Learning Abroad Center

Accessibility: Study & Intern in Sydney

Program Page

Learn about Study & Intern in Sydney.

Attitudinal

Australian society is very aware of and accepting of the differing needs of individuals with disabilities. There are large-scale marketing campaigns that reflect the growing community awareness of disabilities and acceptance that these individuals are equal members of society. Government legislation, services and agencies aim to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to services and facilities.

Classroom and Academics

In the past the Sydney program has hosted students with hearing impairments and learning disabilities. There is not a disability services office on campus, however there is a Student Support Officer that assists students with disabilities.

For a typical UMN student on a CEA CAPA Sydney program 13-16 credit hours are taken. This equates to 2-3 academic classes and an internship with a supporting academic class, which is usually 6 credits. However there is an option to take only academic classes. A program including an internship would be 8 class hours and 20 internship hours per week. An academics only program would be 12 class hours. Students learn most of their course materials through lectures and assigned reading by the lecturer. Most classes have a variety of assessments including exams, presentations and papers and should preferably be typed.

Academic accommodations that can be offered to students are note takers, recorded lectures, separate room to take exams, extra time to complete exams and service dogs are allowed in the classroom.

Excursions and Field Trips

Occasionally excursions are taken in connection to academic classes. Extended periods of time walking or moving around is possible. However, altering slightly the excursion would not be a problem in order to accommodate a student with a disability.

Housing and Food Services

The current student accommodations (Meriton Serviced apartments) are wheelchair accessible. The home stay option may not be wheelchair accessible, but every effort will be made to accommodate a home stay request. Service dogs are allowed in sponsored housing. Kitchen facilities are provided in each apartment, however they are not designed to specifically accommodate individuals with disabilities. There are no communal dining areas at the student accommodation.

Technology

Computers are available on campus for students to use free of charge. Computer labs are wheelchair accessible.

Library Services

Students do have access to library facilities and assistance is available to those students who need help.

Transportation

Students travel for no more than 45 minutes on public transportation between their housing and classes. Travel usually consists of using both bus and train. Most train stations (but not all) are wheelchair accessible via elevators. Also many buses are wheelchair accessible. All bus timetables will indicate which buses are wheelchair accessible. If a student has an internship, it may or may not be able to provide accommodations for students with disabilities. Each work place differs. Advance notification of a student’s needs must be communicated to the program in order to find an internship with accommodations.