Facilitating Inclusion - Disability Studies

Course Outline
The Higher Diploma in Facilitating Inclusion (Disability Studies) (HDFIDS) is a unique course and a progression route for graduates of the very popular part-time Diploma in Disability Studies (DDS) as well as the Diploma in Autism Studies. It is an opportunity for people working in the area of disability to enhance their knowledge and skills to enable them to support the fuller participation of people with disabilities in education, training, work and leisure. It incorporates the twin aims of lifelong learning – active citizenship and employability. The course includes an introduction to sign language, inclusive media and the skills required to successfully design a course that maximises the inclusion of people with disabilities. It also looks at the social context of mental health and autism. Accessibility to sport and leisure, the creative arts and culture also form part of this course and you'll be encouraged to contribute constructively to the ongoing debate around disability and inclusion locally, nationally and internationally.

The HDFIDS is unique: there are no similar programmes currently on offer in Ireland. It is a natural progression route for graduates of the Diploma in Disability Studies (and other courses) as well as an opportunity for anyone working in the area of disability to improve their knowledge and skills. The course also gives a progression route to a Masters in Social Science (Disability Studies).

One of our students has recently secured a post as a community employment supervisor, training 31 people on CE schemes. She observed that most of the interview focused on inclusion and feels that embarking on the HDFIDS and the DDS contributed to her getting this position. She also feels the course helps her not only in her role as supervisor and trainer but also in her work with the older people many of whom have a disability.

Placement or Study Abroad Information
While students come from different part of Munster to attend the HDFIDS, one student is commuting from Spain and she has commented that embarking on HDFIDS: "has deeply affected the way I carry out my job. I am an EFL (English Foreign Language) teacher here in Madrid, and I primarily teach people from the organisation ONCE (National Council for the Blind). It has proved hugely challenging adapting text books and my own professional training as a teacher to this post". She believes that her experience on the course has played a huge part in her professional development.

Skills and Careers Information
The aim of this programme is to provide participants with the skills, understanding, awareness and knowledge to be able to support the fuller participation of people with disabilities in education, training, work and leisure, and to be able to contribute constructively to the ongoing debates around disability and inclusion, locally, nationally and internationally.

On successful completion of the Certificate in Facilitating Inclusion (Disability Studies), students should be able to:

Demonstrate and critically appraise the social construction of disability and exclusion in a historical and contemporary context.

Apply theories of disability to critically examine inclusive policies and practices.

Demonstrate competence in Irish Sign Language and apply a range of skills and techniques for effective communication with people who are deaf, deaf blind.

Identify a range of mobility and living skills applicable to people who are blind or vision impaired.

Critically assess the impact that social and environmental factors can have on people who are blind or vision impaired
Identify and evaluate key developments in assistive technology.

Critically assess the impact of social and environmental factors on mental health in a historical and contemporary context.

Identify effective, holistic approaches to dealing with mental health issues.

On successful completion of the Certificate in Facilitating Inclusion (Disability Studies), students should be able to:

Conduct needs assessments, design training materials and enact instructional methodologies cognisant of the diverse learning needs of people with disabilities.

Critically assess the implications of policies and practices on the ability of people with disabilities to fully participate in society.

Evaluate the role of sport and leisure activities in enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.

Identify and evaluate measures to promote inclusion in sports and leisure activities.

Appraise the role and significance of creative arts in promoting social inclusion.

Critically evaluate the social and environmental factors affecting the lives of people with disabilities.

Programme Structure;

Year 1: Students complete 30 credits as follows;

AD5832: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Inclusion (Disability Studies) (10 credits)

AD5835: The Social Context of Mental Health (5 credits)

AD5836: Autism: The Social Context (5 credits)

AD5847: Disability, the Arts and Creative Expression (5 credits)

AD5848: Accessibility and Universal Design (5 credits)

Candidates who successfully complete Year 1 may opt not to proceed to Year 2 and may exit the programme with a Certificate in Facilitating Inclusion (Disability Studies)

Year 2: Students will complete 30 credits as follows;

AD5833: Introduction to Deaf, Deaf Blind, Vision Impaired Awareness and Communication (5 credits)

AD5834: Introduction to Assistive Technologies (5 credits)

AD5837: Design, Training and Inclusion (10 credits)

AD5838: Dis/ability and Development: A focus on the Global South (5 credits)

AD5839: Disability, Sport and Leisure (5 credits)

Requirements
Applications will be considered based on the following combined elements: academic performance; motivation, commitment, and suitability; certified work-related experience and initiative.

Candidates must hold a minimum Level 7 qualification with at least a second-class honours grade 1 in a relevant discipline in the areas of Humanities, Social Sciences, or Health Care and
Candidates must have completed at least 420 hours of certified work-related experience in the areas of Disability/ Inclusion (whether in a professional or voluntary, community or advocate capacity) and a Statement of Interest, to be included with the application.
Statement of Interest, please outline the following:

Describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Disability/Inclusion/ related experience, paid or voluntary, including (total hours) and relevant student placements, if applicable (total hours). In addition, you may include a statement about your own lived experience where applicable.

Please list newest to oldest and specify the duties and responsibilities for each position whether it is: Voluntary/Paid. Part-time/Full-time.

In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning, and professional training relevant to this programme.

'Statement of Interest' must be signed by your manager or supervisor.

Candidates may be required to attend for interview. Shortlisting may apply.

CLOSING DATE 26 August 2022

How Do I Apply
Applicants need to be aware of the IT student checklist below before applying:

You will need access to a laptop or desktop computer running a modern supported operating system with all software updates.
Some of UCC's services (e.g. the Canvas Virtual Learning Environment) link to an external site and also have mobile apps for iOS and Android Devices that you may wish to use as part of your studies. However, we recommend using your desktop web browser for submission of assessments.

You should always use the most current version of your preferred browser. In general, we recommend the Chrome Web browser (Important Note: Internet Explorer will not work with Canvas).
We recommend a reliable broadband connection with at least 2Mbps or more.

You will require an Office suite of software (Microsoft Office or equivalent) and a PDF reader. You should always use the latest version of this software. All UCC students will have access to Office 365 which includes software such as Word/Excel/Powerpoint etc. once registered.

To Apply for this course please follow the steps below:

When you log into the Application Portal:

Click Apply Online

Select Start a new Adult & Continuing Education Application

On the 2nd tab Academic Level

Select the following options:

Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses
Academic Programme: The course title you are applying for.

During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:

Birth Cert or Passport
Passport Photograph
Statement of Interest is available during application to download and attach to the application.
English Language Test Report [if applicable]
50% of the fees will also be required to complete your application.

2 years part-time

VENUE
Online - Year 1
Blended Approach - Year 2
Online lectures with in person workshops.

Online - the course will be on either Monday/Friday evenings with some Saturdays.