Field and study trips

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Fieldwork and other off-campus study activities are an essential part of many courses. It is important that all students, including those with disabilities, are able to access and learn from these activities – but providing an inclusive learning experience is a significant challenge for academic staff.

Thorough planning and preparation is essential. Tutors should work with disabled students undertaking field trips to

assess the learning environment and the activities that will take place – undertake an audit of the venue
consider the barriers likely to exist
devise and agree reasonable adjustments to enable participation
if necessary, modify selected fieldwork activities where suitable adjustments cannot be made
if necessary, agree on any accessible alternatives (e.g. library or laboratory exercises, virtual fieldwork, a different location).

A video of the site may help when assessing the venue. At this stage you should also consider how to deal with medical or other emergency situations on the field trip and ensure you know about any health and safety requirements.

The Geography Discipline Network, based at the University of Gloucester, has produced an introductory guide 'Issues in providing learning support for disabled students undertaking fieldwork and related activities', which suggests some approaches that could be used to provide access to field-based activities for disabled students. There is also an influential set of web-based guides on developing an inclusive fieldwork curriculum that is applicable beyond the original subjects of geography and environmental sciences: Learning Support for Students undertaking Fieldwork and Related Activities for

blind or visually impaired students
deaf or hard of hearing students
students with hidden disabilities or dyslexia
students with mental health difficulties
students with mobility impairments.