Coming to the USA

— filed under: Non-US Citizen, Advising

The United States of America offers many educational and professional development options for people with disabilities. Learn about laws affecting people with disabilities in the US, and decide what kind of exchange program is right for you.

International Students and Visitors with Disabilities

What you need to know before coming to the United States.

Disability Information

Your Rights

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that protects the rights of people with disabilities, including people who are visiting the United States from other countries. US universities and exchange programs are not allowed to discriminate against any person because of a disability. As an international student, you will be protected by the ADA when you are in the United States.

Another law protecting the rights of people with disabilities when they are in school is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funds from the US Department of Education.

There are also laws that protect you when renting housing or flying on aircraft to or within the United States.

Getting What You Need

After you are accepted to a program or school, you can choose whether to tell your program or school about your disability. If you will need disability services:

You will be asked to provide proof of your disability to the program. Proof of a disability is usually a medical form, document, or letter from a doctor.
If you have a non-apparent disability, it is best this document is less than 3 years old.
The disability office may also do an interview to assess the current impact of your disability.

Sign reading "Fully Accessible Push button to Open Door" U.S. colleges and universities and exchange programs must provide access because of the ADA law. Access means that they will provide services to remove barriers for people with disabilities. Examples of these services (also known as “reasonable accommodations”) include extra test-taking time, accessible on-campus facilities, sign language interpreters, note takers, or Braille documents.

Almost all U.S. institutions have a disability services office or person that can help you learn that school’s policies and procedures. After acceptance, you should contact your school’s disability services office to talk with them about reasonable accommodations that you may need. The school is not required to provide services that are considered to be personal, such as a caregiver for personal needs or health care.

Find contacts in the local U.S. community for equipment or services that are not provided by your exchange program or school. They can talk to you about local and state disability groups. Learn more in the tipsheets:

Living in the United States

The ADA defines a person with a disability as:

someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
someone with a record of such impairment, or
someone who is regarded or perceived as having such an impairment.

This definition covers many disabilities such as learning disorders, diabetes, deafness, cerebral palsy, and major depression, in addition to physical disabilities.

The definition of disability can be different in other cultures. It may be different in your culture. For example, in some countries non-apparent disabilities such as attention deficit disorder or mental health conditions are not widely recognized as disabilities like they are in the United States.

Also, differences in cultural ideas of disability may affect the ways that you will receive the reasonable accommodations you need. In some cultures friends and family may provide any needed assistance, and it is best to speak person-to-person through direct conversations about what you need and why.

In the U.S. people with disabilities are expected to use the proper procedures in requesting and receiving accommodations. Typically, trained workers or other professionals are hired to provide the assistance.

Sometimes you may feel very far away from the people who usually provide you with support when on your own in the United States. Use this as an opportunity! U.S. disability culture teaches individual rights and responsibility. This means asking for the support of other people when you need it, and making your own decisions about your life. Self-advocacy skills will help you to succeed and grow both in the U.S. and when you return home.

Exchange Programs

How do you want to spend your time in the United States?

Harumi at the Eugene Celebration

Study Abroad

Further your education on an American campus.

Fellowships

Apply for a position to teach, study, and/or do research.

Volunteer

Make a difference in the United States.

Learn English

Access further opportunities by first learning English.

How to Prepare

Before you pack your bags, use the information below to help you plan other aspects of your US adventure.

Funding Your Experience

The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange does not offer direct funding, but we have resource lists to get you started. There are many sources of financial assistance and scholarships on our webpage "Financial Aid and Funding for International Exchange".

A few funding resources are available exclusively to people with disabilities, but you should not limit yourself to these. Most scholarships and funded programs encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply, and disability is an important part of diversity in the United States

The funding list is so broad and requires extensive research, and many awards require applicant essays, so students often don’t pursue all the scholarships available and some funding goes unused. When you see the number of different scholarships, it may seem rather overwhelming, but if you take it one step at a time, doing a little bit every day, you may find the assistance that you need. The EducationUSA Advising Centers in your country can also advise you on financial sources.

If you will be attending university in the U.S., then before you begin researching this list you should contact the financial aid offices at the schools where you would like to apply. They can advise you on scholarships and financial aid that are unique to the school, your field of interest, and scholarships specifically for international students or people with disabilities.

Health and Safety

Staying healthy and safe is key to having a successful exchange experience. Your exchange program, the EducationUSA office or the international student office at the U.S. university should have an orientation on safety tips in the United States.

Remember that the most important tip is to use your common sense! You may find that the stress of adjusting to a new culture and environment will have a negative effect on your health. Make sure you know where to go if you feel sick.

