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Placement Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations enable people with disabilities to participate on more equal terms with their peers. Effective accommodations which support students within the workplace do not have to be complicated or time-consuming and often the simplest changes can make the greatest difference.

Going on work placement should be an exciting and enjoyable experience which provides an opportunity for new challenges and personal development. Everyone is different and you may find that you flourish in the practical environment of the workplace. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to implementing placement support as each person will have a unique set of challenges and coping mechanisms.  Challenges can vary depending on the environment and supports required in one workplace may not be needed in another.

The best way to establish what accommodations you may require on placement, if any, is to attend a Placement Planning Meeting prior to the commencement of your placement.

Reasonable accommodations to consider may include: 

  • Awareness on behalf of the student's placement manager that the student has a disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty.
  • Identify a mentor/work buddy so that the student can clarify any issues they may have with that person and if that person can also check in regularly with the student.
  • Allow or provide time and space for the student to take rest breaks or self-administer medication.
  • The use of assistive technology to assist in the completion of work.

More information on reasonable accommodations can be found here: https://www.ahead.ie/employer-accommodations

Occupational Therapy related to placement preparation:

Students registered with the Disability Support Service can avail of one-to-one support from our Occupational Therapists to help them develop skills that you may need for placements.

This might include developing your communication, attention or organisation skills. OTs can also support you to look at the tasks that you are expected to carry out on placement and help you breakdown these tasks into smaller pieces and prioritise your workload appropriately.

If you feel you might benefit from this type of support please ask your Disability Advisor (listed at the bottom of your LENS report) to refer you to Occupational Therapy.