Placement FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can I request Placement/Study Abroad/Erasmus support from the NUI Galway Disability Support Service?

Students who are registered with the Disability Support Service, can request placement/study abroad/Erasmus support by emailing: disabilityservice@nuigalway.ie 

I am registered with the DSS and due to go on Placement; do I have to meet with the disability advisor before placement?

It is highly recommended that you avail of the support. While the meeting is voluntary and you may not require support while on placement, you may benefit from having a conversation with a Disability Advisor prior to going on placement.

Will the meeting be in person or online?

Placement meetings will take place by MS Teams Video call, phone or email this year (2021/22). However, you may also request an in-person meeting.

When are the meetings?

Ideally, meetings should take place alongside the preparations you begin in semester two of second year with your Placement Officer. While the optimal time for meetings is before going on placement, you can contact disabilityservice@nuigalway.ie to request a meeting at any point on your placement journey. 

What will we talk about at the meeting?

At the meeting, you will have the opportunity to discuss with a Disability Advisor supports you may require while on placement and if you would like to discuss disclosing a disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty to your placement site.

If you choose to disclose your disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty to your placement site, a placement plan may be completed. This plan specifies what reasonable accommodations might be required while on placement.

What is Disclosure?

Disclosure means informing someone or to make the information known, in this case to the placement site, about your disability, specific learning difficulty or mental health difficulty.

What information do I disclose?

The amount of information or what information you choose is a personal choice. You do not need to give a full medical history. When/where/how/what and if you disclose is your choice.

What are the benefits of disclosing to my placement site?

One of the significant benefits of disclosure is that it makes the employer aware of certain challenges that a student may face as a result of the impact of disability. This makes it possible for relevant supports to be agreed and provided before placement begins. Students going on placement can also take confidence from the knowledge that supports can be discussed if necessary.

For detailed information on support for disclosure, visit: AHEAD: A Guide to Disclosure

Am I obliged to share, with a prospective employer, details of my disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty on an employment application form or during a job interview?

You are not obliged to share details of your disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty on an employment application or during a job interview, unless you require the implementation of reasonable accommodations for the application or interview process.

If I am offered a job, do I have to disclose my disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty to my employer?

Disclosure of a disability is a personal decision, and it is your right not to disclose if you wish. There is usually no legal obligation for students to disclose.  In some cases, where there may be a risk factor, it may be necessary to disclose so that appropriate supports can be put in place.

Can I see some examples of Reasonable Accommodations?

Reasonable accommodations will vary from person to person. Supports are determined on a case-by-case basis and will vary depending on the needs of the individual and course/placement requirements.

Some examples include:

• Awareness 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. That person can also check in regularly with the student
• Awareness that the student may need time to review, clarify and summarise key points and take notes when instructions are given
• Allow or provide time and space for the student to take rest breaks or self-administer medication
• The student may need to use assistive technology

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

How are Reasonable Accommodations for placement decided?

Supports and reasonable accommodations for placement are determined through an individual placement plan which considers the nature and impact of the condition and course/placement requirements. 

If I do decide to disclose, will everyone on my placement site know?

Information relating to any necessary reasonable accommodations identified during the placement planning process should only be shared with those staff members on placement who are responsible for providing or permitting  such accommodations to the student. Therefore, it is not usually necessary to inform all staff at the placement site. 

If I decide mid-way through my placement that I need to tell my employer that I need support what can I do?

You may choose to disclose at different levels of placement depending on what supports you need and what benefits may follow. Reasons to disclose may become apparent as you become familiar with your environment, or if your environment or disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty changes. You can make contact with the DSS or your Placement Officer for advice on disclosure at any point during your placement.

If I am struggling while on placement, what can I do?

If you are struggling on placement, please contact your placement officer who will be happy to discuss any issues arising.