Jill, I was going through the thread topics and noticed your post. I was hoping to see some more ideas on how other programs handle this with regard to field. Another commenter noted that accommodations for the classroom typically include allowances for extra time to submit work or take exams, e.g. Some of our students are allowed leniency with absences or arriving late to class. We have recently encountered a situation where the MSW student was missing a lot of days at their practicum connected to their disability. They were in jeopardy of not meeting the required hours for the semester. Additionally, their performance was not meeting minimum expectations. This led me to re-think accommodations as they apply to practicum/internships. The internship, like a JOB SITE, can allow REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE WORKPLACE as per ADA regulations. However, missing multiple days of work could lead to a social worker being terminated from employment; especially if the do not yet qualify for FMLA protections. Ultimately, they were given the option to withdraw from the University for the semester (and re-enroll later) or face the high likelihood of not passing practicum.
When a student requests accommodations, the instructors are notified and receive a letter of recommended accommodations. I go over these accommodations with the student and discuss which ones apply to the course and how we will implement them. I believe this would be a good way to go over workplace expectations, and how educational accommodations might not be reasonably applied.
Thank you for your questions!
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Angela Wood
Asst. Professor/Field Director
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond LA
985-549-2309
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