P. Halligan & F. Howlin (UCD) M. Quirke & A. Heelan (AHEAD)

1. ‘The real risk is doing nothing’: Innovative practices developed to support nursing and midwifery students with a disability in clinical practice P. Halligan & F. Howlin (UCD) M. Quirke & A. Heelan (AHEAD)

2. Introduction UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems Nursing & Midwifery programmes Clinical partners sites 90 clinical sites Clinical Assessment Subcommittee (CASC)

3. Students with Disabilities • 1: 18 students have registered • Students may have more than 1 disability • Dyslexia is most common registered disability • 2009 = 39 registered students • 2010 = increased by 10

4. Development of Innovative Practices Aim • To extend supports to encompass clinical placements, using a collaborative and partnership approach, with key stakeholders, who support the students while on clinical placements Objectives • To explore the literature and identify international best practice • To identify the needs of key support staff • To develop appropriate, effective, and practical support systems • To identify pathways for future development

5. The Process

6. Phase One Literature Review &Consultation • Irish context • Disclosure • Competence & Fitness to Practise • Legislation • Reasonable accommodations or supports • Regulatory requirements and disability legislation • Further research • Consultation

7. Identifying and Assessing Needs Scoping workshop & collaboration Outcomes Written guidelines All disabilities Access to registered students Patient safety & fitness to practise Resources Symposium Phase Two • Clinical staff • Academic staff • Administration • Occupation health • Human Resource management • Access Centre/AHEAD • HSE

8. Establish Support Systems & Processes Support systems/processes Outcomes Consent form Increased awareness legislation disclosure disabilities competence & fitness to practice reasonable accommodations Guidelines →Resource Guide Clinical needs assessment Student support group • Information Letter • Consent form • Symposium • Legislation • Equality • Draft of guidelines • Consultation • Student focus group • Conference Phase Three

9. To Identify pathways future development Phase Four • Clinical Needs Assessment • Guidelines • Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) • Staff training and awareness • Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) project • Student national support group • Support, monitor, evaluate student and staff experiences • Establish International links • Publications

10. ‘The real risk is doing nothing’ Thanks to our contributors, colleagues and students Organisations – AHEAD and Access Centre Further information: Phil Halligan 01 7166420 phil.halligan@ucd.ie Frances Howlin 01 7166563 frances.howlin@ucd.ie