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UW Disability Rights and Access in Australia

The outside of the Sydney Opera House during the day
Students are outside of a school. They are looking at each other and smiling.

Australia, Sydney

Offered through CIEE, the UW Disability Rights and Access in Australia program is UW signature program.  You will be working closely with both IAP and CIEE on this program.

The United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which was adopted in 2007, is an international human rights treaty aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities around the world. During this program, you will examine the implications of the Convention, with an emphasis on the United States and Australian contexts.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Preference is given to students within the School of Education. Further preference is given to students in the Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education majors.
  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Rehabilitation Psychology and Health Promotion/Health Equity

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Hotels

Program Duration

Summer 2026:  June 2 - 19, 2026

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 1/2/2026 Cost Details
Extended Deadline: 1/23/2026

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Join us in Australia!  As a program participant, you’ll examine the treatment of and services provided to disabled US Americans and Australians with respect to the standards outlined in the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  The ultimate goal of this course is for you to be able to thoroughly understand issues surrounding disability access, inclusion, and rights globally so that you can become an effective advocate for positive change.

This program is a great fit for a variety of majors, but especially for Health Promotion and Health Equity majors, Rehab Psych majors, and Disability Rights and Services Certificate students.

As this course focuses on examining services provided to individuals with disabilities globally, and particularly inequities that may be inherent in various systems, the entire course is focused on equity and inclusion for marginalized individuals (i.e., people with disabilities from various cultural backgrounds). That philosophical foundation extends to students from underrepresented backgrounds and with marginalized identities (racial, LGBTQ+, disability, religious, etc.).  The course will include extensive discussion of the intersection of multiple minoritized statuses, and the unique perspectives of students from underrepresented backgrounds.

This program will include a variety of excursions in the Sydney area exploring disability rights and access. On these excursions you will be asked to examine your experience and participation through the lenses of disability and access and to critically reflect on your experience and the experience of others with disabilities.  Tentative excursions include:

  • Tour Sydney
  • Visit to Taronga Zoo
  • Sydney Opera House Tour
  • Art Gallery NSW Tour
  • Royal Botanical Garden Tour
  • Visit to Sea Life Aquarium Sydney
  • Cultural Cruise
  • Sydney Disability Connection Expo

As a participant, you will receive 3 credits of RPSE 311 upon successful completion of the program.

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents

Program Leader

Susan Smedema

Professor & Department Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education

Susan Smedema is a professor and current chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education. She is a passionate advocate for the full inclusion of disabled people in everyday life, and dreams of the day where everyone can achieve their personal goals and flourish in life regardless of the challenges they may encounter. Her research focuses on positive psychology and disability, taking a strengths-based approach to the adjustment to disability process. She adores traveling, and has been to all over North America and Europe, various locations in Central America and the Caribbean, India, and of course, Australia!