April 20 applications due for Disability Studies South Africa: Disability and Rehabilitation in Limited Resource Environments
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Departments: Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Medicine
Estimated Program Dates: October 5 - December 11, 2015
Estimated Program Fee: $7,000
Credits: 12 credits
Program Director: Mark Harniss (Rehabilitation Medicine); Kurt Johnson (Rehabilitation Medicine); Rebecca Matter (Rehabilitation Medicine)
UW Study Abroad Program Manager: Karleigh Koster kkoster@uw.edu
https://studyabroad.washington.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11335
Disability and Rehabilitation in Resource Limited Environments
Deadline Extended to April 20th!
Interested in learning about disability and rehabilitation within low and middle income countries? Join us on a study abroad program jointly offered through Disability Studies and Rehabilitation Medicine in Fall of 2015.
We will be based in Cape Town, South Africa and will spend time in rural areas of the eastern and western Cape. As a student, you will explore a wide range of issues related to disability and rehabilitation services including:
This interdisciplinary program is open to graduates, post baccalaureates, and undergraduates who have experience and interest in disability within limited resource and international environments.
To learn more, visit the Study Abroad website (https://studyabroad.washington.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=11335), or email Mark Harniss (mharniss@uw.edu).
Program Description
This study abroad course addresses disability and rehabilitation within low and middle income countries. Using South Africa as a cultural, political and socioeconomic context, students will explore a wide range of issues related to disability and rehabilitation services including prevalence and demographics, measurement, access and barriers to health care and rehabilitation, assistive technologies, accessibility of built environments and information technologies, and access and barriers to education and employment. We will address these diverse issues from international human rights, global health, and international development perspectives.
Nearly 80% of persons with disabilities reside in low and middle income countries (LMICs). While the size of this underserved population greatly exceeds other vulnerable populations in the developing world (e.g., HIV/AIDS: 31 million, orphans: 143 million, internally displaced: 26 million), it has received inadequate attention from academic institutions and the global health and international development community.
Students will participate in classes at the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape of South Africa, and engage in a wide range of site visits in surrounding communities over the 9 week period. Topics covered:
- Legislation & advocacy
- Prevalence and demographics, measurement
- Culture and social stigma
- Access and barriers to health care, rehabilitation, assistive technology
- Accessibility of built environments and information technologies
- Access and barriers to education and employment
- Disability identity
We will address these diverse issues within international human rights, global health, and international development perspectives. Parts of the course will be taught by faculty from the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University.
Location
Cape Town, South Africa
Sites
Fieldtrips outside of Cape Town include excursions to East Cape and Karoo.
Housing
Although still in the process of being confirmed, housing will be arranged through our university partner, most likely the University of Cape Town (UCT). UCT has 39 student residences, flats, and houses that accommodate 6,600 students. The residence system offers catering and self-catering options.
Academics
Pre-Requisites/Language Requirements
This program is open to graduates, post baccalaureates, and undergraduates who have experience and interest in disability within limited resource and international environments. Students must have a 2.8 GPA.
Credits
12 Credits
Courses
REHAB 496 (12 credits)
This course addresses disability in limited resource environments in an international context. Using South Africa as a cultural, political, and socioeconomic context, students will explore a wide range of issues related to disability in low-middle income countries including prevalence and demographics, measurement, access and barriers to health care and rehabilitation, availability of assistance and support, accessibility of built environments and information technologies, and access and barriers to education and employment. We will address these diverse issues using the twin themes of international human rights and development. Students will also engage in research activities.
Goals of the 9 week course:
- Develop a broad understanding about the experience of people with disabilities in South Africa through personal experience and study.
- Analyze disability rights, federal and state policy, and access to services in South Africa within the context of international human rights law (e.g., the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities).
- Within the framework of the International Classification of Function (ICF), contextualize the experience of people with disabilities in LMIC countries.
- Develop a perspective on international development activities related to disability in South Africa and other LMIC countries.
- Engage in research activities with local organizations of people with disabilities (DPOs).
Program Directors & Staff
Mark Harniss, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Director of Program
Kurt Johnson, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Program Instructor and Research Advisor
Rebecca Matter, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Program Coordinator
Program Expenses
Cost
Estimated Program Fee of $7,000, the UW Study Abroad Fee ($300), airfare, food (about $10/day), UW Study Abroad Insurance ($62/month), other health expenses/immunizations, and personal spending money.
Average Airplane Ticket Price
$1,200 - $1,500* roundtrip
*Subject to when & where you buy your ticket.
Payment Schedule
Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.
Payment Type Payment Amount Payment Due Date Non-Refundable UW Study Abroad Fee $300 10/16/2015 Program Fee $7,000 10/16/2015 TOTAL FEES CHARGED $7,300 -
Orientation
To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an in-person pre-departure orientation facilitated by the UW Study Abroad Office. You are also required to attend all program-specific orientations offered by your Program Directors.
You must register for orientation through your online study abroad account in order to attend a scheduled session. You can visit the orientation section of our website to view the current orientation schedule.
Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most forms of financial aid can be applied to study abroad. You can verify that your financial aid award will apply to your program costs by contacting theFinancial Aid Office. Financial aid or scholarships awarded as tuition waivers or tuition exemptions might not apply so you will need to verify that these funds are eligible for use with study abroad by contacting the funding office.
Financial aid and most scholarships are disbursed according to the UW academic calendar (at the beginning of the quarter). If your program starts before the start of the UW quarter, your financial aid will not be available to you prior to your departure. If your program starts after the first day of the quarter, your financial aid will be disbursed at the start of the program. In either of these cases, you will have to finance any upfront costs such as airfare, health insurance and the start of your time abroad on your own. Please take this into consideration when you are making plans.
Revision Request
In some instances you may qualify for an increase in your financial aid award (typically in loan funds). Check with the Financial Aid Office about your options. To request a revision in your aid, you will need to submit the following paperwork to the Financial Aid Office:
- Revision Request Form
- Budget of student expenses for your program: The UW Study Abroad Office will upload this budget to your study abroad account after a signed contract has been submitted to the UW Study Abroad Office. You can request an unofficial copy of this budget by emailing ipe@uw.edu.
Visit the Finances section of our website to learn more about disbursement, revising your aid package, short-term loans and scholarships.
Application Process
The application includes a Personal Statement, three short answer questions, two faculty recommendations, and electronic signature documents related to UW policies and expectations for study abroad. Following the on-line application process students may be contacted by the Program Director for an in-person interview. Once an admission decision has been made regarding your application, you will be notified by the study abroad system via email.
Disability Accommodations
The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at Disability Resources for Students.
Withdrawals
$350 of the total program fee and the $300 UW Study Abroad Fee are non-refundable and non-revocable once a contract has been submitted, even if you withdraw from the program. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun. The date of withdrawal is considered the date (business day) a withdrawal form is received by the UW Study Abroad Office. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:
- Provide notice in writing to the Program Director that you will no longer be participating in the program for which you have signed a contract and accepted a slot.
- Submit a signed withdrawal form to the UW Study Abroad Office, 459 Schmitz Hall.
Visit the Withdrawals section of our website for more information.