Chapter 25 – Practicums, Internships and Field Placements

Overview

The University of Texas at Arlington supports students with disabilities and encourages their full participation in all academic programs, including field placement of all kinds.

“Field placement” for the purpose of this document includes practicums, field experiences, internships, student teaching, clinicals or other work experiences required as part of the student’s academic program.

If a student requires accommodations during their field placement, it is the student’s responsibility to request accommodations in advance. Students should meet with their Accessibility Specialist to start the discussion of what accommodations may be needed for their field placement as soon as possible or at least six weeks prior to placement. Because field placement accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis, advanced notice is required so the SAR Center can work with the faculty, UTA field placement coordinator, and if needed, field site personnel to develop an appropriate accommodation plan.

*Nursing students who have or require disability-related accommodations are strongly encouraged to notify the SAR Center and the program managers early in the clinical placement process (i.e. at time of acceptance) to allow time to find a clinical site that is most suitable and appropriate. 

Student Responsibilities

1. Meet with the faculty or the UTA coordinator of the field placement program and/or site as early as possible to obtain more information about the expectations for the specific field placement site and determine if accommodations are needed. You may ask your SAR Center specialist to join this meeting.

2. Meet with your SAR Center specialist as soon as possible when you find out you will be taking a course that includes a field placement to discuss your questions or concerns regarding accommodations.

• Students are not required to use accommodations during their field placement. However, there are no retroactive accommodations for grades or performance. Accommodations for field placement sites, if used, are often different than accommodations used in the standard classroom setting.
  
  
• It is the student’s responsibility to find transportation to the field placement site unless transportation is being provided for all students. 

Things to Consider

• Site Selection: The selection of an internship site may be a key factor in providing an optimal environment for academic and professional development. The student and UTA field placement coordinator(s) should review potential sites based on the nature of the work environment and the responsibilities agreed upon between each site and academic supervisor. The student must identify the most critical factor(s) in determining their ideal placement. Disability accommodations should be one of the considerations.

1. Application or Interview Process (if Applicable): If an application or interview is required prior to acceptance into a field placement, and the student needs an accommodation to participate, the student is responsible for making the accommodation request to the SAR Center and the UTA field placement coordinator as soon as possible.

• Request for Accommodation in Field Placement: Students with disabilities are not required to disclose, nor may an institution inquire about, the presence of a disability unless the student is seeking reasonable accommodations. Students requesting accommodations must be registered with the SAR Center.

SAR Center Responsibilities

• Meet with the student to discuss whether there is a need for an accommodation and if needed, identify possible accommodations.
  
  

• Manage the interactive process between the student and the University, including those faculty from UTA who are directly involved in facilitating the field placement. Below is clarification of individuals who may be involved in the process:

a. UTA personnel: field placement coordinator, department, faculty, on-site personnel

b. Field site personnel: persons at the field site responsible for implementing reasonable accommodation(s), field site supervisor.

2. Provide consultation services to the UTA field placement coordinator prior to placement, and if needed and requested, accompany the UTA field placement coordinator and the student to visit the assigned site.

• Provide consultation services to the student, faculty, and UTA on-site personnel during the field placement. Consultation can also be provided directly to the field site personnel in partnership with the UTA field placement coordinator.

3. Provide consultation services when adjustments to the accommodation plan may be required or when questions arise regarding reasonable accommodations. 

Summary of Responsibilities Regarding Accommodations for Internships, Practicums, and Field Placements:

1. Student

• Inform the SAR Center if an accommodation is needed at a field placement site as soon as possible or at least six weeks in advance of the field placement.
  
  
• Work with the SAR Center, Department and UTA field placement coordinator to develop an accommodation plan.

a. When starting field placement, discuss accommodations with UTA on-site personnel and/or field site personnel and others as appropriate.

b. If accommodations are not provided or not effective, contact the SAR Center as well as your UTA field placement coordinator.

2. SAR Center

a. Ensure SAR Center Student Handbook will list information regarding the field placement accommodations process.

b. Work with the student and the UTA field placement coordinator regarding accommodations potentially needed at the field site.

• Manage the interactive process between student, department, UTA field placement coordinator and field site personnel.

c. Provide consultation services to student, faculty, and the UTA field placement coordinator prior to and during field placement. Provide consultation to UTA on-site personnel and/or field site personnel, if needed.

d. If reasonable and effective accommodations are not provided, work with the student, department, UTA field placement coordinator and/or on-site personnel and field site personnel to identify options that may include the following: Correcting provision of accommodations; Identifying alternate accommodations; Continuing without accommodations; Finding a new placement site. This may mean the student needs to leave the field placement. 

3. Academic Department

• Ensure documents, orientation and/or student handbook, and departmental website regarding field placement should include: essential components and/or essential eligibility requirements of the placement and information on the process to request accommodations.

a. Advisors, course faculty and UTA field placement coordinators should refer students to the SAR Center for consultation.

b. Respect confidentiality rights of the student with a disability.

• Consult with the SAR Center regarding possible accommodations for a student during field placement. Consult regarding how to work with on-site personnel around implementation of accommodations. Consult with the SAR Center if there are any issues or concerns with accommodations or site placement.

• If accommodations are not effective, work with the SAR Center, the student, UTA field placement coordinator and field on-site personnel to resolve issues.

4. UTA Field Placement Coordinator

a. Inform the SAR Center that the student is requesting accommodations. Meet with the SAR Center to discuss field placement requirements and possible accommodations. Meet with the SAR Center and the student to discuss accommodations and implementation.

• Inform field site personnel of requested accommodations after receiving written permission from the SAR Center. Work with field site personnel to implement accommodations and respond to questions about accommodations.

b. Respect confidentiality rights of the student with a disability.

• Check-in regularly with the student around accommodations and effectiveness of the accommodations. Check in with the on-site UTA personnel and/or field site personnel regarding any questions or concerns about accommodations. Consult with the SAR Center if there are any issues or concerns with accommodations or site placement.

• If accommodations are not effective, work with the SAR Center, the student, UTA onsite personnel and field site personnel to resolve issues