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: C4329 - Certificate IV in Disability

Course Contact : Renee Costa

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0886

Course Contact Email:renee.costa@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Mary Collins, Teacher Disability and Community Services Work Programs, (03) 99254598, mary.collins@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, 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 your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course you will learn about the history and context of the disability services sector, the current services for people with disabilities, and how you will provide support in the modern disability service system in Australia. The classroom sessions will include foundation knowledge about the nature of disability and a range of conditions and impairments which may affect participation in daily life, work with families and carers, community access and participation and the broader community and health services sectors. There will be individual and group activities and guest speakers from industry. The Certificate IV in Disability includes a field placement in a community disability agency of 200 hours across the whole program and the knowledge and skills you gain in this course will be further developed through the placement.


Teaching Schedule

Week Topic
1 Introduction to the course, schedule and assessment tasks
2 Disability - definitions, disability types and conditions
3 disability - definitions, disability types and conditions (cont)
4 Human development - an overview
5 Public holiday  - no session
6 The disability services sector - history and current context 
7 The disability services sector - person centred services
8 Communication - implications for people with disability and staff
9 Mid semester break - no session
10 Your work with families and carers
11 Community access and participation - around the city
12 Community and health services - other client needs 
13 Block field placement -week 1
14 Block field placement - week 2
15 Block field placement - week 3
16 Field placement review
17 Rights, needs and interests - final session for CHCDIS301C 
18 Public holiday - no session


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

During sessions you will be directed to relevant sources of information including the website of the Department of Human Services, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, the Australian government and other agencies and services who provide support to people with disabilities and their families and carers.


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 which focus on an understanding of theory - research and report, a case study and response, short answer questions and your field placement record. 
 


Assessment Tasks

 There are four assessment tasks for this course:

  1. Understanding theory - research and report.  You will undertake research into a condition or disability in which you have an interest and complete a report on the condition, its effects and how you could provide person centred support for a person with that condition.
  2. In-class group assessment - Case Study and response.  You will read a case study about a person with a disability and, working in small groups, develop responses showing how you would work in a person centred framework to provide support.
  3. Understanding theory - short answer questions based on the foundation knowledge about disability, the service sector and the roles that disability support worker will have.
  4. Field Placement - daily interactions record for the block field placement in semester 1. 


Assessment Matrix

A detailed assessment matrix will be available from the course teacher.

Other Information

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of 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 and classes 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 from your 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 found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7  
Student progress
Monitoring student 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://rmit.edu.au/browse;IDvj2g89cve4uj1  
Special Consideration Policy
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment buy the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://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 website: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n  
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview