First we recommend searching to see if a disability site assessment has  already been completed and is comprehensive. Search these webpages to find out:

• European Agency for Development in Special Needs Education
• Independent Living Institute
• European Access Network
• National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange

If not, then consider using the following survey. This survey is best done by someone with cross-disability knowledge.

Willing to share with others your accessibility feedback from an overseas university site visit you did? The National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange will consider posting it online. Mail to National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange / Mobility International USA along with the following signed agreement. Small stipends may be available to students who are completing these surveys.

 NCDE Site Visit Initiative

                      
                            
Site Visit Agreement

I agree to write a complete article for or to dictate information pertaining to the following guidelines to the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) staff for the purposes of editing and reproduction.  I understand that my findings will then be posted on the MIUSA website and/or MIUSA publications.  I also understand that any photographs submitted by me to MIUSA may be utilized for MIUSA publications and the MIUSA website and I have obtained appropriate releases from the individuals in the photographs. I will be surveying _____________ University in the following country: _________________.

Name:
Date:
Project Description:

Signature:____________________________    Date:_______________________

Site Visit Initiative

Please survey and report on the information below bearing in mind that this information will be utilized by people with a variety of disabilities both apparent and non-apparent including: learning, psychiatric, physical, visual, health-related and hearing disabilities.

1) Submit the complete contact information for the campus surveyed.  All contact information should include:
A. Name
B. Address
C. Telephone/TTY
D. Fax
E. E-mail
F. Website

2) Interview 2-3 students with disabilities (preferably different disabilities) on campus. Include the following (Use quotes as appropriate):
A. A short biographical description of the student
B. Positive aspects of the student’s experience at the university
C. Any difficult issues that have arisen and how they were addressed
D. Recommendations they have for other student with disabilities attending the school

3) Interview the Disabled Student Services staff about their services. Include:
A. Contact information
B. Description of services available for students
C. Recommendations they have for students with disabilities from overseas that are attending the school

4) Interview the International Student Services staff about their services. Include:
A. Contact information
B. Description of services for students from overseas
C. Description of services for students with disabilities
D. Recommendations they have for foreign students with disabilities attending the school

5) Describe the physical and informational accessibility of the campus and community.  Specifics can be found on Access Abroad surveys and would include such information as disability related offices in the area, self-help groups, cultural attitudes towards people with disabilities, health care facilities, pharmacies, counseling services, accessibility of classrooms, bathrooms, etc. to those with physical disabilities, accessible transportation, and school assistance such as tape recorders, extra time on tests, technological devices and/or rest periods.

6) Describe housing opportunities on and off campus for people with disabilities.

7) Describe the social accessibility of the community such as restaurants, cultural sites, field trip destinations, sports and extra-curricular activities.

8) Describe cultural attitudes and perspectives towards people with physical, psychiatric, and non-apparent disabilities that would assist a student with a disability to understand what the experience might be like while in the country.

9) If possible, take photographs of some of the accessibility features and the people that you interview and include a written description for each of them.