Supporting Erasmus, International and Visiting Students

The Disability Service in each HEI has a role in supporting students who study as an Erasmus, International or Visiting student.  This applies to students who come to study at the HEI (referred to as Incoming students) as well those who go to study in other HEIs outside of Ireland (referred to as Outgoing students).

Information for Students

• Incoming and Outgoing students should research their intended HEI and country carefully.  Students registered with their home Disability Service should contact their Disability Service/ International Office when planning to study in another country to discuss in advance how best to prepare for studying abroad, including disclosing a disability to a host institution and seeking Reasonable Accommodations.  This should be done before, or as soon as possible after application.  See Study Abroad/Erasmus checklist for students with disabilities (Appendix 16) for a suggested checklist that can help students when planning to study abroad.
• Supporting Incoming and Outgoing students is a collaborative process involving the International/ Erasmus Offices and the Disability Service in the HEI.  Specific information on the supports available to Incoming and Outgoing students with disabilities should be available on the HEI Erasmus/International and Disability Service web pages and literature.
• Students should be made aware that the adoption of inclusive practices and the provision of Reasonable Accommodations can vary significantly in different institutions and countries.  Reasonable Accommodations may differ depending on the institution and the jurisdiction in which the student intends to study.

Registering with the Disability Service as an Erasmus, International or Visiting Student

• Incoming and Outgoing students should contact the Disability Service in the host institution well in advance of arrival to discuss the registration process, Reasonable Accommodations and funding available.
• Incoming students must follow the registration procedures in the host HEI which includes registration with the Disability Service and completion of a Needs Assessment to identify the Reasonable Accommodations that are required.
• Incoming students must bring copies of their disability documentation from their home country.  If the documents have been completed in a language other than English, they must be submitted with an English translation.  This translation must be completed by an individual/organisation that is completely independent of the student.  A letter confirming supports received in the home institution is not sufficient, but this letter (translated into English) can accompany the student’s documents.
• The Reasonable Accommodations that Incoming and Outgoing students receive in the host institution may differ from those accommodations received in the student’s home institution.  Reasonable Accommodations for Incoming students will be provided in line with the guidelines outlined in this document.
• Where an Outgoing student has provided express written consent, the HEI Disability Service can provide details of Reasonable Accommodations and documentation to the host institution.

Funding for Disability Related Costs

• As part of their preparations to study in another country, Incoming and Outgoing students should make a financial plan which includes additional disability related costs and any funding that may be available to cover these extra costs.
• Incoming students have a right to access education and Reasonable Accommodations under the Equal Status Acts 2000 (as amended) and the Disability Act 2005.  Institutions in Ireland are legally obliged to ensure that Incoming students are reasonably accommodated, and funding should be made available to cover the cost of these accommodations as per the ESF/FSD criteria.
• The ESF/FSD funds Reasonable Accommodations for Outgoing students while they are studying in another country.
• The Erasmus programme may allocate additional funding to support students with a disability wishing to take part in an Erasmus+ exchange in the EU, and who might otherwise be prevented from doing so. More information on this is available through the HEI Disability Service/International/Erasmus Office, and also from EURIreland.ie.
• The HEI is responsible for carrying out Needs Assessment for Incoming students.

Download: Study Abroad/Erasmus Checklist for Students with Disabilities

AHEAD & DAWN (2018), Inclusive Learning and the Provision of Reasonable Accommodations to Students with Disabilities in Higher Education in Ireland. Dublin: AHEAD Educational Press.