Also, if you think you may need specialized health care, contact and speak with a specialist before you leave so that there will be no delay if the need for urgent specialized care should arise. Your local specialist at home may be able to refer you to a doctor in your host community.

Read very carefully information about medical insurance while you are in the U.S. Many programs and universities provide health insurance as part of the program. However, for people with disabilities, you should ask specific questions about medications, equipment repair and replacement, and pre-existing conditions that may not be covered. See Health and Travel Insurance Considerations and be sure to find out the specifics of your coverage while in the United States.

Stories from People with Disabilities who Came to the USA

Fulbright Scholar from Nepal Breaks 'Fourth Wall': Nirmala Gyawali shares her experiences and challenges growing up blind in Nepal. Gyawali received a Fulbright Scholarship to earn a second bachelors degree in sociology at Colorado State University.
Musical Energy from Zimbabwe: A Zimbabwean student and musician with a disability shares his views on studying at a college in the U.S. in this video.
Jiayi Zhou - "Who is the Deaf Artist?": Jiayi Zhou is an artist from Shanghai, China who studies at Gallaudet University in the United States. Her art serves to create a bridge of understanding between the deaf and hearing worlds. View or listen to an audio description of her VSA exhibition.
Gallaudet Student Serves on International Panel at State Department Forum: Jiayi Zhou, a deaf graduate student at Gallaudet and a citizen of China, talked about her experiences pursuing higher education in the United States at the EducationUSA Forum in Washington, D.C.
Growing Up in Macedonia: Through her experience at the Overbrook School for the Blind in the United States, Adrijana Prokopenko learned how blind people live in parts of the world outside her native Macedonia. "Growing up in Macedonia" appeared in Future Reflections Vol 30, No 3.
A Global Language: An San Diego State University student from Burundi is recognized not only as the homecoming king, but as a champion for Deaf students on campus.
My International Study Experience at CSUN: With encouragement from her Deaf role models, Manako Yabe from Japan enrolled in the Deaf Studies program at California State University, Northridge, where she embraced her own Deaf identity and researched deaf American, Jamaican and Japanese students' access to higher education.
It Comes With its Own Territory: Samson Ngutwa is a Hubert Humphrey Fellow at the University of California Davis, where he develops skills that will apply to serving the public sector in his home country of Malawi. Samson has an amputated leg and uses a prosthetic.
U.S. Embassy Supports Study Trip on Disability Issues for Members of a Mongolian DPO: A four day program in Washington DC provided an overview of the rights of people with disabilities and the roles of government and civil society organizations in advocating the rights of people with physical disabilities.
Beyond Stereotyping: Yasushi Miyazaki's involvement with student groups on his US campus helped dispel stereotypes about Autism - including those he had believed about himself.
Accessible Advising: Reaching Students with Disabilities: Recording of a recent webinar presented by Olivia Hardin, Information Services Specialist with Mobility International USA's National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, which addresses issues around advising students with disabilities coming to the United States for post secondary studies.
In Search of a Different Career Path: My Education in the United States: An encounter with a Peace Corps volunteer convinced Francis, a young Deaf man from Zambia, that international exchange was a possibility for him too.
Painting with the Colors Given: Joe Chen is a person with a physical disability from China who volunteered at an American summer camp for children with disabilities.
Accessible Campus Close to 'Utopia' for Blind English Learner: When Svetlana Vasilyeva, who is blind, was accepted for a Humphrey mid-career professional fellowship, she first had an opportunity to study English in the United States which gave her time to adjust to the new environment.
U.S. Community Colleges Serve Disabled Students: The College of the Siskiyous, with its center for disabled students, is another excellent example that a student, no matter from what country, will get the best professional and friendly assistance that is needed. Community colleges are an especially good and economical place to start one's college education.
Working Together: Deaf Education and the Fulbright Program (Italy and USA): Opportunities abound for Americans and Italians desiring to research issues affecting Deaf citizens.
A Summer of Service in the United States: Alice Chen, who uses an orthotic device, flew to the United States from China to join other international students for a summer disability exchange program.
Overcoming Challenges While in the United States: Reina is a Mobility International USA Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability Alumna and the American English Institute scholarship recipient from Latin America.
My True Success Story: Armine Ghazaryan, a student from Armenia, who has a visual impairment, studied at a university in Michigan, USA, as a Global Undergraduate Exchange Program participant.
Reflections from my International Visitor Leadership Program to the U.S.: Well Zhao participated in a whirlwind tour of the United States to learn how American organizations and institutions are including people with disabilities in educational, recreational and leadership opportunities. Mr. Zhao is from China and is an amputee who uses a prosthetic.
From Student to Teacher to Advocate: Sophak Kanika Nguon, who uses crutches and an power wheelchair for mobility, honed her leadership and advocacy skills during MIUSA's 2003 Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD) program. Learn how she furthered her commitment to social justice through gaining scholarships for a Master's of Social Work degree in the online article "From Cambodia – to Seattle!"
Welcoming International Visitors to the United States: Perspectives on Disability: Marek Sikora, from Poland, came to the United States as part of the International Visitor Program. Mr. Sikora came to Eugene, Oregon and other cities to learn about the inclusion of people with disabilities in American civic and educational systems.
Relying on Colleague Connections: Mona Al-Sawwaf, a psychiatrist from Saudi Arabia with a physical disability, studied and did professional development primarily in Virginia, USA as a Humphrey Fellow.
Pursuing Your Dreams to Go to America: Yelena Semyonova fulfilled her goal and dream to go to America through the Youth for Understanding program. She studied at Iowa Lakes Community College.
Living and Studying in the United States: Sophie Cicekli, a wheelchair user from France, was accepted as an exchange student at Georgetown University. Sophie graduated from college in 2003.
Foreign Language Teaching Assistant from Russia: Andrey Tikhonov is a blind English teacher from Russia. He participated in the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant program in 2008-09 teaching Russian at Michigan State University.
The Fulbright Experience in the U.S.: Smita Worah, from India, was presented with a Fulbright Student Fellowship to study special education at Pennsylvania State University in the United States. As a woman with a physical disability who uses a wheelchair, she learned about U.S. disability laws first-hand.
International Experience to the U.S.: Count Me In!: Gerardo Nigenda, who worked with people who are blind in Mexico, participated in the Young Adult International Leadership Program in Eugene, Oregon, United States.
Future Leaders Exchange Program: A Student Shares Her Experiences in the U.S.: Ludmila Kurochkina, who has low vision, came to the United States from Russia to study English for a year.
Fulfilling Dreams through the Fulbright Program to the United States: The Story of Karla Rivas: Karla Rivas, a native of Guatemala who is blind, studied communications at the University of Chico in California with a Fulbright scholarship.
My Experiences as an International Student at the Arkansas School for the Blind: Originally from India, Anmol Bhatia studied at the Arkansas School for the Blind in the United States, where he learned how to use a cane and Braille to increase opportunities for education access and mobility.
Far from the Philippines but Close to My Heart: Marlon Celso, a student from Philippines, who is of short stature, studied at a high school in Michigan, USA, under the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program.
Broadening Professional and Interpersonal Horizons: Abbass Abbass from Israel, a lawyer and organization director, who is blind, learned about disability issues when visiting various U.S. states as an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) participant
The Spirit of Volunteerism: Musenyente Elijah, a professional from Uganda, who uses a wheelchair, learned about volunteerism and disability issues when visiting various U.S. states as an International Visitor Leadership Program participant.
Lessons Learned: Vera Aminova, a high school student from Russia who has scoliosis, studied at a high school in Ohio, USA, as a Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program participant.
Watching History Unfold: My Fulbright Experience in Washington, DC: Audrey Kobayashi, a geography professor from Canada and a wheelchair user, conducted research in Washington, DC, USA, as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar.
Reinforcing a Love of Teaching: Dixie Olguín, a language teacher from Chile, who has a physical disability, taught at the precollegiate level in New Jersey, USA, as a Fulbright Exchange Teacher.
Experiencing the American Deaf Culture: Argiroula Zangana from Greece, who is a Deaf student, studied at a college in New York, USA as a Fulbright Student.
Advising Students with Disabilities: A Perspective From Pakistan: Lubna Shah Anwar, an EducationUSA Advisor at the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, Pakistan, advised two students with visual and physical disabilities who attended colleges in the Midwest, USA
New Technologies to Meet New Challenges: Sile O’Modhrain spent a year at Stanford University as a Fulbright student, and continued on for several more years researching and developing accessible technology.
Open Mind – Open Heart:A Fulbright Fellow with a disability from Lebanon shares his experience studying in the United States: Published in Al Jamiat Magazine, 2007/2008 Edition
Towards Establishing an Audio and Braille Library in Mongolia: Uyanga Erdenebold, who is from Mongolia, was selected to receive a Fulbright fellowship and completed a Library Science program at Louisiana State University.
Australian who is Blind Attends a U.S. University: Kristy Hyland is from Melbourne, Australia, and attends the University of Florida with her service dog.
Crashing barriers: Language Study in the U.S.: MIUSA invited Teuta Halilaj to visit Eugene, Oregon, USA from her native Albania to participate in the 2006 WILD program. She was one of two delegates who was rewarded with a scholarship to study English at the University of Oregon.

More Resources for Non-US Citizens

Featured Person: Michelle Wang: During a service learning exchange in the U.S., Michelle Wang observed people with disabilities participating in a range of life activities. Michelle is a student from China who has a physical disability.
Featured Person: Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyrie: Meet Sefakor, a woman from Ghana whose proactive character helped her earn a Ford Foundation Fellowship for U.S. study. As a person with a mobility disability, Sefakor is using her fellowship to continue her advocacy work.
Site Accessibility Considerations for People with Disabilities: The need-to-know basics for ensuring any event, conference, training, or meeting space is ready for those with physical and sensory disabilities.
Advising People Coming to the USA: Information and guidance on advising to prepare for an international exchange experience in the United States.
Assistive Technology and Portable Tools for Exchange Participants with Disabilities: Find out the assistive technology, adaptive software and portable tools common in the United States.
Featured Person: David Albala: Before researching film production in the United States on a Fulbright Foreign Student Program, David started by researching wheelchair accessibility in his host environment.
Featured Person: Raufhon Salokhodjaev: Meet Rauf, who first arrived in the United States as a high school exchange student and recently returned to fulfill graduate-level study on a fellowship.
English Language Classroom and Students with Disabilities: This tipsheet is designed as a resource for ESL teachers both in America and abroad who are looking for suggestions on working with students with disabilities in their class.
Legal Update on Foreign Exchange Participants: Rights and Responsibilities Publication Update on Extraterritoriality and Placement of Foreign Students with Disabilities Summarized from September 30, 2010 Memo to Mobility International USA from Silvia Yee, Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund.
Featured Person: Akhilesh Bhambri: Meet Akhilesh, a graduate student originally from India who discusses the positive attitudes he observed in the United States, and how to effectively respond to negative ones.
Recruiting People with Disabilities for Exchanges to the U.S.: Information and guidance on concrete and achievable ways to increase outreach efforts to international youth and adults with disabilities for academic, cultural and professional programs to the United States.
An International Student Services and Disability Services Collaboration: Learn collaboration methods and maintenance ideas between University of Texas at Austin International Student Services and Disability Services offices to assist international students with disabilities achieve their educational objectives. It also addresses cross-cultural issues and dealing with obstacles. For Rich Text version go to: http://www.miusa.org/ncde/tools/bestpractices/intlstudentcollaborationsrtf.
Featured Person: Well Zhao: Meet Well Zhao, who traveled all over the United States on a disability exchange program.
Featured Person: Andrey Tikhonov: Meet Andrey and read about his year as a Russian language teaching assistant in the United States.
Featured Person: Maged Nabawy: Meet Maged, who came from Egypt to study American Sign Language in the United States.
Featured Person: Muzaffar Hussain Laghari: Meet Muzaffar who came from Pakistan to the United States on a U.S. Department of State exchange scholarship program.
Effective Advising of Potential Fulbright Applicants with Disabilities: Understanding the accommodations process and appropriate language.
Reflections from the Fulbright Commission in India: Working with a Fulbrighter with a Disability: Jane E. Schukoske, former Executive Director of U.S. Educational Foundation in India, reflects on her experiences with a Fulbright applicant with cerebral palsy.
Mental Health and International Education Bibliography: This annotated bibliography surveys recent literature on advising international exchange participants with mental health-related disabilities.
AWAY Topics - International Student Issue: The first issue of the new NCDE AWAY (A World Awaits You) Topics, focusing on issues related to recruiting, accommodating and successfully advising international students with disabilities. March, 2010
A World Awaits You - U.S. Department of State Exchanges Special Edition: A Journal of Success in International Exchange for People with Disabilities, Copyright Mobility International USA, October 2009
AWAY Topics - English Language Learners with Disabilities Issue: The fourth issue of the NCDE AWAY Topics focuses on English language learning and teaching for students with disabilities - what works, tips on inclusion in the classroom and much more.
AWAY Topics - International Disability Organizations Issue: The fifth issue of the NCDE AWAY Topics encourages international disability organizations around the world to share information on U.S. exchange opportunities with their members.
International Students with Disabilities Accessing Community Resources: A guide to finding off-campus disability-related resources in the U.S. for everything from support groups to equipment repair.
Disability Tipsheets: Answers to common disability questions when planning for an international exchange experience - from necessary electrical conversions to air travel advice to disability specific overseas strategies.
Inclusive Community College Planning for a Blind International Student: How Santa Ana College and CCID teamed up to provide services and support to a blind student from Egypt
Blind or Low Vision Visitors to the United States: What You Need to Know: Information and resources for international visitors to the United States who are blind or have low vision. Specific tips for navigating professional, community or academic environments.
