Field Trips
Many courses at the University of Montana occur outside the traditional classroom or laboratory, and many programs require the completion of such courses as part of the standard curriculum. Examples of such courses are field trips, field experiences, practica, student teaching, professional internships and immersion in foreign cultures in order to study language and literature. Disability Services for Students adheres to our over-arching policies regarding program access, reasonable accommodations and prohibition against discrimination with respect to these educational experiences.
When a student asks us to do so, Disability Services provides reasonable accommodations such as readers, scribes, sign language interpreters, assistive technology, and other amanuanses. Disability Services covers the costs of some of these accommodations, and arranges cost-sharing with state vocational rehabilitation for others when the student is eligible for that program. Many accommodations are no-cost, and can be provided on site. For example, desks can be raised by blocks of wood to permit use from a wheelchair, work station lighting can be modified, and other no-cost accommodations can be provided upon request. At no time does a student pay fees for reasonable accommodations. However, personal services such as personal care attendants, drivers, etc. are the responsibility of the student.
The student arranges a practicum, internship, field trip or field experience or overseas study program through their instructor, advisor, professional school or other appropriate division of the University. If accommodations are likely to be required, the student must make the request. For example, use of an aid in student teaching would be requested by the student in advance. The purpose, activities and time necessary for the accommodations would be discussed by the Disability Services coordinator and the student, along with the practicum supervisor. Staff at the practicum site may need to be included as well.
In other cases, the student makes the requests directly to the practicum site personnel, and comes to Disability Services only for services which would involve some cost, such as readers or scribes. Disability Services and the student agree on which accommodations are necessary and reasonable, and the authorization to implement those (such as hiring a reader or sign language interpreter) is granted to the student. Supervising faculty should discuss the potential need for accommodations with students when appropriate.
Disability Services provides orientation and education to faculty and to on-site supervisors with respect to disability and to civil rights laws which provide protection against discrimination. The University of Montana-Missoula expects such remote learning sites to give assurances that they will comply with these laws. Upon request, Disability Services will follow up with students and faculty to ensure that reasonable accommodations which have been requested are being provided. Students should contact Disability Services and their faculty supervisor or instructor immediately if accommodations are not readily forthcoming.
With respect to these educational experiences, it is crucial that the student, especially for professional experiences in the student's final years of study, be prepared to make clear assessment of areas requiring accommodation. Disability Services often brainstorms with the student, and may offer various scenarios to consider in order to ensure that adequate thought is given to identifying post-graduation contingencies.
