Extramural studies (EMS) accessibility project working group membership and work programme
Introduction
Veterinary students are required by the RCVS to carry out 38 weeks of work placements or Extramural Studies (EMS), the terminology used by the RCVS. EMS has two distinct components: Animal Husbandry (12 weeks) and Clinical EMS (26 weeks).
The EMS Accessibility Project will analyse the different types of EMS placements, with the outcome being a resource for placement providers indicating how they can make provision for students with disabilities. This will also assist veterinary school staff and students to identify the most suitable placement for each student with a disability.
Membership of the EMS accessibility project working group
The Director of DIVERSE is responsible for managing the work carried out by this Working Group, which will involve the following veterinary schools
- Bristol
- The Royal Veterinary College
Within the original bid accepted by HEFCE, named members of staff from each institution were as follows:
Bristol
Dr Frances Barr, Departmental Advisor for Students with Disabilities Kat Bazeley, School of Veterinary Science
The Royal veterinary College
Peter Merson, National Co-ordinator and Head of the Veterinary Business Liaison Unit (VBLU)
Any changes will be reported to the DIVERSE Project Steering Group.
Method of work
Classification of placements
Veterinary school staff will provide the DIVERSE Director with details of the main characteristics of EMS placements.The DIVERSE Director will make an initial classification of these placements on the basis of their potential suitability for students with different types of placements.
EMS fieldwork
In order to carry out a more detailed assessment of these classifications, the DIVERSE Director will visit a range of placements as agreed with the other staff involved in this part of the project. In particular, if it is known that a particular placement has had a student with a disability in the past, or if a current student with a disability is on a placement, these placements will be visited. (In the latter case, the agreement of the student concerned will be obtained; in all cases, the agreement of the placement provider will be obtained.) Visits will also be made to particular practices known to have a disabled vet, provided that his/her agreement is obtained.
Information obtained will be regarded as confidential unless the student and/or the placement provider give their express permission for information to be released and there is a valid reason for doing so.
As the DIVERSE Director will spend 2-4 weeks at Bristol, Cambridge and Liverpool veterinary schools during the first year of the main project, it is likely that some visits will take place during these placements. However, most visits will be concentrated on Bristol and RVC.
EMS accessibility project outcomes and resources
Training resource for EMS placement providers
This resource will contain a range of information to ensure that placement providers are aware of their responsibilities towards students with disabilities. It will also provide them with practical information, using photographs from named practices, of how adjustments can be made to premises or working practices in order to offer a higher level of accessibility.
Development of the national EMS database
Information about accessible placements will be added to this national register of veterinary practices which take students on work placements. This resource will be of direct benefit to students with disabilities and tutors advising them.
Staff development days and outlines
Within the overall DIVERSE staff development programme, the results of the EMS Accessibility Project will be transmitted to as well as commented on by staff from the veterinary schools. As the exercise progresses, staff attending staff development will be provided with outlines relating to various issues raised and confirmed by the project.
