When characterizing those interested in studying abroad we may think of people who are adventurous, inquisitive, worldly, etc. While no one is likely to cite a person's ability as such an attribute, a person's disability too generally is perceived as an inhibitor of such attributes, and in turn as a barrier to overseas study. However, this need not be the case.
I use a wheelchair and early in the spring of 1997 I came upon some information about study abroad programs in an ISS class. I had always wanted to travel and my parents supported me in the endeavor (meaning they foot the bill), so I quickly began investigating the prospects. After browsing through various classes offered throughout the world I decided to take creative writing and English Literature in London, England. I figured that it would be best to start off somewhere where I could speak the language (in order that I could more easily communicate if I needed assistance) and where there was at least a minimal awareness of disability issues.
When I loaded on the plane a few months later I knew little more than this about what to expect of London as far as its accessibility for persons in wheelchairs. My lack of knowledge was due more to the lack of information available about such conditions than it was to my lack of research. Even those at the office of study abroad who were familiar with the city could tell me little about how I might fare being in a wheelchair. This being the case, I realized that if I was to ever find out about the accessibility of London it would have to be first-hand.
The anxiety presented by this idea, however, was secondary to my desire as a college student to experience and learn about another part of the world. With this as the focus behind my decision to go abroad, problems with accessibility, while a concern, were not going to dissuade me. Just as a person without a disability would not choose to go abroad for this reason alone, neither would I make the choice not to go abroad simply because of one.
The six weeks I spent in London during the summer of 1997 were some of the best of my life despite, and in part perhaps because of, my disability. While there were many problems with accessibility such as rest room and travel accommodations they were easily dealt with. With the help of friends I made along the way and everyone involved in my program, these problems were overcome if not eliminated.
In this respect, what's important in considering whether or not to go abroad is not so much the challenges one might face in doing so, but the attitude with which one approaches those challenges.