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Work placements, field trips, study abroad
Students are often required to undertake fieldwork as part of their course as it provides them with both a valuable opportunity to apply what they have learnt and an opportunity to gain work experience. To ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to the benefits that fieldwork provides, good planning is essential.
The Creating Accessible Teaching Support (CATS) site 
recommends that those organising fieldwork experience or work placements:
- Ensure that the fieldwork application and selection processes are equitable for all students.
- Identify key staff who will organise and coordinate the placement and clarify their roles.
- Clarify and document the placement objectives and assessment criteria.
- Discuss with the student their learning needs and any implications of the placement experience.
- Review and clarify any adjustments to the work environment that are required for the student to successfully complete the placement such as:
- Consult fully with the employer and provide any disability-related training that is required.
- Ensure that the placement agreement identifies:
- the respective roles of the university, employer, field teacher and student
- communication mechanisms
- grievance procedures
- any accommodations/services to be provided.
- Ensure that there is a full review of the placement with a view to continuous improvement of the process.
In addition to the information provided on the CATS website, the Learning Support for Disabled Students Undertaking Fieldwork and Related Activities site provides comprehensive planning checklists for fieldwork (pre, during and post the activity).
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