Guidance for Professors: Accommodating Students with Disabilities in Study Abroad Programs
How Does the Americans with Disabilities Act Apply Overseas?
The laws that ensure equal access for students with disabilities in the US may or may not be practiced in other countries. Students who have been deemed eligible for accommodations at Dickinson are encouraged to enlist the assistance of their CGSE Program Directors to determine which, if any, of their US-approved accommodations might be transferrable to their host institutions.
What is Expected of Dickinson Faculty Teaching in CGSE Programs?
Faculty who teach in Dickinson-run programs abroad are expected to follow US laws and honor approved accommodations whenever logistically feasible. Please include the following statement in the syllabus for your study abroad program(s):
Accommodating Students with Disabilities
Dickinson values diverse types of learners and is committed to ensuring that each student is afforded an equal opportunity to participate in all learning experiences. Dickinson College makes reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities who have provided qualifying documentation to Access and Disability Services (ADS) via www.dickinson.edu/ADS. The college’s ability to accommodate students with disabilities in various global programs differs. Students registered with ADS requesting accommodations for study abroad must obtain from access@dickinson.edu a current Academic Accommodation Eligibility Letter for Studying Abroad. Additionally, it is critical that you schedule a meeting with me as soon as possible in the semester to review the letter and determine if and how each listed accommodation might be implemented. For students with disabilities seeking to request accommodations for the first time, email access@dickinson.edu.
What Does ADS Provide to Students with Disabilities Studying Abroad?
Each student approved to receive academic accommodations is sent an email with a study abroad-specific letter of accommodations addressed to the Program Director and/or Professor, as well as guidance regarding their pursuit of accommodations overseas. As you’ll see, ADS strongly encourages students with academic accommodations to disclose their needs to you and the CGSE staff.