Harvard College students who utilize the resources offered by the Disability Access Office (DAO) regularly participate in academic year, semester, and summer study abroad programs around the world. The key to having a successful and rewarding study abroad experience is early planning and identifying a program or university that is best suited for your academic and personal goals and interests as well as determining which types of accommodations are available and accessible to you in your host country.  

If you are registered with the DAO, we encourage you to schedule a meeting with your Accessibility Advisor to discuss your interest in studying abroad and any specific accessibility needs you may have. If you do not receive accommodations at Harvard but think you might need to while abroad, DAO is available to consult with you to talk through any accessibility-related considerations. 

In addition to consulting with the DAO, we encourage you to share your disability or need for accommodations with your study abroad program early so that they can implement measures to support you while abroad. It’s important to note that cultural norms around disability, laws, types of accommodations and their implementation vary by location. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are laws that pertain to accommodations and public access that are enforced only in the United States.  Many countries have similar legal protections, but the same types of accommodations that you receive at Harvard may not always be possible abroad. Programs are subject to the accessibility laws of the host country, which vary greatly. By working with the DAO, OIE, and your study abroad program early, we can work to find solutions that support your needs and foster an accessible experience abroad.