Disability Services
Professional experience placements
CSU acknowledges professional placement opportunities as a defining element of CSU graduates, and 85% of CSU Schools have a practicum component. Many courses have a placement component that is integral to learning and future employment opportunities. The placement experience is designed to give students the opportunity to apply and extend their learning in a workplace environment.
There is some useful general guidance on the factors to consider when undertaking a placement, have a look at the University of Melbourne website.
For students with disabilities careful consideration of the tasks to be undertaken and the work environment of your allocated placement should begin early. Supports that a student receives on-campus may be inappropriate to continue in the workplace, and/or the requirements of the placement may see new issues arise. Many students with disabilities complete successful and enjoyable placements by considering a few key points:
- Disclosure to placement coordinator
- Disclosure to the placement organisation
- How would I manage this task if this really were my place of employment?
Refer to the earlier section on disclosure for factors to consider when disclosing your disability.
Disclosure to placement coordinator
Your placement coordinator can be a vital support in assisting you to organise a successful placement. They are the person who has the links to organisations and also has an expert knowledge of the tasks to be completed and attributes to be shown before a placement can be considered successful. By discussing your particular needs with them well before placements are organised, they can assist you to identify possible areas of concern and perhaps assist you to identify ways to overcome these. Sometimes the most effective outcomes are recognised when your DLO meets with your placement supervisor and yourself and adjustments can be considered from all viewpoints and resolutions identified.
It is imperative that these discussions occur well before your placement has been confirmed to allow for effective planning and implementation.
Disclosure to the placement organisation
It is not always necessary for a student to disclose their disability to a placement organisation but this is an important topic to consider if you would like certain adjustments to be implemented. Obviously, supports cannot be implemented if people do not know what your needs are. Discuss this issue with your placement coordinator and the DLO and allow yourself time to consider the pros and cons of disclosure. Often the pros do outweigh the cons. What, how and when you disclose are important; seek input from your placement coordinator and the DLO. Note that due to Privacy laws, only you can authorise disclosure to a placement organisation, and you need to give written permission to the DLO/ placement coordinator to do this.
How would I manage this task if this really were my place of employment?
The work environment and rigours of employment are vastly different to those of study and campus life. For students/employees with disabilities it is important to be resourceful and flexible when approaching essential tasks which may present barriers. You are the expert on how your disability impacts upon you. You have years of experience managing your disability in many different environments and have developed many coping strategies. It is important to remember that there is usually more than one way to approach and overcome a problem, so be prepared to think broadly and be positive in overcoming issues of concern. Not only will this assist you but it also is a sure way to impress your colleagues in the placement organisation (and your placement coordinator). You can be a great educator in making people focus on your positive attributes rather than any difficulties that your disability may present.
Students who are aware that they will be going on a professional placement should discuss this at an early stage with academic staff and with the DLO. The DLO can inform them of the detailed procedures that are to be followed in arranging any adjustments at their placement, starting by using the CSU checklist for professional experience .