University of North Texas 
Study Abroad Disability Accommodations
Congratulations on the decision to Study Abroad!
Congratulations on your decision to explore study abroad opportunities.
The Office of Disability Access (ODA) is here to support students with disabilities as they prepare for international experiences. Because accessibility, disability laws, and available accommodations can vary by country and program, it is important to begin planning early.
Please review the information below. If you have questions, contact ODA at disability@unt.edu or 940-565-4323.
Receiving Accommodations Abroad:
Step 1: Meet with Study Abroad Advisor! As soon as you know you want to Study Abroad, meet with your Study Abroad advisor. This conversation will look similar to any other student on campus who wishes to study abroad. You will learn all about the processes for studying abroad, financial requirements, enrollment timelines, etc. During this conversation, the Office of Disability Access strongly encourages you to also disclose that you have a disability that will need accommodations. You certainly don't have to at this time, but if you're comfortable with disclosing, it can lead to access conversations from the very beginning. We have found our students studying abroad have had much easier experiences when these conversations are started early. However, if you don't feel comfortable disclosing at this time, that's ok!
Step 2: Contact your ODA Access Coordinator. The next step is to contact your ODA Access Coordinator. You will share the Study Abroad opportunity that you are pursuing or have already signed up for. (Again, it is best to contact us before committing to a Study Abroad opportunity as different locations around the world may not be as accessible.) Your Access Coordinator will then guide you in a conversation to discuss what accommodations you may need abroad. Once you two have established a plan for accommodations, your Access Coordinator will inform you if you need to officially request any additional accommodations through our office and what that process looks like. Once this is solidified, your Access Coordinator will reach out to the Study Abroad office and the Faculty Advisor for the trip. They will provide information about what accommodations you will need abroad. At this step, it's preferable to setup a meeting between all involved, especially you, to talk about what this will look like. This notification to the Faculty Advisor and the Study Abroad office is NOT the official letter of accommodation. It's just a "heads up."
Step 3: ODA, Study Abroad, and Study Abroad partners will work together to plan for the trip! As soon as you're enrolled in the class officially, you should request your letter of accommodation.
Step 4: If you've requested your letter of accommodation, the ODA will send it a week before the class begins, as per procedure and University policy.
Step 5: You should reach out to your Faculty to confirm everything is all set and to discuss any other questions that have come up. If at any time you're abroad and have access concerns, you're more than welcome to contact ODA by email or phone. However, it is often quickest, especially due to time differences, if you let your faculty know of any concerns. However, you're never required to disclose your disability or medical condition.
FAQs:
Can I study abroad with a disability?
Yes! Participating in an international experience through the University of North Texas offers an invaluable opportunity to pursue new academic and personal goals, broaden your global perspective, and cultivate intercultural competence. Engaging in such an experience while managing a disability can serve as a profound source of personal growth, challenge, and self-reflection within an unfamiliar cultural setting. Although you may already have experience navigating disability-related considerations on campus, you will likely encounter different norms, resources, and approaches to accessibility in your host country. As you prepare for your study abroad journey, it is essential to carefully assess whether your chosen destination can appropriately accommodate your specific needs and support your overall success abroad.
What should I consider beforehand?
It is important to recognize that standards of accessibility and societal perceptions of individuals with disabilities vary widely across the world. Some countries may offer extensive accommodations and inclusive practices, while others may have more limited resources or differing frameworks. In the United States, legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures specific accessibility requirements; however, your host country may operate under different legal standards or cultural attitudes toward disability. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you communicate with the UNT Study Abroad office and your ODA Access Coordinator well in advance, as arranging necessary accommodations abroad may require additional time.
If I cannot request my letters of accommodation be sent to faculty until closer to
the semester starting, how can I start this process early?
As soon as you know you want to study abroad, meet with a Study Abroad advisor to
start exploring this exciting opportunity! During this discussion, we encourage you
to advise them that you have a disability and that you will need accommodations. This
will allow Study Abroad to be aware of this. Next, it is really important to contact
your ODA Access Coordinator. Even though we cannot send the official letter of accommodation
until we get closer to the semester, we can always contact your faculty advisor for
the trip and Study Abroad to discuss your accommodations for the trip. We can also
setup a meeting and join you in discussing this with your faculty, if you'd like.
Communicating with Faculty
Every semester, students are expected to communicate with their professors regarding their letters of accommodation (LOA). This expectation applies to students studying abroad as well. After the student has requested their LOAs, the Office of Disability Access (ODA) will email the letters to your instructors; and you will receive a copy of each email. Once you receive your copy of each accommodation email, plan to meet with your instructors as soon as possible either via in-person, zoom, or communicating through email. During these meetings, you can talk about how your accommodations will work in their class—like testing arrangements, note-taking support, or any other adjustments you may need. Meeting early helps make sure everything is clear and set up before you need it, so your semester runs smoothly, and you feel supported from the start.
If you need assistance at any point with communicating with your professors, please email your Access Coordinator or the ODA office at disability@unt.edu or call 940-565-4323.
Additional Resource for Faculty Communication
Template Emails to Send Instructors