The College Model:Strategic Partnerships that Enhance Faculty Engagement and Access within Academic Health Center Programs

The College Model:Strategic Partnerships that Enhance Faculty Engagement and Access within Academic Health Center Programs

Barbara BlacklockBarbara BlacklockTim KamenarTim KamenarKrysten SchwartzKrysten Schwartz

Disability Resource CenterDisability Resource Center

2014 AHEAD Conference

• Introduction and background

• Development of the Model

• Key strategies

• Tools to support partnerships

• Benefits

• Considerations for your campus

• Questions

Agenda

• Internal complaintso Medical School and the School of Nursing

• Attitudinal barriers

• Accommodation requests were compromised

• Concerns addressed

• Options considered• Model selectedo University General Counsel o Disability Services leadershipo Student Affairs leaders in each school

Background

• Clinical rotations or internships• Patient safety• Technical standards• Lock-step or inflexible curriculums• Heightened stigma around help-seeking• National and/or state exam requirements• Significantly higher tuition costs • Others?

Program Characteristics

• Program structure• Key contacts vs. program allies• Student advocate vs. advocate for access

Expanding the College Model

• Develop a mutual understanding of both program specific requirements and the accommodation process

• Implement an interactive process to address individual and programmatic barriers

Goals

1. Identify and understand unique characteristics

oReview each program’s website

oConduct a Structured InterviewoReview technical

standards

oRequest a tour

Key Strategies

2. Clarify roles and responsibilitieso Identify program-specific key contacts

o Identify and nurture allies

Key Strategies

3. Use information from the Structured Interview to develop a partnership strategy

o Design action steps to move from reactive to

proactive approaches

o Confirm plan with the program

Key Strategies

4. Identify unique accommodation processes and procedures

o Clarify program Technical Standards

o Determine essential course requirements

o Identify an accommodation process for internships and clinicals

o Understand processes for licensing boards

 

Key Strategies

5. Initiate faculty engagement and partnerships

o Understand program-specific culture and expectations

o Serve as a program access consultant

o Maintain proactive engagement

o Introduce & consult on Universal Design/Inclusive Learning

Key Strategies

6. Develop program specific disability information and resources for the program

o Provide template of

information to be used

in program specific

materials

Key Strategies

7. Provide ongoing training opportunities

o Invite key contacts/allies to the disability

office’s sponsored trainings and events

o Provide direct, program-specific training to staff, faculty and students

o Attend OrientationSessions

Key Strategies

8. Update information on a regular basis

oBiennial meetings to update interview questions

oRegular check-in to offer servicesoContinue to review and revise roles and

responsibilitieso Yearly review of documents, contact list, and

resources

Key Strategies

Tool

• Regularly update and review statements

Tool

• Disability Resource Center VideosoGeneral AudienceoHealth Science/Medical School

Additional Tools

• Contact List

Additional Tools

• Program specific websites & organizations

o For Example: School of NursingoMinnesota Board of NursingoNational Council of State Boards of NursingoAmerican Association of Colleges of NursingoExceptional NurseoNational Organization of Nurses with Disabilities

Additional Tools

• Specific processes for accommodations clearly identified and published to ensure consistency in service delivery

Additional Tools

• Customized Training

Additional Tools

Direct:

•Improves access for all students

•Provides tools for proactive accommodations

•Enhances trust, expands collaboration

•Supports continuity during faculty/staff transition

•Strengthens rapport with students

Benefits

Indirect:

•Renewed professional satisfaction

•Increased professional development and participation

•Enhanced credibility with students and faculty

•Strengthened confidentiality for students

Benefits

• Campus Characteristics - Opportunities and Challengeso Individual reflectiono Pair/shareoReport out/discussion

• Where to Begin?oWhat is already in motion? oWhat needs to be put in place?oDiscussion

Considerations for your Campus

• What are two characteristics of your campus that would support implementation of the College Model?

• What are two challenges you may face when applying the College Model on your campus?

Considerations for your Campus

1. Identify and understand unique characteristics

2. Use information from the Structured Interview

3. Clarify roles and responsibilities

4. Identify unique accommodation processes

5. Initiate faculty engagement and partnerships

6. Develop program specific info/resources

7. Provide ongoing training opportunities

8. Update information on a regular basis

1. Which strategies are already in place?

2. Which strategies need to be implemented?

Questions?Questions?

Disability Resource Center180 McNamara Alumni Center200 Oak Street SEMinneapolis, MN 55455

612-626-1333 (V/TTY)drc@umn.edu