Preparation

Work with your exchange organization contact person to discuss program details including housing, the flight to the host country, local transportation in the host country, accommodations, host country contacts, the program schedule, expectations before departure, immunizations required, and program fees and application, visa and passport due dates. Be clear about what you require and what you desire, and be willing to be flexible in accommodations related to your disability. 

Checklist for Traveling

The following checklist may assist you in preparations for your travel:

• Find out about your rights as an airline traveler with a disability. Contact the airline about their procedures for travelers with disabilities and know the information you will need to provide them at least one month prior to your flight and prepare to be assertive about your needs and rights. Talk to peers with similar disabilities for air travel tips. Read our Air Travel Tips for People with Disabilities.
• Know how to prepare your adaptive equipment or guide animals for the flight
• Break up your flights in segments if you cannot physically tolerate several hours on a plane
• Be ready for security screening at the airport including pat-downs & understand your privacy rights
• Research your own health insurance and the program's health insurance – Will it meet your needs?
• Prepare emotionally, know that things may be difficult at times, but be ready to problem solve and to keep a positive attitude.
• Plan if you think you will need a personal assistant, sign interpreter, a notetaker or other similar support person (or a service dog) while participating in the program. This decision will require honest discussions with the program agency and/or country contact. You need to decide if the person needs to travel with you from home or if you can hire someone in the host country. And you may need to consider how to fund-raise if the program can't cover all the costs.
• Carefully plan your luggage and have a plan for how you will manage it if you need assistance or if the luggage or your adaptive equipment is lost or broken.
• Have your prescriptions properly labeled and information about the prescription and disability condition written in the language of the country of destination for customs officials. See our tipsheet on Medications: Tips for Traveling Internationally.