Lana Oconnell
International students with disabilities often worry about the support they will receive at their university of choice. It is important to understand what disability means in the country and what laws are in place to protect disabled students. In the UK, for example, a disabled person is defined by the Equality Act 2010 as someone with a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This includes a wide range of impairments, from dyslexia to chronic health conditions. Australian universities also offer a range of support services, including counselling and health and wellbeing support. It is important to contact the university's disability services office as early as possible to discuss support needs and explore funding options. While colleges are not allowed to request information about a student's disability before admitting them, students must register with the disability services office to receive accommodations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of disability | Under the Equality Act 2010, a disabled person is defined as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term, and adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. |
| Registration and application | Students must register with the disability services office and provide medical evidence of their condition. The process typically involves completing a registration or application form, and students may have to log in to the school's system or print the form. |
| Timing | Students should contact disability services as early as possible, ideally before arrival, to discuss their support needs and identify any necessary adjustments. |
| Accommodations | Accommodations may include exam and assessment adjustments, teaching and learning adjustments, on-campus adjustments, access to 1:1 study skills support and mentoring, and information on assistive technology. |
| Funding | Universities may not provide or fund support with daily living tasks, and international students are not eligible for UK government welfare benefits. However, universities may work with students to arrange support and provide information on agencies that provide care assistants. |
| Confidentiality | Students get a contact person at disability services for support and to communicate their needs to professors. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students with disabilities may not be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
- International students must submit medical evidence of their condition
- Students get a contact person at disability services to explain their accommodations to professors
- Students must register with the disability services office to get accommodations
- International students may need to pay for non-academic, disability-related support
International students with disabilities may not be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
International students with disabilities may not be eligible for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). The DSA is a UK government scheme that provides financial support to students with disabilities to cover the extra costs they may incur while studying. The allowance is means-tested and is available to students who are ordinarily resident in the UK and studying on eligible higher education courses.
According to the University of Dundee's website, disabled international students are not eligible for the DSA. However, the university is committed to ensuring equality of access for all students and encourages disabled students to contact their Disability Services to discuss their support needs and explore alternative funding options. Similarly, the University of Liverpool advises international students with disabilities to contact their Disability Advice and Guidance team before entering the UK to discuss their support needs and possible support options.
It is important to note that there is no universal definition of disability, and the definition may vary across countries. In the UK, under the Equality Act 2010, a disabled person is defined as someone with a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial, long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This definition includes a wide range of impairments, such as dyslexia, mental health difficulties, visual or hearing impairments, and chronic health conditions.
While international students with disabilities may not be eligible for the DSA, universities in the UK have a legal duty under the Equality Act to support students who need extra services and support. Students can access a range of support to help them with their studies, day-to-day activities, travel, and lifestyle. However, it is important for students to contact the university as early as possible to ensure that any necessary adjustments and support are in place before they arrive.
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International students must submit medical evidence of their condition
International students with disabilities are encouraged to contact their university's disability services as early as possible, ideally before arrival, to discuss their support needs and identify any additional support they may require. This ensures that any necessary adjustments and support are in place before the student commences their studies.
When contacting disability services, international students must submit medical evidence of their condition. This evidence should be written in English or accompanied by a certified translation if the original document is in another language. The translation cost must be covered by the student.
The type and extent of support provided by the university will depend on the student's individual needs and will be discussed with them before their arrival. For instance, the University of Dundee in the UK specifies that it does not provide or fund support with daily living tasks such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, or personal care. However, they may be able to provide information on agencies that offer care assistance.
It is important to note that disabled students who are not ordinarily resident in the UK, such as international students, are not eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). Nonetheless, universities like the University of Dundee are committed to ensuring equality of access for all students and will work with students to arrange support as much as possible.
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Students get a contact person at disability services to explain their accommodations to professors
Students with disabilities can access a range of support to help them succeed with their studies, day-to-day activities, travel, and lifestyle. It is important to contact Disability Services as early as possible, ideally before arrival, to discuss support needs and identify any additional support that may be required.
Students get a dedicated contact person at disability services for as long as they are seeking accommodations. This person will work with the student to determine "reasonable" accommodations, which may be academic (e.g., the use of a note-taker for lectures) or non-academic (e.g., a single dorm room). The contact person will then write an accommodation letter addressed to the faculty outlining the student's approved accommodations.
The process for informing professors about a student's accommodations varies. In some cases, the disability services officer will email the professors. However, it is more common for students to give the letter to their professors and explain their accommodation needs. Students can also send their professors a brief introductory email before the start of the semester or after registering for classes, informing them that they have a file with Disability Services and providing a summary of their needs.
It is important to note that the student's disability or diagnosis is not listed on the contact sheet, so students do not have to disclose their exact disability if they are uncomfortable. All colleges that receive federal funds must ensure equal access to students with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations.
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Students must register with the disability services office to get accommodations
Students with disabilities must register with the disability services office to get accommodations. This is because colleges are required to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled students. However, they are not required to provide the same disability services that students received in high school.
Students with disabilities should inform their colleges and universities about their conditions to receive reasonable accommodations or modifications to make the educational environment accessible. While colleges are mandated to provide basic disability access, students must request these accommodations to receive them. Students must also provide evidence of their disability, such as a recent evaluation report or medical documentation, to be approved for accommodations.
The process of registering for accommodations typically involves completing a registration or application form. Students may be required to log into the school's system with their student ID or print the form. A one-on-one intake meeting may then be scheduled for students to discuss their specific needs for accommodations and support services.
It is important to note that students with disabilities have rights to accommodations under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US and the Equality Act 2010 in the UK. These laws prohibit discrimination against disabled individuals and ensure equal access to public services, including higher education.
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International students may need to pay for non-academic, disability-related support
International students with disabilities are entitled to the same protections as domestic students under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). However, the support available to international students with disabilities varies across institutions. While some universities have clear protocols in place, others provide support on an as-needs basis.
International students with disabilities may need to pay for non-academic, disability-related support, such as assistance with shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, or personal care. For example, at the University of Dundee, international students are expected to meet the costs of care assistants themselves, as UK government welfare benefits are not available to them. Similarly, the University of Leeds specifies that their Disability Services do not provide support with daily living tasks.
It is important for international students to carefully consider their non-academic, disability-related support needs before enrolling at a university. Students should also be aware that they may need to provide relevant supporting evidence of their disability, written in English, or pay for a certified translation.
To access support, international students with disabilities are generally encouraged to contact the university's Disability Services or a similar department as early as possible, ideally before arrival. Some universities, like the University of Leeds, require registration with Disability Services to receive support. Students without a sponsor may be able to receive extra funding for specialist equipment or one-on-one help.
In addition to disability-related support, international students may also require support with English language proficiency. For example, Australian universities require proficiency in academic English, and institutions are unlikely to support the translation of content into languages other than English or Auslan. Similarly, the University of Dundee offers English language courses and academic writing support for students who are not native English speakers.
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Frequently asked questions
It is important to contact the university's disability services as early as possible, ideally before arrival, to discuss your support needs and options. You will need to provide medical evidence of your condition, which must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
The support provided will depend on your individual needs and requirements. Support may include exam and assessment adjustments, teaching and learning adjustments, and on-campus adjustments such as ergonomic seating or access to a locker. However, it is important to note that universities do not provide or fund support with daily living tasks such as personal care.
Most colleges and universities have a disability services office or adviser, and you will need to register with them to receive accommodations. The registration process typically involves completing a form, either online or in print. You may also be able to seek advice from your university's international advice service or academic skills centre.
