Tip Sheets

Free to download or read online. Also available in print and alternative formats.

Accessibility Survey of Overseas Universities — by admin — last modified November 14, 2008 12:06

Do you want to know if your overseas sites are accessible?

Accessing Foreign Language Materials as a Blind or Low Vision Student — by Michele Scheib — last modified December 01, 2008 15:04

An Informational Guide on Arranging for Assistive Technology, Accessible Formats and Services in the Foreign Language Course* Published September 2008

Alcoholism and Alcohol-Related Disabilities: Considerations Related to International Exchange Programs — by admin — last modified August 27, 2007 12:12

Information on the ADA and alcoholism, the role of alcohol in other cultures, and accommodating exchange participants who are recovering alcoholics. Also included are resources for finding overseas recovery groups, international drinking laws, and national alcohol information organizations.

Air Travel Tips for People with Disabilities — by Jeff McBride — last modified December 01, 2008 15:04

Adapted from Mobility International USA’s Building Bridges: A Manual on Including People with Disabilities in International Exchange

Are Foreign Exchange Students with Disabilities Covered by U.S. Laws? — by admin — last modified November 06, 2008 13:00

Understanding entitlement and protection services under U.S. special education law for exchange students with disabilities studying in the United States.

Autism / Asperger’s Syndrome and International Exchange: What, Why & How — by admin — last modified November 10, 2008 14:45

Learn the benefits of going abroad for people with Asperger's Syndrome and autism and the steps and questions to ask when planning an inclusive group exchange.

Avoiding Pressure Sores: How to Manage Your Health Abroad — by admin — last modified March 22, 2007 10:50

Don't let a pressure sore end your time abroad. Learn steps to prevent pressure sores from happening while on an international exchange program, and how to recognize and treat a sore overseas if it does develop.

Best Inclusive and Collaborative Practices by Professionals in International Exchange — by Michele Scheib — last modified December 01, 2008 14:53

Learn how a few individuals took the lead at their organizations, institutions or in their communities so more people with disabilities had access to mainstream international exchange and education abroad programs. Includes the Campus Collaboration Campaign booklet.

Budgeting for Inclusion — by admin — last modified September 16, 2008 09:54

Many organizations are concerned about the cost of making programs accessible to people with disabilities, so incorporating a "disability accommodation" line item into every project and administrative budget is the most reliable way to ensure that resources are at hand.

Community College Exchanges — by Michele Scheib — last modified September 25, 2008 11:32

Resources for students with disabilities from the United States and abroad on community college international study opportunities and advice.

Diabetes Resources — by admin — last modified January 08, 2008 13:24

Recommendations for books, websites and articles about travel in other countries for people with diabetes.

Disability Culture, Rights and Recruiting People with Disabilities for International Exchange — by Jeff McBride — last modified January 04, 2008 15:05

Do you have questions about cultural differences related to disabilities and how they may impact requesting and receiving accommodations? This tipsheet addresses how exchange providers and people with disabilities can prepare for these differences to help ensure a successful international experiences.

Disability Disclosure and Study Abroad: Understanding the Issues — by Olivia Emilia — last modified July 16, 2007 10:51

A guide for education abroad professionals on practical issues of student disability disclosure.

Disability Networking Across Borders: Creating Short-Term International Exchange Programs — by admin — last modified November 25, 2008 13:42

How to fund a program, identify partner organizations and other tips and resources including templates and tools.

Disability-Related Phrases and Vocabulary to Learn Before You Go Abroad — by Melissa — last modified December 01, 2008 15:17

This tip sheet includes many phrases and more than 60 vocabulary words vital to clearly communicate disability related needs and concerns while abroad. Having a few phrases and some vocabulary prepared before you go will avoid misunderstandings and will assist you to be as independent and successful as possible.

Encouraging and Recruiting People with Disabilities of Racial and Ethnic Minority Backgrounds to Go Abroad — by Melissa — last modified October 16, 2008 17:48

Resource lists of international exchange organizations' diversity projects and U.S. disability and higher education organizations focused on those from ethnic or racial minority backgrounds.

Equipment and Tools that Make Traveling with a Disability Easy — by admin — last modified August 23, 2007 14:12

Experienced travelers with physical disabilities know there are a lot of tools and portable adaptive equipment that can make international travel easier.

Foreign Languages and Students with Learning, Hearing or Vision Disabilities — by admin — last modified November 10, 2008 19:23

Learn strategies for optimizing world language and English language learning and links to indepth research articles related to learning disabilities, blindness and deafness.

Forms to Assess the Disability-Related Needs of Exchange Participants — by admin — last modified November 06, 2008 12:52

Not sure what specific questions to ask an exchange participant with a disability to determine his/her individual needs? Use these easy to follow forms to to help in planning ahead for program accommodations.

Guide Dogs and Service Animals — by Melissa Mitchell, Outreach and Training Coordinator — last modified November 10, 2008 13:11

Traveling internationally with a Guide Dog, Service Dog, or Service Animal? Consider these tips, suggestions, and practical advice from experienced travelers. Ask NCDE for information about specific countries.

