host culture regarding people with disabilities?
  • What resources are available to people with disabilities in my program or in my host country?
  • How should I respond if people give me unsolicited help in my host country?
  • Am I willing to disclose my disability to others?
  • How accessible are the physical spaces, resources, and services in my host country?
  • Will the inaccessibility of a program activity or excursion prevent me from participating?
  • Students registered with DRES who are eligible for on-campus accommodations are encouraged to speak with their DRES representative and an IAGE staff member as early in the process as possible so that options for disability-related accommodations can be identified.
  • Find out as much as you can about your host culture and how they view different disabilities by reading, talking to other students who have studied abroad with a disability, and consulting with units on campus and abroad.
  • Think about how you will answer questions about your disability in the language of your host country – look up key vocabulary words ahead of time.
  • Reflect on the challenges you anticipate from your host environment and how you plan to find positive and creative ways to overcome these challenges before they arise.