Learning Abroad Center

Accessibility: MSID Senegal

Program Page

Learn about MSID—Senegal.

Attitudinal

Very few people with disabilities have taken advantage of educational opportunities due to lack of access.  In general there is very little infrastructure in Senegal to support the integration of people with disabilities, but some groups in-country are advocating for increased opportunities.

Dakar has a center that teaches communication among Deaf persons, but there are no sign language interpreters.  Program faculty have not received training in working with or providing accommodations for students with disabilities. However, the MSID staff is committed to making their program accessible.

Classroom/Internship Site

Buildings in Senegal are not generally wheelchair accessible and field trip transportation is only sometimes accessible. Classrooms are not currently wheelchair accessible, but this may change.  Service dogs are allowed in the classroom.

Notetaking services are not generally available, but someone could probably be hired.  In most cases, it is possible to provide a low-distraction testing environment, other test accommodations, modified deadlines or alternative ways of completing assignments.  Sometimes syllabi can be provided in advance.  Lectures may be tape recorded.  On-site staff do not have the facilities to provide materials in alternate formats, although audio cassette recordings could probably be arranged if the student or home institution can provide funding to hire staff for this purpose.

Excursions and Field Trips

Excursions usually require extensive walking.  It may be possible to provide wheelchair-accessible transportation.  The host family can also be asked to provide mobility and visual assistance.

Housing and Food Services

Participants are housed in homestays, and therefore it would be difficult to find accessible housing.  Some families do not allow dogs.

Technology

Computer facilities with Internet and email access are available for student use.  No other adaptive technology is available.

Library Services

It is hard to say if assistance would be provided to access library services because there have been no opportunities for individuals with disabilities to pursue education and therefore they have had no need to use libraries.

Transportation

There are four main public modes of transportation in Senegal: local bus, minibus (something between a bus and a taxi), taxi, and car rapide (like a taxi for long distances).  None of these forms of public transportation is designed to be wheelchair-accessible.

Health Services

American students can be referred to a few English speaking physicians in town.