Guide to Electrical Adapters, Converters and Transformers for International Travel with Power Wheelchairs and Other Electrical Devices — by Jeff McBride — last modified February 19, 2008 16:51

Tips for international travelers using power wheelchair battery chargers and other electrical devices.

Health and Travel Insurance Considerations — by admin — last modified October 31, 2008 16:57

Does your participant insurance policy include "treatment for unforeseen change in a condition"? Learn questions to investigate and examples of how some programs budget for the costs of broad coverage.

Helpful (and Low-Cost!) Tips for Accommodating Participants with Disabilities — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:18

Learn about the many accommodations that are cost-free or inexpensive

Homestays: Finding Hosts for Participants with Disabilities — by admin — last modified October 27, 2008 17:53

Strategies for finding and approaching homestay families and a checklist to assess all host family houses for accessibility.

Learning Disability and ADD/ADHD Questions — by admin — last modified August 23, 2007 13:03

Questions for students with learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD to consider when planning for study abroad

Lessons to Learn From NCDE’s Survey of Frontline Staff — by admin — last modified August 23, 2007 12:55

What happens when people with disabilities contact an international exchange or disability organization in search of information on how to pursue their interests in studying, interning or volunteering overseas?

Medications: Tips for Traveling Internationally — by admin — last modified August 04, 2008 15:25

Questions to consider for people who use daily medications

Mobility Disabilities:Tips for Inclusion in International Exchange — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:06

Tips and strategies for mobility disability accommodations and how to plan in advance.

Personal Assistants on International Exchange Programs — by Melissa — last modified November 10, 2008 12:25

This tip sheet explains the ins and outs of going abroad with a personal assistant. Plan ahead for many types of assistant services that maybe used during an international exchange program, including note-takers or a mobility guide who assists a person who is blind, or someone who provides intimate care services for a person with a mobility disability.

Psychiatric Disabilities: Considerations for Exchange Participants with Mental Health Conditions — by admin — last modified August 23, 2007 14:52

In this document, the term psychiatric disability refers to a broad range of mental health conditions such as depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorder, borderline personality disorder, seasonal affective disorder, etc.

Providing Information in Alternative Formats — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:31

Details on who needs print materials in 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.

Psychiatric Disabilities: Tips for Exchange Programs in Making Accommodations — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 14:56

Options for arranging accommodations for people with psychiatric disabilities.

Recruiting People with Disabilities to Increase Diversity in Your International Exchange Programs — by Jeff McBride, NCDE Project Coordinator — last modified November 13, 2007 16:28

Adapted from ‘Building Bridges: A Manual on Including People with Disabilities in International Exchange Programs’ © 2006 Mobility International USA and the National Clearinghouse on Disability & Exchange

Respectful Disability Language — by admin — last modified March 22, 2007 10:50

A guide for using appropriate disability language and terminology

Self Assessment: Are Your International Exchange Programs Inclusive? — by admin — last modified November 08, 2006 12:57

Informal tools to help exchange providers assess their current ability level to include participants with disabilities.

Sign Language Interpreters: Tips for Finding, Funding, and Contracting Services for International Exchanges — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:00

Suggestions for finding, funding, and contracting sign language interpreters for Deaf and hard of hearing exchange participants

Social Security or Vocational Rehabilitation: Using these Funds for Exchange — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:37

Social Security Administration (SSA) and MIUSA have joined together to ensure that people with disabilities and the professionals who work with people with disabilities understand the importance of international exchange and options for including it as part of employment preparation.

Sports Related & Outdoor Adventure International Exchanges — by admin — last modified November 12, 2008 15:27

A brief look at sports related and outdoor adventure exchanges.

TOEFL Testing Arrangements for People with Disabilities — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:09

Want to attend a university in the United States? Get the Who, What and Where on Testing of English as a Foreign Language disability-related accommodations.

Top 18 Tips for International Travelers with Disabilities — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:28

Travelers with disabilities have questions, concerns and situations that may never occur to the average traveler without a disability. Read tips from MIUSA's book, "Survival Strategies for Going Abroad: A Guide for People with Disabilities" to jumpstart the experience.

Traveling Internationally with Oxygen — by admin — last modified March 22, 2007 10:50

Tips and suggestions for traveling with oxygen

Traveling Internationally with a Ventilator — by admin — last modified March 22, 2007 10:50

More people with disabilities who travel with a ventilator are discovering the joys of travel and international experiences. These tips and resources are designed to help with advance planning and success.

Universal Design/Accessibility Standards Resources — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:20

Information on international accessibility standards for buildings, electronics and media

Website Accessibility Resources — by admin — last modified September 19, 2008 10:45

Various tools used to validate the accessibility of websites for use by people with disabilities.

Youth with Disabilities: Building their Awareness of International Exchanges — by admin — last modified December 01, 2008 15:27

Parents, educators and people who work with youth are in the most direct positions to give youth with disabilities the information and encouragement that they need to pursue international opportunities. Learn more about how to outreach to young people with disabilities by collaborating with international exchange staff.