EDAC200 Communication and Language Skills

10 cp

This unit aims to provide an understanding of the processes involved in using different modes of communication. The use of language and its impact on communication and learning will be explored, with particular reference to people with diverse learning and/or communication needs. An awareness of barriers to communication will be developed through investigation of issues and processes in communication. This awareness, acquired through research and discussion, will assist in developing and implementing communication strategies and systems.

 

EDAC202 Employment Issues and Practice

10 cp

The unit aims firstly, to enable students to recognise that in order for people with disabilities to access the usual range of lifestyle options, including employment, a range of developmental and personal programs is necessary. Secondly, the unit seeks to raise awareness of the potential of individuals, and of the range of supportive/best practices necessary for successful occupational outcomes. The unit encourages critical evaluation of both traditional and more recently conceived employment services. Knowledge of employment options and issues will enable students to advocate with, or on behalf of, people with disabilities and to promote the right to work.

 

EDAC203 Families, Children and Transitions

10 cp
Prerequisites EDFD122 Human Growth and Development

Building on concepts introduced in the unit Human Growth and Development, this unit explores in greater depth the nature of family life including the broad definition of family, with particular reference to families in which there is a member with a disability. Development across the lifespan is a focus particularly on the transitions that adults go through in their lives and the effects of the usual transitions including the ageing process. This unit also extends the skills of students in critically evaluating relevant literature and in reflection.

 

EDAC209 Positive Behaviour Approaches

10 cp
Prerequisites EDAC107 Understanding Behaviour

This unit aims to expand knowledge and further develop skills following from the unit, Understanding Behaviour. There will be an emphasis on developing an advanced understanding of behaviour within the context of the educative and communicative functions of behaviour. Students will develop critical analysis skills in the assessment, implementation and review of behaviour programs. They will develop an awareness of and ability to implement positive approaches to behaviour change, as well as direct behaviour intervention strategies. They will also have the opportunity to apply skills learnt in practical settings.

 

EDAC213 Strategic Management of Resources

10 cp
Prerequisites EDAC112 Management in Community Settings

Management can be seen in terms of the organisation and implementation of effective resources, technology and operations to achieve desired goals. However it is also important for managers to be aware of the interface between the external environment and the organisation, particularly the relationship between policies, planning and social and political change. This unit aims to develop knowledge and skills that will enable graduates to participate in the management of human and financial resources in community services. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between effective resources management and desirable service outcomes for all stakeholders.

 

EDAC214 Professional Communication and Guidance

10 cp
Prerequisites EDFD122 Human Growth and Development

This unit builds on knowledge of communication theory and practice developed in the Human Relationship Skills unit. Students will use those skills and further develop skills which may be applied in basic guidance situations with particular reference to the field of disability. The unit’s main emphasis is on counselling individuals with a focus of working on problems and the problematic skills that sustain them, in the context of good counselling relationships.

 

EDAC216 Facilitating and Evaluating Learning in Community Settings

10 cp
Prerequisites EDAC127 Planning Learning with Individuals

This unit emphasises the practical applications of learning and programming theory in a disability context. Facilitating and evaluating learning is a continuous process of planning and is often considered to be the key to successful community inclusive support. When teaching programs are developed and implemented effectively they can support development of an individual’s needs and desires across all life’s domains. There is a focus in this unit on instructional technology, holistic and meaningful assessment, data collection methods and review and monitoring of individual education programs. Students will develop the ability to effectively develop, implement and evaluate individual education programs, which are tailored to the individual.

 

EDAC218 Supporting Social Relationships

10 cp
Prerequisites EDFD122 Human Growth and Development

The unit will provide students with knowledge of theories of socialisation and psychological perspectives that account for the acquisition of social skills and formation of social and sexual identity. This will enable students to identify the components needed for the development of friendships, relationships and sexuality. Reflection by the student on their development of human relations skills and the individual’s human relationships journey will need to be encouraged in the delivery of the unit. In addition, reflection on values and attitudes towards people with disability meeting their individual capacity to have fulfilling relationships is included in the unit design. Challenges for service delivery in promoting human relationships skills are addressed in terms of policy, best work practice and referrals/resources. Issues for people with a disability developing their human relationships and sexuality, including issues of vulnerability with the need for self-determination, are covered with an emphasis on solutions and strategies.

 

EDAC219 Advocacy, Power and Empowerment

10 cp
Prerequisites EDAC110 Introduction to Habilitation

This unit will assist students to understand the role and importance of advocacy in the lives of people with disabilities. Various forms of advocacy will be identified and critiqued, and students will actively research the utility of different sorts of advocacy. Concepts of power and empowerment will be examined, and their relevance to people with disabilities and their supporters will be addressed. A major focus of this unit is on assisting students to gain a practical understanding of advocacy and empowerment for and by people with disabilities.

