Course Title: Work effectively with people with a disability

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: HWSS5696C

Course Title: Work effectively with people with a disability

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4357 - Certificate IV in Community Services Work

Course Contact : Zaina Nehme

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4552

Course Contact Email:zainaindira.nehne@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

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, regulatory, legislative and legal requirements 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 developmental 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 competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

All courses and learning activities will be supported and complemented by RMIT’s learning management tool "Blackboard". Other essential learning activities will take place during the workshops, and you will also be required to undertake independent studies. Some of the learning activities that you will undertake are:

  • Class exercises
  • Demonstrations (role plays)
  • Observations
  • Group discussions
  • Class presentations
  • Case studies
  • Quizzes
  • Group activities


Teaching Schedule

Lesson
 Topic Content
1 Introduction to the course – overview and links with the work and field. Examples of agency and service types, - government and non-government sectors, accommodation, social and further education, case management and brokerage, recreation and leisure, employment
2 Disability Disability – definitions, examples, implications and effects, support needs and workers roles
3 What is Disability (cont.) • Principles and values,
• Services across the lifespan
Student activity – based on requirements for Assessment task 1. investigate and report on a set condition
4 The disability services sector • History and context
• Models of service delivery over the past 200 years
• Legislative frameworks,
• The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA),
• The disability system now and in the future.
 
5 The disability services sector • Values, principles and practices
• Person centred services – what does this mean in practice?
• Family centred views of services – where does this fit?
• holistic views of people, their lives and their needs
• how services are planned – keeping the client central to the processes
Student group activity: Scenario - John
 
6 Communication – links with range of disabilities • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), other tools and methods of communication
• The connection with human behaviour
Student activity – developing a Personal Communication Dictionary (PCD)
 
7 Assessment Task 1 – Guided class discussion • briefing your fellow students on the condition you researched.
8 Your work with families and carers and Community and Health services
 		 • How disability affects a family
• Grief and coping
• Providing positive support
• The intersection of other community services sectors, health and allied health and disability, justice, education
• Identifying what is needed and who can provide that service – referring on
 
9 Assessment Task 3: In-class group participative panel discussion. • How we meet the rights, needs and interests of people with a disability through effective communication and interactions.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed textbook required.


References


Other Resources

You will be provided with the resources and tools for learning in this course. This resources will also be available through Blackboard. You will also have access to the resources in the library at RMIT.


Overview of Assessment

There are three assessment tasks for this course. They assess students’ knowledge and skills in the theory and practice of disability services work, how disability may impact on the life of a person with a disability, the importance of effective communication and interactions, and the roles that support workers may have.


Assessment Tasks

For this course you will be required to complete the following assessment tasks:

Assessment Task 1: A set of questions focusing on the history and context of the disability services sector, and current theories, legislation and practices in supporting people with disabilities. 300 words per response.

Assessment Task 2: 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.

Assessment Task 3: In-class group activity. A participative discussion with guest panellists exploring the features of effective interactions and communication with people you support


Assessment Matrix

This program in delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, grades include:

CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did Not Submit for assessment

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