Links to International Exchange, Travel and Disability Resources: Various international exchange resources that provide disability, accessibility or general exchange travel information.
Links to Online Directories of Disability Organizations Worldwide: Learn about worldwide associations for people with specific disabilities and links to national level disability organizations in various countries.
Presentation: Interpreting and Speech-to-Text Services in English Courses for International Students: A presentation on international students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing on U.S. campuses and eager to learn American Sign Language (ASL) or improve their English skills.
Accommodations for High School Students with Disabilities Interested in Studying in the United States: Strategies to maximize the success of educational exchanges for foreign exchange students with disabilities in U.S. high schools.
A U.S. Community Rallies Support for a High School Exchange Student: How an AYUSA community representative navigated the educational differences between the U.S. and Lebanon when hosting a Lebanese blind exchange student and how existing U.S. resources bridged the differences.
English Language Learning in the United States: There is no better way to learn English than to learn from and live among native speakers. Learn how in this guide for students with disabilities studying English in America.
Volunteer in the United States: Read on to learn about the many ways you can make a difference in the U.S.
Study Abroad in the United States: Information and links to help people with disabilities from all over the world participate in a study program at a U.S. college or university.
Meeting the Teachers Halfway
Crossing Cultures – Disabilities Represented by International Students
International Students with Disabilities on Community College Campuses
Alina Ivanova Video Interview: Alina talks about why she feels an international exchange experience is important, what her parents thought about it and how she talked to them, initial impressions of the U.S. and advice for other people with disabilities who would like to participate in international exchange.
Ingrid Ioan - video: Ingrid talks about her experience as an international student from Romania with a disability coming to study in the U.S.
Fellowships for Non-U.S. Citizens: A list of fellowship opportunities for people with disabilities interested in studying or working in the United States.
U.S. Department of State Exchanges for International Citizens: A listing of exchange and funding opportunities by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for Non-U.S. Citizens
Hosting Foreign Students with Disabilities
Home Away from Home
A World Awaits You - Youth Professionals, Teachers and Parents Issue: A Journal of Success in International Exchange for People with Disabilities. Mobility International USA, Copyright © October 2006
Frequently Asked Funding Questions: With hard work and creative thinking, most international exchange experiences can be affordable.
Finding a Host for a High School Foreign Exchange Student who is Blind: Learn how a Texas school district worked with a ERDT/SHARE student with a visual impairment from Russia to make her FLEX exchange experience a success.
Assessing the Disability-Related Needs of Exchange Participants: Not sure what specific disability information factors into preparing for the exchange destination? Use these easy to follow forms to help in planning ahead for program accommodations.
Universal Design/Accessibility Standards Resources: Information on universal design and accessibility standards for buildings, transportation, electronic and information technology, the media and more.
English Proficiency Test Arrangements for People with Disabilities: Want to attend a school in the United States? Get the Who, What and Where on arranging disability-related accommodations for the TOEFL, TSE and other tests of English.
Are Foreign Exchange Students with Disabilities Covered by U.S. Laws?: Understanding entitlement and protection services under U.S. special education law for exchange students with disabilities studying in the United States. Also read 2010 update on foreign exchange students at: http://www.miusa.org/publications/books/rr.
Financial Resources for Non-U.S. Residents: A list of information for people with disabilities from outside the United States to find scholarships, grants, loans and other funding sources to participate in an international exchange program to the United States.
American English Institute, United States of America: A site visit to learn about accessibility provided at this English language school. By Slobodan Subasic
15 Ways to Raise Funds for Your Exchange Program: Ideas that really work - learn from other exchange participants how to fundraise for study or volunteering abroad
Providing Information in Alternative Formats: Details on who needs large print, electronic text, audio cassette or Braille and how to create these alternative formats. Also resources and tips on making websites compliant with accessibility laws.
Homestays: Finding Host Families for Participants with Disabilities: Strategies for finding and approaching homestay families and a checklist to assess all host family houses for accessibility.
Insurance Considerations for Exchange Participants with Disabilities: Learn questions to investigate and what to consider as it relates to travel and health insurance, disability issues and people with pre-existing conditions.
Mental Health-Related Disabilities: Tips for Exchange Programs in Making Accommodations: Suggestions on confidential health history forms, disability-related accommodations and other advice on planning ahead and supporting international exchange participants with mental health related disabilities.
Mobility Disabilities and International Exchange: Tips and strategies for providing accommodations to individuals with mobility disabilities and planning ahead for inclusive programs.