Policy #47: Specific Accommodations in Clinical Placements and Learning Environments

Specific Accommodations in Clinical Placements and Learning Environments

CiiAT is committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive, and accessible learning environment. Post-graduate student art therapists completing their coursework and clinical placements may require accommodations to meet the required instructional, DCCH, and supervision hours while still demonstrating professional competencies.

CiiAT recognizes that equitable access to placement sites and learning environments is crucial to student success. We will work collaboratively with students, faculty, and placement sites to establish accommodations that are respectful, reasonable, and sustainable, while supporting both student well-being and professional standards.

General Accommodation Guidelines

CiiAT supports students who require accommodations due to disability, medical needs, family responsibilities, or other protected grounds under the BC Human Rights Code. Accommodations will be designed to ensure students can meet all CATA and CRPO competencies, even if the format, schedule, or environment of their learning or placement is adapted.

Examples of general accommodations may include:

• Placement Site Selection:
  CiiAT administration will assist students in identifying and confirming placement sites that meet their accessibility needs. This may include verifying accessibility features (e.g., ramps, elevators, accessible washrooms), considering mobility requirements, or determining if a virtual placement at the Virtual Art Therapy Clinic (VATC) would be more suitable.
• Scheduling Accommodations:
• Placement or class schedules may be adjusted to support documented needs, such as:
  • Additional stretch breaks for chronic pain or fatigue
  • Longer breaks between client sessions for medical or personal care routines
  • Modified start and end times for client sessions in the clinical placement to accommodate travel or health needs
• Supervision Accommodations:
  In collaboration with CiiAT administration, students will be assigned to a virtual supervision group that best aligns with their accessibility and scheduling needs, where possible, within available supervision schedules. If a student’s accommodation documentation lists breaks as required, these can be discussed and arranged with the supervisor, provided that the quality and standards of supervision are upheld for all participants.
• Documentation of Competencies:
  Where accommodations are implemented, CiiAT will ensure students can still meet all professional competencies through alternative formats or environments, as appropriate.

All accommodations must be discussed, agreed upon, and finalized prior to the start of the student’s placement or course. Students must provide required accommodation documentation to CiiAT in advance to allow sufficient time for implementation.

Specific Accommodations for Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Individuals

CiiAT recognizes breastfeeding/chestfeeding as a protected ground under the BC Human Rights Code. Students who are breastfeeding or chestfeeding may require specific accommodations during their studies or clinical placements.

In addition to the general accommodations listed above, CiiAT will support breastfeeding/chestfeeding students in the following ways:

• Synchronous Classtime Accommodations:
  Students are permitted to breastfeed, chestfeed, or express milk during live virtual classes in a respectful manner that maintains a professional learning environment.
• Placement Site Selection:
  CiiAT administration will assist in identifying placement sites that support breastfeeding/chestfeeding needs. This may include confirming the availability of a private, comfortable, and appropriate area for expressing milk on-site, or considering a virtual placement at the Virtual Art Therapy Clinic as an alternative.
• Placement and Supervision Scheduling:
  Placement schedules may include additional or longer breaks between client sessions to accommodate breastfeeding or expressing milk. Supervision schedules will be arranged, where possible, to align with the student’s documented needs.

All breastfeeding/chestfeeding accommodations must also be discussed, agreed upon, and finalized before the official start of the placement or course.
CiiAT is committed to upholding the rights of breastfeeding and chestfeeding students and ensuring that they are not disadvantaged in any aspect of their academic or clinical training.