Experiential education: clinical training, internships, externships, practicums
Experiential education refers to learning opportunities that take place outside the traditional classroom and are integrated into academic programs. These include clinical training, internships, externships, practicums, and other work-based experiences completed for academic credit. Depending on the student’s major or school, participation in a field education experience may be required.
Accommodations for experiential education differ from those provided in classroom settings. While classroom accommodations might include extended test time or note-taking support, accommodations in experiential settings are often more aligned with those found in the workplace. They are designed to support students with disabilities in meeting the essential requirements of their field placement or training site.
ODE engages in an interactive process with students to understand how their disability may impact their experiential learning. Together, ODE and the student explore appropriate accommodations based on the essential functions of the experience. ODE also collaborates with academic departments and field placement coordinators to ensure accommodations are feasible and effective.
To ensure a smooth and successful experience, we strongly encourage students, faculty supervisors, or field placement coordinators to contact ODE before the start of the placement. Early planning helps identify potential accommodations and supports a more positive learning environment.
Student roles
- Schedule an appointment with ODE as soon as you know you will take a course with field experience requirements.
- Understand the essential functions of the position.
- In collaboration with ODE, identify potential barriers and reasonable accommodations in the setting.
- Meet or communicate with your school's site supervisor or the appropriate contact persons to discuss and determine accommodations for the field experience setting.
- Know that your ODE consultant can be part of meetings or communication upon request from you, your field placement coordinator, your site supervisor, or your supervising faculty.
- Communicate with your site supervisor or appropriate contact persons when any concerns arise.
- If a field site cannot or is unwilling to make an approved accommodation, contact ODE immediately to facilitate a resolution.
ODE roles
- Maintain students’ disability documentation.
- Engage in an interactive process with the student and their school to identify possible accommodations that mitigate the barriers for the student to perform the essential functions of the requirements.
- Provide the student, the student’s field placement coordinator, and the supervisor with possible accommodations.
- Be available to join a meeting with the student, the faculty member, and site personnel to implement reasonable accommodations.
- Provide consultation support to the school, site personnel, and the student during the field experience.
- Coordinate a meeting with the student, school, and field site supervisor if a resolution is necessary.
Schools, agency field instructors, and field placement supervisors' roles
- Include the disability accommodation statement in any syllabus with field placements.
- Clearly describe the essential functions, duties, technical skills, and abilities to fulfill the requirements.
- Engage in an interactive process with the student and review and discuss how the accommodations will be provided within the field placement requirements. When applicable, invite the ODE consultant to the process.
- Assist the student with providing the details about the accommodation to appropriate field site personnel.
- Monitor student progress and contact ODE as necessary for advice in adjusting existing accommodations or providing new accommodations.
Resources
– provides job hunting tips, examples of work accommodations, tips on when to disclose a disability and request accommodations, and the recommended interactive process for employers.