How to Get the Accessibility Accommodations You Need for Your Summer Abroad

In 2026 summer, Summer Abroad undertook the initiative to streamline the process of how Summer Abroad participants register and obtain a tailored Letter of Accommodation. Led by Catherine Dumé (Summer Abroad Special Projects & EDIA Coordinator), with the support of Annicka Stabenow (Accessibility Services) and under guidance from Loraine Au Tham (Director of Summer Abroad). With our combined efforts, Summer Abroad is excited to share this resource with students as they consider and prepare for their Summer Abroad learning opportunity. 

Your medical information remains confidential: Registering with Accessibility Services grants you access to tailored accommodations based on your needs, without having to share your medical information. Your medical history is kept private with Accessibility Services. Do not share personal medical information with Summer Abroad.  

Tailored Letter of Accommodations for Summer Abroad may include any of the following, depending on your needs: 

• Academic, such as in-course and testing accommodations  
• Residential, such as room with elevator access  
• Field Trips, such as wayfinding guide  

Please note that the above examples simply showcase the different types of accommodations that may be supported by the Letter of Accommodation for students who are registered with Accessibility Services. Accommodations provided to students are dependent on the students’ specific needs.  

To learn which accommodations you have access to, please connect with Accessibility Services.

Supports an Inclusive Experience: Unlike U of T Summer courses taught on campus, Summer Abroad courses are full year courses that are taught in a condense manner over 4-7 weeks in a different country. In addition to weekly lectures, students are required to attend mandatory field trips.  A tailored Letter of Accommodation supports a more inclusive experience for the student, which includes both academic and non-academic accommodations for a smoother learning experience abroad.  

 A tailored Letter of Accommodation may cover components that touch upon your housing situation while abroad; storage of medical prescription; support related to physical/mobility; and sensory and general wayfinding support for field trips. 

Students are strongly encouraged to discuss both their academic and non-academic needs with their accessibility advisor.  

Register with U of T Accessibility Services 

Important Timelines: U of T Students (Before Application) Visiting Students (After Admission - February -March)

Students with disabilities who need academic or non-academic accommodations for their course abroad are required to register with accessibility services.  This applies to both U of T and visiting students.  

U of T Students should register at their campus’ accessibility services before admission:  

• UTSG- St. George Campus  
• UTSC – Scarbrough Campus  
• UTM – Mississauga Campus  

Visiting Students should register at UTSG – St. George campus as soon as they are admitted.  

Important Registration Tips

• Register As Soon As Possible  
  • It is your best interest to register as soon as possible, once you have all the required documents.  
• Inform your Accessibility Advisor about your Plans for Summer Abroad 
  • As Summer Abroad courses start as early as May 1^st, we collaborate with Accessibility Services to ensure that our students have their accommodations in place before departure.  

Book an Appointment with Summer Abroad Staff ( December - January)

• To help you determine which programs/courses are the best for you - book an appointment with our Program Coordinators. 
• To discuss EDI or accessibility concerns – book an appointment with Summer Abroad Coordinator.  

Review Summer Abroad - EDIA Resources 

• Before you meet with your Accessibility Advisor, it is strongly advised that students review our Site-EDIA Resources and Student Communities resources to find the right course that meets their needs and objectives. 

Book an Appointment with Your Accessibility Advisor 

• After meeting with Summer Abroad Staff and selecting your preferred program, meet with your Accessibility Advisor and share relevant information on the course[s] so that they can tailor your accommodations for your needs.  
• Inform your Accessibility Advisor that you are a Summer Abroad student.  Share relevant course information so that your Letter of Accommodation is ready as soon as you are admitted.  
• If you or Accessibility Advisor have questions or concerns about how to tailor your accommodations for your course, or would like to meet with your course instructor, they can contact or book an appointment with the Summer Abroad Coordinator at summerabroad.edi@utoronto.ca. 

Book an Appointment with Your Accessibility Advisor

• Once admitted, email your Accessibility Advisor that you have been admitted into your Summer Abroad course and request that they create a letter of accommodation for that course.  

Complete the EDIA Questionnaire 

• Once admitted, you will have 7 days to fill out the post-admission section of your application. Which includes filling out the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) Questionnaire. This questionnaire will give you the opportunity to:  
  •  Upload your Letter of Accommodation.  
    • If you are unable to upload a tailored final copy of your letter of accommodation, we accept placeholder letters until the final copy is ready.  
  • Identify any dietary restrictions, allergies, medical prescriptions, racial, religious, gender concerns, single room requests, etc.  

We treat confidential information seriously. Relevant information will only be shared with Program Coordinators, On-Site Staff, and Instructors to ensure you are well supported abroad.  

Notify the Summer Abroad Coordinator Your Letter of Accommodation has been Uploaded 

•  The Summer Abroad application portal does not send notifications when you upload your letter of accommodation. Thus, make sure to send us an email that has been uploaded.  

Notify the Summer Abroad Coordinator If You Need an Extension for Your Letter of Accommodation Submission 

• If you are unable to upload a placeholder of your letter of accommodation within the deadline, let us know and we will give you a 1-week extension. 
• If you need more time, please cite the reason and expected date of submission in an email to the Summer Abroad Coordinator.  

Pick Up Your Sunflower Lanyard from Summer Abroad Office 

At Summer Abroad, we support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative as a means to ensure students will have an accessible travel experience. 

• Students with visible and invisible disabilities are encouraged to pick up a free Sunflower lanyard at the Summer Abroad office before they depart for their Summer Abroad program to ensure that they have an accessible travel experience by helping self-identify for travellers with disabilities. 
• To learn more about the initiative and find resources on sunflower friendly places airports airlines, visit our sunflower resource page.  

Get Ready to Depart

• Attend Summer Abroad events & workshops 

  • Meet & Greet 
  • Pre-Departure Orientation 

• Review Student Guide 

Before students depart, they will receive access to their course's student guide which provides detailed information about: 

• Important course dates
• Daily itinerary and program calendar 
• Pre-Departure Checklist 
• Information on how to fly to their destination 
• Information on getting settled in their housing and accommodation 
• How to travel in their destination during their stay 
• Health & Safety information 
• Site-Specific EDIA resources 
• Course information 
• Program & Emergency Contacts 

Students are strongly advised to review the above mentioned information in their course guide before they depart.