Practicum Project: Intake Survey and Results
During my practicum experience with Disability Access at Dalton State University (DSU), I had the opportunity to assist many students with obtaining accommodations and making referrals to other programs available to them on campus (Competency 2, 3 & 6; Diversity, Social Justice, and Engagement).
One area of need that was noted throughout my time there, was that if the intake process was more streamlined, or easier, students would be able to receive accommodations faster. This in turn, has a greater liklihood of positively affecting their end of semester grades, as it did for my client. Additionally, this speedier contact with the Disability Access department could also be the gateway to receiving other needed services, such as tutoring and mental health counseling, of which we made frequent referrals.
With the assistance and approval of my practicum instructor, I designed a simple, online survey to be sent out to all students, via their DSU email, who had started receiving services with us that school year (Competency 7; Assess). The survey looks at several things, including how easy it was for them to make their initial appointment and how likely they are to continue using our services. Reminders to participate in the online survey were sent out several times by email, in order to increase survey participation (Competency 1; Professionalism).
Research (Competency 4; Research) was done on best practices for survey methods to ensure that our survey could have a favorable participation rate. Research indicated that sending out reminder emails increased participation, but not to the extent of the initial contact. Research also indicated that using an online platform for the survey, was shown to increase participation compared to mail surveys. This is especially true for our target population.
Survey results indicated that overall, students had positive experiences obtaining services with us. However, there are some things that could be done to reduce the time it takes between the initial appointment and when the student starts receiving accommdodations. These things include making the students aware of what documentation they need to bring with them to the initial appointment and offering an online appointment scheduling platform.
One limitation to survey participation may have been that the survey was sent out around the end of the semester. Students who may have normally reponded and provided helpful information, may not have in order to spend more time studying for finals or packing up their dorms.
Following the evaluation of the results of our survey, I created a SMART Goals Plan with recommendations for the director of Disability Access and future interns to follow. This is in order to help implement the findings of the survey effectively and to ensure that the students receive the changes they indicated that they needed to our current policies and program. (Competency 5, 8 & 9; Policy, Intervene, and Evaluate).