International Students with Disabilities: What You Need to Know Before Coming to the U.S.

Your Rights

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

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 U.S. Department of Education.

Read more in the free book Rights and Responsibilities: A Guide to National and International Disability-Related Laws for International Exchange Organizations and Participants, which is free to download.

Talking About Your Disability

After you are accepted to a program or school, you can choose to tell your program 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. Some schools or programs may make exceptions to admission requirements if you can show that you should receive an exception due to a learning, or other, disability. Contact the program admissions office to find out if they have such a policy.

Getting What You Need

Universities and programs must provide access to their programs because of the ADA law. Access means that they will provide services, called “reasonable accommodations” in the U.S., to remove barriers for people with disabilities. Examples of accommodations include extra test-taking time, ramps, accessible classrooms, sign language interpreters, note takers, or Braille documents.

If you are attending university or secondary school in the U.S., almost all of these institutions have a disability services office or person that can help you. 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.

For equipment or services that are not provided by your program, school, or organization, find contacts in your local community who can talk to you about local and state disability groups. The person you are speaking with about getting accommodations on your exchange program may be able to help you find these contacts. 

If you are bringing your own equipment and/or medication, make sure you know how to replace or repair equipment and how to refill your medication prescriptions.  Read Medications: Tips for Traveling Internationally for more information on this topic.  

Living in the United States

The ADA defines a person with a disability as:

1. someone with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
2. someone with a record of such impairment, or 
3. 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 learning disabilities or mental health conditions are not widely recognized as disabilities. Also, differences in cultural ideas of disability may affect the ways that you will receive the accommodations you need.  In some cultures friends and family may provide any accommodations, and in others 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 and to follow the rule of law in requesting and receiving accommodations.  U.S. disability culture also emphasizes individual rights and responsibility, which means that if you need something you should tell people and be a self-advocate.  This means asking for the support of other people when you need it, and making your own decisions about your life.

Sometimes you may feel very far away from the people who usually provide you with support when on your own in the U.S.  Use this as an opportunity!  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?

Study Abroad

Further your education on an American campus.

Fellowships

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

Volunteer

Make a difference in the U.S.

How to Prepare 

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

Visa Requirements

Whether you need a visa to volunteer your time in the United States depends on why you are coming to the U.S., how long you plan to stay, your nationality, and other factors. Contact the U.S. Embassy in your country to find out the specific requirements for a visa. When coming to the U.S. on an exchange program the staff of your program will tell you which type of visa to get, give you documents to support your visa, and support you with any questions or problems.

Citizens of certain nations may be eligible for travel to the United States without a visa.  Visa-free travel is not appropriate for those who plan to study, work, or remain more than 90 days. Such travelers need visas. "If an immigration official has reason to believe that a visa-free traveler is going to study, work, or remain longer than 90 days, or has misrepresented facts regarding his or her travel, the officer is authorized to refuse admission to the U.S." (from http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/visa_wizard.html)

Funding Your Experience

The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange does not offer direct funding, but we have a lot of resources to get you started.

There are many sources of financial assistance and scholarships on NCDE's funding page.  Because the list is so broad and requires extensive research, and because many organizations require essays, students often don’t pursue 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!  

When you begin your search for financial aid, pay particular attention to disability organizations, since they may offer scholarships exclusively for people with disabilities.  Also be sure to check out the Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship and the Fulbright Scholarship for awards designated for graduate students.

Health and Safety

Staying healthy and safe is key to having a successful exchange experience.  Your exchange program should have an orientation on safety tips for the community you will be in, and 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 read the information very carefully and 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 U.S.

Experience of other international students and professionals

International citizens with disabilities reflect on their exchange experiences in the United States.

• Living and Studying in the United States
  A student from France explains how her interest in international affairs brought her to Washington D.C. to study at Georgetown, and comments on wheelchair accessibility, administrative tasks, and living independently.
• Fulfilling Dreams through the Fulbright Program to the United States: The Story of Karla Rivas
  Read about a Fulbright scholar from Guatemala who traveled to Chico, California.  Ms. Rivas discusses life with a host family, learning English, using services for people who are blind, and challenging stereotypes.
• Pursuing Your Dreams to Go to America
  A determined student from Russia describes going to Utah to become fitted for a prosthetic leg, and to Iowa in order to attend community college while mastering the English language.
• The Fulbright Experience in the U.S.
  A Fulbright scholar from India shares her academic experience at Pennsylvania State University and offers advice for planning ahead.  
• Overcoming Challenges While in the United States
  A woman from Latin America explains the services offered to non-native English speakers and to people who are blind at the University of Oregon.
• Ingrid Ioan video
  Meet a student from Romania who came to the University of Oregon to learn English and pursue International Studies, and hear what advice she has for international students with disabilities who want to come to the U.S.