Job Discussion Forums

r3d_haz3 · Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 1

Hey,

I was interested in teaching overseas, however, I am in a wheelchair.
I am not completely wheelchair bound. I would like to get your opinions on the accessibility overseas.

I was thinking of going to either one of the larger cities in China, or if not that, just somewhere away from home.

Thanks,

r3d_haz3

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

Hi
When I was in Beijing earlier this year, I noticed that several places had wheelchair access; hotels, restaurants; one or two language schools but maybe this did not apply to all parts of the city...

Special Report · Joined: 08 May 2007 Posts: 8

I'd make very, very sure you had a position lined up, first. Make sure the employer knows you are in a wheel chair and all that it brings with it.

I would also bring someone with me for the first month or so. This would help in adjustment until you can figure things out for yourself: shopping, laundry, early moring hours, taxis, eating out.

Asia is not for the meek. Asia is not 'back home.' There are things that are unexpected everyday. That is part of the attraction, good and bad. I have known employers to say 'yes, yes, yes', then when they have you there in the country, they switch you to another country. This is not back home with the same laws. It is still 'wild, wild west' in some places, though it has calmed down some.

Good, that you are wanting to stretch limits. I suggest you build yourself up to it and don't go at China alone. It is a place where people openly discriminate and won't help you for love or money. Bring someone to help you if it gets too much.

furiousmilksheikali · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 10:54 am Post subject:

This is a little vague. After all, where do you call home?

Japan's wheelchair access system has been improving a lot and generally speaking shouldn't cause any difficulties, I imagine.

"Somewhere away from home" leaves open too many possibilities. I agree with a previous poster that most of Asia is going to be pretty tough. Southeast Asia such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos are almost certainly out of the question (not that I would presume to tell you where you can and can't go.)

Most of Europe would be about as good as most of the States, I imagine.

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

As I would imagine the OP already knows, the problem often doesn't lie with the school, but the outside life surrounding it. For example, the university where I teach is a reasonably modern facility with some modest concessions to wheelchair access - but forget about mobility outside of the uni. The city sidewalks are full of potholes and jutting rebar. Most of the curbs do not have 'cut-outs'. None of the apartment buildings have access ramps or elevators. And public transport consists of taxis and old buses.

Now that's here in Mexico, but I imagine most of the "developing world" isn't much different.

tedkarma · Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 12:57 pm Post subject:

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

Annah · Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Canada

Everyone has some great suggestions. It will certainly be an added difficulty to be in a wheelchair if you wish to teach overseas, but it's not impossible. To make things easier, I'd definately would have someone else to go with.

In February I visited my brother in Korea (he's teaching english) so I can only speak of this country. Not everything is accessible--though that goes even for western countries as well-- but they are in the process of changing that. As mentioned, it probably won't be the place you'll be teaching that will be the problem, but the outside life. This can be somewhat offset if you do go with another person, at least initally, to get to know the place.

Besides what everyone else has said, I'd suggest getting very familiar with the country you plan to visit, including any disability acts and disability resource centres they have, if present, and options for wheelchair repair (I lost my armrest while there and had to wait until I got back to Canada to get a new one). And finally, since the situation already has some obstacles to overcome, it might be beneficial to learn the language, if only the fundamentals--while in Korea, things would have been a lot easier if I was able to communicate.

Being in a wheelchair does not prevent you from teaching overseas. It will be hard of course, but again not impossible. With the right amount of research and preparation, I imagine it would be a great experience. I loved my time out there, though it was only for ten days, and was thinking that I'd like to give it a try after I get my MA (in about two or three years). If you do end up going, tell me how it goes Smile

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

But the OP has to know that English teachers, especially in their first year earn pretty modest wages. How is the OP going to get from home to work? He wont be able to afford a car. What language school is going to even look at him? I mean lets be honest, so much of TEFL is image; the white, young, fun face energetically bounding around a classroom.
Teachers usually live in cheap shared apartments as thats all they can afford, how is the OP going to afford a nicer place on ground level? Remember cheap places have a squat toilet etc. Most TEFLers are a young bunch, lets be honest, are they going to want to live with someone in a wheel chair? Without support, that WONT be there, how is the OP going to even buy his groceries?

OP, nothing is impossible and if a man can climb Everest I am sure you could do it. But it would need a lot of preparation and the chances of success are slim.