PSU Field Placement Accessibility

All individuals (with or without disabilities) must meet the essential functions of the job or experience and meet all performance expectations (with or without reasonable accommodations) in order to successfully complete field placements.

“Field Placements” include any practicum, field experience, student teaching, clinical practice, internship, training, clinic, capstones/community partnerships, co-ops, or work experiences conducted for academic credit.

Requests for Accommodations

The process of requesting accommodations for field placements should begin with a conversation between the student and the DRC Access Counselor & Consultant (AC&C). It is best that the request for accommodations is made as soon after the student secures a field placement as possible. The process of determining reasonable accommodations in field placements is collaborative so the initial discussion with the DRC AC&C will then lead to subsequent conversations most likely involving the DRC Director, the program’s Field Placement Coordinator, and the Field Placement Site Supervisor.

If a student decides to notify their academic department or site of their disability and/or need for accommodations first, those informed individuals will alert the DRC of the request and the student will be referred to the DRC to officially begin the process of requesting accommodations. If a student does not disclose a disability to, or request accommodations through the DRC, the student may be held to the same expectations as all other field placement participants.

Finally, accommodations cannot be applied retroactively, meaning that all accommodations are official from the day the DRC sends field accommodation letters to the student’s site supervisor and moving forward.

Student Responsibilities

Register with the DRC in a timely manner (accommodations are only active from the time they are approved and cannot be applied retroactively)
Inform the DRC Access Counselor & Consultant (AC&C) about the need for an accessible field placement and participate in discussions about accessibility and accommodation needs.
Throughout the field experience, and as early as possible, alert the AC&C if any concerns arise about accommodations not being met or about the need for additional accommodations.
If a student believes that they are being discriminated against based on a disability or any protected class, the student should contact the Office of Equity and Compliance.
- Please note that PSU’s Office of Equity and Compliance cannot investigate complaints against employees outside of PSU, such as a field supervisor at an agency or company, but can assist a student in referring the complaint to the appropriate person at their field site. The Office of Equity and Compliance can be reached at 503-725-5919 or diversity@pdx.edu.

DRC Access Counselor & Consultant (AC&C) Responsibilities

In initial appointments with students enrolled in academic programs where field placement is a required experience, AC&Cs will discuss field placement accessibility and process for requesting accommodations.
Upon receiving notification from a student that they need accessibility or accommodations in an upcoming field placement, the AC&C will have the student complete a Release of Information form, allowing the university to communicate with the site supervisor about the student’s limitations and/or accommodations in the case that it becomes necessary. See our information about confidentiality.
After having met with the student, the AC&C will collaborate with the DRC Director, the student’s PSU Field Placement coordinator, and the agency/company/on-site supervisor to discuss the student’s accommodation request.
After reasonable accommodations have been determined, the DRC will create and distribute the student’s Field Placement Accommodation Letter to all who have been involved.
The AC&C provides consultation to academic departments, site supervisors, and/or students during the field placement when adjustments to accommodations may be required or questions arise regarding what is a reasonable accommodation.

If you have questions about the information on this page, please contact the Disability Resource Center.

Email: drc@pdx.edu
Phone: 503-725-4150

Check our home page for hours and contact information.