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Disability Services

SIT Disability Services facilitates an accessible educational experience abroad for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities of all kinds—including learning, physical, mental health, short-term, or other types of disabilities—are encouraged to contact Disability Services as early as possible for information and support at [email protected] or 802.258.3523.

Please note that disability accommodations differ based on the learning environment. Therefore, students who have accommodations in place at their home institution may find that an accommodation is not necessary in the SIT Study Abroad context and others who do not have disability accommodations at their home institution may find they would benefit from an accommodation for their SIT program. Disability accommodations from your home institution do not automatically transfer to SIT. SIT students should work with SIT Disability Services for any accommodations on SIT programs.

To request disability-related accommodations, admitted students can complete the online accommodation request form in the application portal.

Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Services as early as possible for information and support.

How to request accommodations
The first step in applying for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act is for the student with a disability to contact Disability Services for an initial consultation. At that time, we will review the student’s accommodation needs; go over the steps in the accommodation process, including documentation guidelines; and explain the role of Disability Services.

The determination of reasonable accommodations is handled on a case-by-case basis and includes an interactive process between the student and Disability Services. Students who are eligible for disability accommodations will receive a written letter outlining their approved accommodation plan.

Documentation
The amount and type of documentation required will depend on the individual situation and specific accommodation requests. Documentation submitted to Disability Services should be current and provided by a qualified professional. The documentation must be written on that professional’s letterhead, personally signed by the evaluator, and include the following:

• Functional impact of the stated disability on one or more major life activities;
• Specific diagnosis of the disability;
• A comprehensive history of the disability and the use of accommodations, if applicable;
• Specific evidence of the disability, including any diagnostic tests or other evaluations performed and results, clinical observations, and/or other relevant evidence of the disability;
• Recommendations from the evaluator for accommodations, including academic adjustments or auxiliary aids.

Please include a copy of your accommodation letter from your college/university disability office, if available.

What happens next?
The determination of reasonable accommodations is handled on a case-by-case basis and includes an interactive process between the student and Disability Services. Students should be aware that in-country conditions and resources vary significantly by site, and specific program locations may have limited accessibility. However, every effort is made to work collaboratively to facilitate an accommodation. Students who are eligible for disability accommodations will receive a written letter outlining their approved accommodation plan.

Confidentiality
Documentation records are confidential and maintained by Disability Services. However, appropriate information may be shared with designated SIT/World Learning staff, in accordance with federal and SIT/World Learning confidentiality policies, for the purpose of processing accommodation requests and facilitating approved disability accommodations.

As a student with SIT Study Abroad, you are ultimately responsible for your own learning, motivation, and success. Think of your relationship with Disability Services as a partnership, one that provides support but also encourages your own self-advocacy. We recommend that you consult with Disability Services as early as possible to discuss your disability, possible accommodations, and other assistance you may need. Please feel free to contact us at any time with questions or concerns you may have.

Resources
MIUSA (Mobility International USA) is a cross-disability organization serving those with cognitive, hearing, learning, mental health, physical, systemic, vision, and other disabilities. It offers numerous resources for persons with disabilities who wish to study abroad and/or engage in international development opportunities.