Facilitating Inclusion (Disability Studies) Higher Diploma

Program Overview

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Facilitating Inclusion [Disability Studies] - HDip

Course Fact File

Code	HDFIDS
Duration	2 years
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	HDip
NFQ Level	Level 8
NFQ Award Title	Major
Fees	€2,500 per academic year
Closing Date	29 August 2025
Next Intake	September 2025
Venue	Blended Approach - Online lectures with in person workshops.
Start Date	September 2025

Course Outline

The Higher Diploma in Facilitating Inclusion & Disability Studies (HDFIDS) is a two-year part-time Programme. It incorporates the twin aims of lifelong learning – active citizenship and employability. It offers participants a strong foundation in disability-related issues and facilitates the development of skills, understanding, awareness, and knowledge to better support the fuller participation of people with disabilities in education, training, employability, and leisure.

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 will be encouraged to contribute constructively to the ongoing debate around disability and inclusion locally, nationally, and internationally.

Modules

Year 1

• AD5832 Interdisciplinary Perspective on Inclusion (Disability Studies)
• AD5835 The Social Context of Mental Health
• AD5836 Autism: The Social Context
• AD5847 Disability, the Arts and Creative Expression
• AD5848 Accessibility and Universal Design

Year 2

• AD5833 Introduction to Deaf, Deaf Blind, Vision Impaired Awareness and Communication
• AD5834 Introduction to Assistive Technologies
• AD5837 Design, Training and Inclusion
• AD5838 Dis/ability and Development: A focus on the Global South
• AD5839 Disability, Sport and Leisure

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)

Course Practicalities

Assessment

The course is evaluated by continuous assessment through a combination of essays, reflective logs, a journal of learning, case study, oral presentation, in-class practice elements – sign language, and course design.

Who Teaches this Course

The teaching team together combines extensive academic expertise, practice experience, and lived expertise on disability and inclusion-related topics and contexts. Diversity in the classroom enhances learning by offering multiple perspectives and experiences on topics.

Venue

The course will be delivered online on either Monday/Friday evenings with occasional in-person workshops on Saturdays.

Why Choose This Course

The Higher Diploma in Facilitating Inclusion & Disability Studies (HDFIDS) is unique: there are no similar programmes currently available in Ireland. The Higher Diploma offers a natural progression route for graduates of the QQ1 Level 7 Diploma in Disability Studies, Diploma in Autism Studies (and other courses) as well as an opportunity for anyone working in disability in either a paid, voluntary, or caring capacity, to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

While students come from different parts of Ireland to attend the HDFIDS, it also attracts students from the international community. One student is from Spain. 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 textbooks and my own professional training as a teacher to this post”.

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 Diploma 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.

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.

Fees and Costs

€2,500 per academic year

How To Apply

Applicants need to be aware of the IT student checklist 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.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The Higher Diploma in Facilitating Inclusion & Disability Studies (HDFIDS) is a two-year part-time program designed for lifelong learning, focusing on active citizenship and employability. It provides a strong foundation in disability-related issues and develops skills, understanding, awareness, and knowledge to support the full participation of people with disabilities in education, training, employability, and leisure. The program includes an introduction to sign language, inclusive media, and the skills required to design inclusive courses. It also explores the social context of mental health and autism, accessibility to sport and leisure, the creative arts, and culture. Students are encouraged to contribute to the ongoing debate around disability and inclusion locally, nationally, and internationally.

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Outline:

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Year 1

• AD5832 Interdisciplinary Perspective on Inclusion (Disability Studies): This module provides a comprehensive overview of disability studies, exploring the social construction of disability, historical and contemporary perspectives, and critical analysis of inclusive policies and practices.
• AD5835 The Social Context of Mental Health: This module examines the social context of mental health, including historical and contemporary perspectives, the impact of social and environmental factors, and effective approaches to dealing with mental health issues.
• AD5836 Autism: The Social Context: This module focuses on the social context of autism, exploring the diverse experiences of individuals with autism, the impact of social and environmental factors, and effective strategies for supporting individuals with autism.

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Year 2

• AD5833 Introduction to Deaf, Deaf Blind, Vision Impaired Awareness and Communication: This module introduces students to the experiences of deaf, deaf blind, and vision-impaired individuals, focusing on communication strategies, sign language, and the development of effective communication skills.
• AD5834 Introduction to Assistive Technologies: This module explores the range of assistive technologies available to people with disabilities, examining their impact on daily life, education, employment, and leisure.
• AD5837 Design, Training and Inclusion: This module focuses on the design and delivery of inclusive training programs, exploring the principles of inclusive pedagogy, the development of accessible learning materials, and the creation of inclusive learning environments.
• AD5838 Dis/ability and Development: A focus on the Global South: This module examines the intersection of disability and development in the Global South, exploring the challenges faced by people with disabilities in developing countries, the impact of globalization on disability, and the role of international development organizations in promoting disability inclusion.

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Assessment:

The program is assessed through continuous assessment, including:

• Essays
• Reflective logs
• Journal of learning
• Case study
• Oral presentation
• In-class practice elements (sign language)
• Course design

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Teaching:

The teaching team combines extensive academic expertise, practice experience, and lived expertise on disability and inclusion-related topics and contexts. Diversity in the classroom enhances learning by offering multiple perspectives and experiences on topics. The course is delivered online on Monday/Friday evenings with occasional in-person workshops on Saturdays.

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Careers:

The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to support the full participation of people with disabilities in education, training, work, and leisure. Graduates can contribute to the ongoing debates around disability and inclusion locally, nationally, and internationally. Potential career paths include:

• Disability support worker
• Inclusive education teacher
• Accessibility consultant
• Disability advocate
• Policy analyst
• Researcher

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Other:

• The program is unique in Ireland, offering a natural progression route for graduates of the QQ1 Level 7 Diploma in Disability Studies, Diploma in Autism Studies, and other relevant courses.
• Graduates can progress into the QQ1 Level 9 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awareness for Health, Social Care and Education Professionals or the M Soc in Social Policy and Social Justice.
• The program attracts students from different parts of Ireland and the international community.
• One student who completed the program secured a post in UCC's Disability Support Service as an Employability Project Advisor.