Placement stories

Laura Smales is studying Community and Youth Studies at the University of Reading. She undertook a placement at The Open University Summer School.

I had just completed my first year of Community and Youth studies at Reading University. Workable put me forward for the post of Assistant to Students with Special Requirements at The Open University Summer School. My first duty was to accept and check that all special equipment, which ranged from bath mats to wheelchairs, was available as requested for each student, based on a register of students and needs. New students arrived on Saturdays for a week of intense teaching. It was vital that once I had identified my students, all necessary arrangements and resources were available to them quickly, discreetly and with minimum fuss.

In order to get students to the right place at the right time, I drove the campus transport - a people carrier that carried seven. This was one of the biggest physical challenges to me, as lectures for the different courses began and finished at various times, were based in numerous departments and there were more than seven students. After a few trial runs I compiled a log of students and lecture times to ensure that everyone got to their relevant lecture and lunch in good time."

I found the work to be totally fulfilling and satisfying, and enjoyed encouragement and support from both staff and students. The disabilities I encountered included students waiting for a heart transplant, overcoming deafness, blindness, limited mobility, and muscle weakness. They were all determined to complete their courses to the full, even taking part in the karaoke and discos held in the evening.

On one occasion, I needed to get an electric scooter to a student at the other side of the campus. The only way was to ride it over and I encountered the strange feeling of people looking at me pityingly. As a young student it was a rare insight into how others see you and how vulnerable you feel. It also brought home to me just how inaccessible kerbs can be.

This has been one of most rewarding positions I have ever had. I have become much more aware that it is the environment which is disabling rather than the person. This experience has been invaluable to me in developing my awareness and I know I will go on to use the knowledge I acquired on this placement in my career.