Accessibility: Montpellier

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Attitudinal

Disabilities as recognized in France include physical and motor impairments, sensory disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, mental and cognitive disabilities, intellectual disabilities, cognitive disorders, psychological disorders, and disabling chronic illnesses.

The French law of 11 February 2005 on Equal Rights and Opportunities, Participation and Citizenship for People with Disabilities is a major piece of legislation aimed at improving the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities. It is built on three main principles: equality of rights, participation, and accessibility. Since its passage, the attitude of the general population has become more and more sensitive to the needs of individuals living with disabilities. In addition to the legal statutes, there are also many community-based organizations advocating for the integration of disabled persons in the workplace and elsewhere. 

The University of Minnesota’s study abroad program in Montpellier has hosted students living with a variety of disabilities including: vision and hearing impairments; mobility concerns (including a student in a wheelchair); cognitive, psychological and learning disabilities. Each student is unique and has varying accommodation considerations. The on-site staff will work individually with students to meet their needs whenever possible. It is important to note that accommodations in France may look different than in the United States. Advanced planning, student flexibility and self-advocacy are important in ensuring successful accommodation support.

Classroom Site

Accommodations may vary depending on whether the student is taking classes at the Program Center, the Université Paul-Valéry (UPV) or the Université de Montpellier (UM). Academic accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

• Test and assignment accommodations, such as extra time for examinations (time and one third is allowed based on French law, not one and a half or double time);
• Professional note taking services are not available for students with learning disabilities, but a fellow student can be recruited for this purpose;
• Scribes could be made available for students with upper mobility disabilities;
• Recording of class lectures (with instructor consent);
• Semi-private or reduced distraction testing facilities;
• Copies of syllabi, course readings and other class materials are generally not available in advance of the start of the semester, since they are rarely provided within the context of European higher education, but document scanning and other tools are available on-site;
• Course materials in alternate formats;
• Sign language interpreters are available (with significant advance planning) to translate lectures, but most often only into Langue des Signes Français;
• Registered service dogs are allowed in classrooms;
• Mobility support to/from campus;
• Wheelchair-accessible classrooms.

Most of the classrooms are technically wheelchair-accessible, but often only through circuitous routes. Limited classroom space may make it difficult to move a course held in an inaccessible location, but this could be explored on a case-by-case basis.

Required Documentation

Students will need to bring medical documentation to France if applying for accommodations at local universities outside of the UofM program center (including UPV and UM). These institutions require their own enrollment process that somewhat mirrors the process on-campus. Having a letter from your healthcare provider will expedite your accommodation review. 

Excursions and Field Trips

Excursions are optional in the Montpellier program and usually would not be fully wheelchair-accessible. Most group excursions require a considerable amount of walking or other strenuous activity. Onsite staff will individually discuss possible accommodations with students. Sign language interpreters are generally not available for needs outside the classroom. Other organizations in the community do provide excursions specifically for the disabled and could be explored further for interested students.

Housing and Food Services

The Montpellier program typically offers four different housing options for standard summer and semester programs: homestay, dormitory, shared apartment or studio apartment. The Learning Abroad Center and onsite staff will work with students individually to determine which housing type(s) can best accommodate the students needs and desired housing situation. There are no MILs (Magnetic Induction Loops) or alert systems available in program-sponsored housing, nor are personal attendant services readily available. All studios, shared apartments and dormitory rooms have refrigeration available, and some families may allow some personal use of kitchen facilities. It is hard to provide more details before meeting with students, but a few additional considerations:

• Host families: families are unlikely to have wheelchair accessible accommodations but can often accommodate many other student needs.
• Dormitory: There are a limited number of dorm rooms equipped for sensory disabilities and which are wheelchair accessible. These rooms are not guaranteed and must be requested well in advance.
• Shared apartments: it is not possible to guarantee a fully accessible shared apartment nor individual rooms.
• Studios: Some wheelchair accessible studios are available and they are able to accommodate registered service dogs.

Dining facilities in the student cafeterias and restaurants are wheelchair accessible on all campuses, but staff are not generally available for assistance in cutting food, reading menus, or carrying trays. Vegetarian options are offered. In cafeterias, the list of allergens is provided on the packaging. In the à la carte section of the restaurant, allergens are indicated in a downloadable app. The Program Center provides space for students to prepare their own meals during the week.

Technology

Wifi is available on campus and MILs (Magnetic Induction Loops) are available in amphitheaters. The Disability Resource Centers at both universities can provide the necessary equipment based on each student's needs on a case-by-case basis.

Disability Services

The Université Paul-Valéry (UPV) and Université de Montpellier (UM) have disability services offices on campus. Onsite staff work closely with the Disability Resources Center at the University of Minnesota and with the equivalent offices in Montpellier; Handi-Études (UPV) and Handi-Diversité (UM). Students must be registered with the appropriate office(s) in order to receive accommodations. The onsite staff in Montpellier will assist students with this registration and all administrative processes.

Transportation

Public transportation in Montpellier is in the form of city buses and trams. Buses run daily from about 6 a.m.–10 p.m. and trams from 5 a.m.–12:30 a.m.. On Saturday night, trams run until 1:30–2 a.m. Buses and trams are wheelchair accessible. A couple of local organizations provide wheelchair-accessible van services within the city or nearby locations, for recurring or punctual journeys; they propose reasonable fees. Distance to and from classes will vary depending on the housing option and whether or not the selected classes are held at the Program Center or on one of the partner campuses (UPV or UM).

All public transport in the city is accessible for service dogs. Buses and trams allow the presence of pets: bigger dogs need to have a muzzle and be on a leash, while small dogs and cats can be transported in a basket or closed cage, provided they do not disturb other passengers

Health Services

A nurse and a doctor are available on campus and a huge variety of high quality health care is available in the city, though some private practices may be located in old buildings without elevators. Some English-speaking physicians are available, as well as counseling services. Sign language interpreters are not readily available at health care facilities. UofM international insurance is fully comprehensive and will work with students individually to set-up payments and appointments.

Registered Service Animals

Under the 2005 French Disability Law, service dogs are authorized to accompany their owners in all public spaces, in order to secure equal access to transport, to places open to the public, as well as to those providing a professional or educational activity.

For a service dog to be registered and to ensure that the owner can benefit from these rights, two conditions must be met:

• Dogs must have received specific training. It is strongly recommended that the owner is able to show proof of this training (certificate, attestation, etc.) and that the dog wears its ID (harness, waistcoat, tag indicating its status as a service dog). They should belong to one of these two federations:
  • Assistance Dogs International
  • International Guide Dog Federation
• The dog's owner must be in possession of an identification card, issued by a recognized organization, attesting to the need for and use of the dog to assist a person with a disability. For people living permanently in France, this is the Mobility Inclusion Card.

Onsite staff can provide guidance to students about necessary steps for registration, but can not do this for the student and their dog.

In accordance with French regulations, the following disabilities are eligible for the attestation: visual and hearing impairment, motor impairment, diabetes, epilepsy, children with autism, Down syndrome or multiple disabilities.

Emotional Support Animals (ESA) are not recognized as service animals in France and cannot be officially registered.