 

EDAC220 Social Justice, Legal and Policy Issues

10 cp
Prerequisites EDAC110 Introduction to Habilitation and EDAC301 Attitudes and Inclusion

Social justice involves actions that work towards ensuring that all members of society and treated fairly and justly. This is a particularly pertinent issue for people with disabilities who frequently have their rights denied and difficulty in receiving the supports they require to participate on an equal level in society. This unit explores the concept of social justice, ways in which the human rights movement has led to both social and legislative change and major ways in which the rights of individuals; particularly those with a disability have been denied.

 

EDAC221 Education for Field Based Investigations

10 cp
Prerequisites EDAC128 Education for Professional Reflection and Mentoring

This unit explores quantitative and qualitative approaches used in field-based investigations/research in the area of habilitation. The unit will examine the role of the professional in projects/research and develop understanding of the relevance of research. It also examines ways in which professionals can participate and collaborate in the process. Students will be involved in a project or investigation that is negotiated with their placement agency. This will enable students and mentors to work collaboratively during the field-based placement on a project/investigation that utilises quantitative and/or qualitative methods to reinforce mutual benefit to the organisation, student and consumers.

 

EDAC223 Instructional Delivery in Community Settings

10 cp

This unit follows on from the unit Person Centred Planning and Inclusive Learning and develops students' skills at the second level of intervention: that is, the implementation and evaluation of systematic instruction for development, maintenance and generalization of skills.

Major thrusts of contemporary services for people with disabilities are built on an understanding the all individuals continue to grow and develop across the lifespan. If people with disabilities are to take their rightful place as valued members of society, they must be afforded the opportunity for continual growth and development. This is the foundation of the developmental model which underpins contemporary service provision. As such professionals providing supports to people with disabilities in a wide range of settings must possess the necessary skills to facilitate the development of skills and competencies.

 

EDAC224 Understanding Behaviours and Disability

10 cp

All individuals utilise an extraordinary range of behaviours in their day-to-day life and deal with the myriad of situations that confront them. Individuals also interpret and respond to the behaviours of others (often in an attempt to influence the behaviours of the other individual).

When individuals become marginalised their behaviours are often scrutinised and they become labelled as “problem individuals”, “behaviour problems” or “people with challenging behaviours”. The behaviours they display are often interpreted as deficits within the person that must be corrected. Contemporary approaches to understanding behaviour however view behaviour in a holistic framework that considers the interaction’s individual characteristics, environmental and social factors on an individual. It is through understanding the interaction of the various influences that professionals can arrange supports that enhance and facilitate the individual’s quality of life.

This unit examines behaviour and the framework within which behaviour has been historically understood and contemporary frameworks for understanding behaviour.

This unit’s topics will be expanded further in the unit positive behaviour approaches and linked closely with the units person-centred planning and inclusive learning and instructional delivery in community settings.

 

EDAC225 Family Studies and Disability

10 cp

Building on concepts introduced in the unit EDFD127 Contexts for Learning and Development, such as processes of socialisation, this unit explores in greater depth the nature of family life, with particular reference to families in which there is a member with a disability. This unit is based upon the notion of knowledge as a construction. Students will be encouraged to explore personal constructions of knowledge about families and disability as well as exploring both the constructions of others, including parents and siblings, and theoretical constructions. Students will be encouraged to draw upon their own understandings and experience as well as to undertake individual/group work to generate working solutions to key issues.

 

EDAC226 Employment Support Issues and Practice

10 cp

The unit aims firstly, to enable students to recognise that in order for people with a disability to access the usual range of lifestyle options, including employment, a range of developmental and personal programs is necessary. Secondly, the unit seeks to raise awareness of the potential of individuals, and of the range of supportive, educative and best practices necessary for successful occupational outcomes. The unit encourages critical evaluation of both traditional and more recently conceived employment services. Knowledge of employment options and issues will enable students to advocate with, or on behalf of, people with a disability and to promote the right to work.

 

EDAC227 Implementing Person Centred Supports

10 cp

This unit is the second in a sequence of three professional practice studies units. It is field-based learning which explores qualitative approaches used in the area of community inclusive education. The unit will examine the role of the professional in person-centred projects and develop understanding of the relevance of research. Also examined will be ways in which professionals can participate and collaborate in the process.

 

EDAC228 Case Work and Management in Community Settings

10 cp

Frequently management is seen in terms of organisation, supervision and implementation. It usually relates to the responsibilities one has for staff, resources and operations. These skills are critical at certain levels of management.

However as it stands, this is a fairly restricted view, in that it does not acknowledge the most crucial, and often the most difficult aspect of effective management, and that is the management of oneself. It is said that 'professionals' in the field are not defined as people who hold certain academic qualifications or have a set number of years of experience, but that they are defined by the way in which they behave on the job. Therefore, this unit will primarily address self management skills in the context of organisations and human services. It aims to provide the foundation skills for effective management. Secondly, the unit will focus on policy, practices and issues in ‘case management’ which is the current service delivery approach common to many government funded programs in Australia and including disability and mental health and aged services.