Accessibility Support Policy
Accessibility and Accommodations on International Travel Programs
Students who receive accommodations for academics or housing at Fairfield University during their studies on the Connecticut campus may not find those accommodations available to them outside of the United States. Specifically, the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act do not apply to foreign institutions or countries. Though many of our partners abroad will do their best to accommodate for student’s needs, please know that there are times when accommodations cannot always be made. Students with particular housing accommodations at Fairfield should also take note that such accommodations are not guaranteed abroad.
We invite all students to self-disclose to Global Fairfield throughout the application process so that Global Fairfield may work with the student to identify the programs and services that best meet their individual needs and may provide them with comparable services while abroad. Students who wish to disclose should request a meeting with their Global Fairfield study abroad advisor to discuss their needs in detail. Global Fairfield will work closely with the student and with the overseas partners to see if accommodations can be met and to assist with next steps.
If the student requires a reasonable accommodation or has concerns about participation in any International Travel Program activities, the student agrees to provide adequate notice to Global Fairfield in advance of their commitment deadline in writing. Student also agrees to provide a complete and detailed written description, and supporting documentation as necessary, concerning the accommodation being requested. Student agrees to provide such information in writing between the time of application approval and the program commitment deadline so as to provide sufficient time for the Program Administrators to review together with the student and confirm the capacity of the Program to provide the requested accommodation(s). Although many countries are becoming more aware of the needs of people with disabilities, not all countries have similar laws and accessible infrastructure and services. Global Fairfield will make efforts to assist students with finding reasonable accommodations which cannot fundamentally alter the nature of a course or program of study or present an undue hardship for either Fairfield University or the Host Institution. If the student agrees to participate in the Program, the student also agrees to participate safely in all Travel Program components with or without reasonable accommodation.
Students who determine to self-disclose after the deposit deadline, are advised that not all hosting partners, academic or housing, are able to meet all accommodations as received by the student in the United States. Should a student make the choice to self-disclose after the deposit deadline, Global Fairfield will work with all parties and make every effort to accommodate the students’ needs but cannot guarantee that the host institution or housing providers will be able to meet those needs. In this event, the host institution or housing provider may withdraw their acceptance of the student. The cancellation policy will still be applicable in this situation. If Global Fairfield is not able to find an alternate program that is still accepting applications and which meets the students’ academic and accommodation needs the student will be withdrawn from study abroad or, where applicable, advised to study abroad on an alternate term.
Students who choose not to self-disclose, risk their ability to receive accommodation while abroad. The student may be dismissed from the program at the discretion of the host university or housing provider if the institution determines that they are unable to provide the required support services and that those services are deemed to be essential to the student’s ability to successfully complete the program. The withdrawal policy will still be applicable in this situation.