Challenges of attachment programme on student trainees’ ability to provide rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities in University of Jos, Nigeria

Introduction: The study investigated the challenges of attachment on student trainees’ ability to provide rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities in University of Jos, Nigeria. Purpose: The study was to find out the challenges student trainees faced during attachment. Five research questions were set to guide the study. Methodology: The study was descriptive in nature. The population of the study involved all the one hundred and fifty final year rehabilitation sciences students from University of Jos on attachment in schools and rehabilitation centres in Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna States. Purposive sampling was employed for the study.  Questionnaire was used to collect the data. Qualitative method was used to analyze the data collected in form of statements, while simple percentage was employed to analyze the participants’ responses in tabular form. Results: The findings showed that most of the trainees cannot define, identify and state the services for persons with learning disabilities, visual impairment, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy and autism. Most trainees complained of lack of finance, accommodation and attention during attachment as well as difficulty getting good stations for the attachment. Conclusion/Recommendation: Based on these findings, the researcher concluded that majority of the trainees did not gain much from the programme. It was recommended that pragmatic steps be taken to improve it. Trainees should be given financial assistance and accommodation during attachment programme. The schools and centres of attachment should be equipped to give trainees knowledge and practical skills to work with persons with disabilities effectively.