Program Overview

Diploma in Disability and Community Practice

The Diploma in Disability and Community Practice is a transformative program that empowers students to champion human rights and work collaboratively to promote access, inclusion, and equity. This diploma provides students with the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people with disabilities.

Overview

The program articulates with the 2-year ADDCP Associate Degree in Disability and Community Practice, the 3-year BDCI Bachelor of Disability and Community Inclusion, and the 4-year BDDE Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education, providing students with further options to extend their studies and increase their skills, knowledge, and employability.

Course Offerings

The diploma is offered in two locations:

• Bedford Park: Mode of delivery is in-person, with a study load of full-time and part-time, and is available for domestic and onshore international students.
• Flinders: Mode of delivery is online, with a study load of full-time and part-time, and is available for domestic students.

Student Guidance

A study planner is available to help students decide what topics to study and when. The program of study overview requires students to complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.

Program of Study

The program consists of 36 units, with the following topics:

Year 1 - Core Topics

• DSRS1201: Perspectives on Disability (4.5 units)
• DSRS1202: Disability Across the Life Course (4.5 units)
• DSRS1211: Introduction to Disability and Neurodiversity (4.5 units)
• DSRS1215: Introduction to Communication Diversity and Support Needs (4.5 units)
• DSRS1217: The Disability Service Landscape (4.5 units)
• DSRS1218: Critical Issues in Disability (4.5 units)
• HLTH1010: Research and Study Skills 1 (4.5 units)

Year 1 - Option Topics

• Select 4.5 units from the following:
  • EDUC1224: Foundations of Inclusive Education (4.5 units)
  • GOVT1001: Exploring Fundamentals of Public Policy (4.5 units)
  • HLTH1306: Understanding Health, Illness, and Health and Social Care in Australia (4.5 units)
  • INDG1001: Race and Representation: Indigenous Identities (4.5 units)
  • INNO1001: Innovative and Creative Thinking: Recognising Opportunities (4.5 units)
  • INNO1004: Creative Thinking and Problem Solving: Finding and Framing Problems Worth Solving (4.5 units)
  • PSYC1108: The Psychology of Surviving and Thriving (4.5 units)
  • SOCI1010: Sociology of Everyday Life (4.5 units)
  • WMST1001: Sex, Gender and Identities in Australia (4.5 units)

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Aims

The Diploma of Disability and Community Practice aims to promote the rights of people with disability to inclusive lives and provide students with work-relevant skills and knowledge that can be applied in a wide range of contexts in disability, health, and human services fields.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Articulate and activate human rights in the lives of people with disability
2. Work in alliance with people with disability, their families, and advocates to promote inclusion and quality in life
3. Promote the physical and emotional well-being of people with disability
4. Use advocacy, negotiation, and person-centred planning skills to facilitate community inclusion with and for people with disability

Student Progression Rules

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within two consecutive years may constitute evidence of not meeting academic requirements for the purposes of the University's Student Progress Policy.

Qualification Title

Diploma in Disability and Community Practice

Associations

The diploma is associated with the following courses:

• ADDCP Associate Degree in Disability and Community Practice
• BDCI Bachelor of Disability and Community Inclusion
• BDDE Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education

College and Unit Value

The diploma is offered by the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and has a unit value of 36.

Course Type and Level of Study

The diploma is a sub-bachelor course with an AQF level of 5.

Standard Full-Time Duration and Maximum Time Allowed

The standard full-time duration is 1 year, and the maximum time allowed is 2 years.