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Path by Sealy McMurrey
Disabilities and Neurodiversity

“Admittedly, I did not know if it would be possible to go abroad as someone with a disability at first, but I advocated for myself and asked questions despite the beliefs of others thinking that I could not go abroad I participated in excursions that I never thought of doing before and saw the power of language and culture
” — Juanita Lillie, ISA Costa Rica

CU Boulder encourages all students to consider participating in study abroad, including those with physical, mental, emotional, or learning disabilities. Regardless of your needs, study abroad is possible with the right preparation and resources.

Disability Services is especially dedicated to providing students with equal opportunities to participate in university programs, courses, and activities through reasonable accommodations. We encourage you to reach out to the Disability Services Office as your first point of contact when considering study abroad. They are a team committed to ensuring all students have access to enriching international experiences, and will work with you to identify and implement the necessary accommodations to make your individual study abroad experience as accessible as possible.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit the Disability Services website or contact our office directly. Your journey starts with the support you need to succeed!

Preparing for your time abroad:

  • Communicate with your education abroad program manager and (if you are registered with disability services) your coordinator, about the country/program you plan/wish to go to, your specific needs, and how you can all work together to make this process as smooth as possible. Disclose your needs early (preferably right after acceptance to a program) so appropriate arrangements can be made in advance. We can all meet together if you'd like.
  • Other countries may provide access in a different way -- learn about what types of accommodations are typically provided in your host country, and be flexible and open to different ways of accommodating.
  • Research the cultural aspects regarding individuals with disabilities in the country(ies) you are planning or considering traveling to.
  • Prepare ahead of time: Read, communicate with other students, and attend the required pre-departure orientation sessions. The more you know, the better prepared you will be for the interaction between your disability and the new environment.
  • Prepare to get enough medications you may be taking well ahead of time and have enough for the entirety of your time abroad. 
  • Think about how you will answer questions about your disability in the language of your host country -- learn key vocabulary words ahead of time.
  • Continue learning while you are abroad by talking with your new friends, host family, conversation partner, teacher, etc.

Useful Resources to Begin Your Exploration

Scholarships & Fellowships

  • The Amandla Project Fellowship program: (Amandla means ‘empowerment’ in the tribal languages of both Zulu and Xhosa) The Amandla Project is a fully funded leadership development and experiential program beginning with a virtual phase and concluding with eight weeks of programming in South Africa. It aims to increase the representation of disabled students in the pursuit of educational opportunities abroad. Through internships, leadership development experiences and a reflection-based curriculum, Amandla Fellows will return from South Africa as empowered leaders, ready to impact their local communities.Watch The Amandla Project? Video Here
  • IES Abroad Disability Grant Application - IES Abroad offers grants to students whose disabilities may add significant costs to their study abroad experience. This grant is open to students participating in an IES program only. Application deadlines: Summer- April 1st, Fall- May 1st, & Spring- November 1st (these are subject to change, see IES website to verify deadlines).


Student Stories and Advice

 

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge Diversity Abroad and MIUSA, whose materials we refer to on this site.

Photo, South Africa by Sealy McMurrey
Last Updated April 2025