Placements

Many courses have a placement component that is integral to learning and the future employment opportunities of students. The placement experience is designed to give students the opportunity to apply and extend their learning in a workplace environment.

For students with disabilities there can be additional challenges when going on placement. Should I disclose? Will I need any additional support? What will the attitudes of colleagues be? These are all questions that students routinely ask themselves. Staff may also have numerous questions that they consider before a student with a disability commences placement activities. Staff can be concerned with issues such as promoting a positive experience for all parties and meeting duty of care requirements.

Placement experiences constitute an assessable component of a student's course and as such, staff should exercise the same diligence to promoting reasonable adjustments and outcomes for students with a disability as with any other component of a course.

Useful Tips for a successful placement

• Information regarding placement expectations and placement assessment criteria should be accessible to all students. It is useful if time is allocated to discuss assessment criteria to develop a deeper understanding of requirements. A written document outlining criteria is highly recommended.
• Early in the semester invite students to meet you for a confidential discussion to discuss any particular needs they may have on placement. Early disclosure and planning facilitate a successful placement experience.
• Read the information available to students with disabilities regarding placements and practicum.
• Consult with the DLU and plan to meet with both the DLU and student to identify potential issues, possible adjustments and clarify responsibilities.
• With the permission of the student, consult with the placement organisation to identify potential issues and identify reasonable adjustments. Again clarify roles and responsibilities of relevant parties. It may be necessary to plan preliminary meetings where the student and University supervisor visit the organisation and discuss placement requirements in situation.
• Provide encouragement and support to the student and placement organisation. Many students with disabilities have undertaken successful placements. A positive attitude to inclusion and ensuring the student is a valued member of the placement team greatly enhances opportunities for successful outcomes.

Links

Australian Disability Education Clearinghouse (ADCET)

Creating Accessible Teaching Environments: CATS

University of Hull: Disabled students on Placement : Information for Placement providers, Colleges and Universities (DOC : 128KB)

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