Course Title: Work effectively with people with a disability

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: HWSS5962C

Course Title: Work effectively with people with a disability

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: Bundoora Campus

Program: C4329 - Certificate IV in Disability

Course Contact : Anthony Graham

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4411

Course Contact Email:anthony.graham@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Mary Collins - Teacher, Disability Work, Oncampus programs (03) 99254598, mary.collins@rmit.edu.au  

Maura Lynch - Teacher, Disability Work -Industry programs (03) 99254577, maura.lynch@rmit.edu.au  

Nominal Hours: 50

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Not applicable

Course Description

This course describes the knowledge and skills required as an introduction to working and communicating with people with a disability.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCDIS301C Work effectively with people with a disability

Element:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the delivery of quality services for people with disabilities

Performance Criteria:

1.1  Demonstrate understanding of key issues facing people with disabilities and their carers

1.2 Work with understanding of the context of policy, regualtory, legislative and legal requiremehts as they apply to the area of disability work

1.3 Demonstrate commitment to access and equity principles

1.4 Take into account personal values and attitudes regarding disability when planning and undertaking work with people with disabilities

1.5 Demonstrate understanding of different impacts on clients of specific disabilities, including acquired and devleopmental disabilities  

Element:

2. Communicate effectively with people with a disability

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify specific communication needs of people with a disability including, where appropriate:
• identifying and using techniques, devices and aids specific to each person with a disability
• translation and language interpreters
• cultural interpreters
• referral to specialists
2.2 Identify areas of mistrust or conflict that may require conflict resolution
2.3 Identify need to include additional people including trusted friends, case workers, family members or adults
2.4 Select from a range of appropriate communication strategies and employ to:
• establish rapport
• exchange information
• facilitate resolution of issues
• defuse potentially difficult situations
2.5 Apply effective communication where appropriate to provide a brief intervention
2.6 Give feedback and advice in a way which reflects current identified good practice
2.7 Show due regard to individual differences, needs and rights in communicating with clients and colleagues
2.8 Communicate referrals to other staff, manager or specialist services as appropriate to ensure duty of care responsibilities are met in situations where break downs in communication occur
 

Element:

3. Demonstrate the capacity to support rights, interests and needs of people with disabilities

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Demonstrate understanding of strategies that assist people with disabilities to exercise their rights and independence
3.2 Acknowledge different client requirements and adapt approach to address specific requirements of each person, using positive practices in all interactions with people with disabilities
3.3 Comply with legal responsibilities and duty of care
3.4 Report situations that may pose health or safety issues according to organisation procedures
3.5 Apply different models for working in the sector as required to meet client needs
 

Element:

4. Demonstrate the capacity to provide support across a range of disability types

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Apply fundamental knowledge of physical and psychological stages of human development
4.2 Apply fundamental knowledge of factors that may enhance or inhibit human development
4.3 Demonstrate understanding of a range of support practices for people with an intellectual disability, sensory disability, neurological impairment, acquired brain injury, physical disability or developmental delay
4.4 Demonstrate understanding and application of support practices for a range of types of disability
 

Element:

5. Respond to situations of risk or potential risk to people with disabilities

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Identify and respond to situations of risk and report to appropriate people
5.2 Report uncharacteristic behaviours and behaviours of concern
5.3 Report situations of risk which may adversely effect the health of people with disabilities
5.4 Identify indications of possible abuse and/or neglect and report according to organisation policy and protocol
 

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course you will participate in classroom sessions focussed on foundation knowledge about the nature of disability, the issues and effects on the individual and their families, and strategies to maximise individual independence and self management.  There will be individual and group work in class, and guest speakers are sought from industry.  The Certificate IV in Disability includes a field placement in a community disability service of 200 hours across the whole program and the knowledge and skills you gain in this course will be developed further during the placement.


Teaching Schedule

This course will be delivered in Semester 1. The teaching schedule below outlines the topics for each week.

Week                                               Topics 
1 Course introduction, oveview and links with the field, Assessment Tasks
2 Disability - types of conditions, definitions, effects and support strategies
3 Disability - types of conditions, definitions, effects and support strategies (cont.)
4 The disability services sector - history and context, models of service, legislation
5 Disability Services - values, principles and practices, NDIS/NDIA
6  Communication - an overview of the links with a range of disabilities
7  Working with families and carers - providing support
8  Community access and participation - how accessible is our city?
9 Working with other services - health, allied health, education and justice sectors
10  Field Placement preparation
11  Rights, needs and interests of people with disabilities - review of the unit.
12  Field placement
13  Field placement


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Duirng sessions you  will be directed to government, non-goverment and industry sources of information such as the Department of Human Services website which includes current legislative and policy documents relevant to particular topics. 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include a number of assessment tasks.


Assessment Tasks

There are four assessment tasks for this course.

  1. Research and Report:  you will undertake research into a particular disability type or condition considering its features, the effects and issues for an individual with that disability, and the strategies and supports that disability  workers provide for the people they support.    
  2. Case Study: you will use the knowledge gained via the classroom sessions, reading and your task 1 research to respond to a case study about a person with a complex disability.  This will include suggesting  how a person-centred support plan may look based on the needs, interests and circumstances of the person.
  3. Student Activity: as part of the the student group you will develop a checklist of features such as physical access, information provision, noise, lighting, transport.  Small groups of students will then visit venues and locations in the central business district of Melbourne and use the checklist to assess those venues or locations for accessibility for people with a disability
  4. Field Placement: Participation in the daily acitivities of an disability service agency -  as part of the overall program field placement you will demonstrate your skills in working effectively with people with a disability.


Assessment Matrix

A detailed assessment matrix is available from the course teacher.

Other Information


Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet:.   You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Attendance:   It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback: You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can be found at:http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress:   Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. The Student progress policy can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1
 

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission):  All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w


Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:   RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity Web site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview