Have you had any interchange with any type of disabilities?

Primarily we have students with learning disabilities (LD) and mental health issues more so than physical disabilities.  Students with LD tend to be OK because they have organized all the things they need to do before they get here and worked in conjunction with the university here as well so we just make sure the university has their paperwork and is aware of their problems.  As for students with mental health issues, as long as they continue to use their medication while they’re overseas, they tend to have no problem whatsoever.  It’s the students who go off their medication because they are in a new country and having a new experience that tend to encounter problems. 

Does the University of Limerick have a Disability Office?

There is a disability office at the University of Limerick .  I have not dealt with it myself because the international office deals with the disability office, and we work with the international office.  But when the student gets to campus we would help them work with the disability office.

Have you had problems who did not preplan appropriately?

Where a student doesn’t preplan is where it gets problematic from the moment they arrive, so preplanning must be emphasized at the pre-departure stage.  If a student has ADD and not disclosed to us, and comes here expecting accommodations, it is a problem.  Universities are slow to accept what they didn’t know about in advance.  Students who don’t take their medication and then suddenly want to go home just fall apart in a new environment. 

How accessible is Limerick to someone with crutches or a wheelchair? 

Limerick is like every other Irish city in that it is accessible, and all the facilities are there to assist you.  It is a matter of finances, to be able to pay for services, such as if you need to get a taxi from your home to campus or you need to know that you may not be able to take the regular buses like everyone else.  You need to financially sound to be here.

When working with the Disability Office, how easy is it to get accommodations for exams and classes?

The accommodations are available, again, it’s a matter of being organized and advanced and letting them know what your problems are.  You will need official documentation of your disability to prove yourself, and not just expect them to take your word that you have a disability.  They will be very accommodating, like extending exam times and extended essays as opposed to sitting for exams if that suits your needs better.  It’s all being able to document and work with them in advance.

IFSA Butler will work on organizing the student, working with International Office or Disability Office to find a suitable student in need of part-time work if a student with a disability needs an aide to help them take notes or be their reader.  The student will be responsible for payment, while IFSA makes sure they have a good relationship and are comfortable with each other. 

How crucial is it for a program provider and foreign university to work with a study abroad office in the United States ?

It is very important to have a good relationship with study abroad offices in Irish universities because they know on the ground what is happening at each campus.  We are graduates of a few universities and we rely on them to keep us updated.

Our program coordinator in Indianapolis works with the home school to guarantee that we get all the information and documentation that we need.  It is very rare that we speak to a study abroad office in the states unless we notice a change in a student that has not declared a disability.  We will try to see if that office has information that can help us help the student.

Awareness of disability in Ireland is truly increasing, especially since the Special Olympics were here two years ago.  It is still very legislation-oriented and public buses are still not required to help those with disabilities get on, which is a problem but there are always ways around it.  The more people helping you out in your study abroad experience, the better it is going to be.  It is not going to have as much accessibility at home since it is a very old country with limited access, but we are continually increasing and making it easier for those with disabilities.  Since 2000, all new buildings are required to be wheelchair accessible.  Just know that it may not all seem easy when you get here, but it can be worked out and you will have a positive experience.    

If a student with mental health issues needs a psychologist or psychiatrist, are there facilities available? 

All Irish universities have free health centers and free counselors available for all registered students, which offers the services of nurses, doctors and counselors.  That is with the exception of Northern Ireland , where students are under the UK system, which is where a student needs to be here for more than six months before they are eligible for access to the health center.

For anybody who needs more than a regular counselor or psychologist from campus, we can help find that person as well, but again, it’s not free.  Students will need reimbursement from home insurance plan after the program. 

Overall, I think it is a good place to come because Irish people are very willing to be helpful and put themselves out there for you.  If you come here, you will be looked after.  Irish universities are very warm to their students, especially to the international communities.  They are quite aware that they are important to the campus, so there are many structures in place to look after them.  It’s a positive thing to know there is always a smiling face willing to help you.