Objectives
The course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to work as disability and rehabilitation professionals. It has a multidisciplinary focus, with contributions from special education, psychology, philosophy, sociology, health and rehabilitation. Learning outcomes Graduates are equipped to: * promote the physical and emotional well-being of people with disabilities; * teach functional skills such as social, communication and language, self-care and domestic, recreational, and employment skills; * apply research and evaluation skills relevant to disability and community rehabilitation; * utilise person centred planning; * develop and implement positive behavioural support plans; * provide case management services to people with disabilities; * provide counselling support to people with disabilities; * work with families and care-givers to enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities; * liaise and work with community services and other professionals to facilitate community inclusion; * facilitate self advocacy and/or negotiate on behalf of people with disabilities; * assist individuals with disabilities to access and maintain meaningful vocational experiences; * work independently or as part of a team.
Course description
The Bachelor of Disability and Community Rehabilitation is a multi-faceted program that addresses health, psychological and educational issues.
Its content is multi-disciplinary, with contributions from psychology, philosophy, sociology, health, rehabilitation and special education.
It will prepare you to provide lifestyle support to people with special needs, whilst also helping them to grow as individuals.
Theory and practice are closely interwoven to enable you to become an efficient and effective practitioner.
What will I study?
Refer to the program of study.
Why study Disability and Community Rehabilitation at Flinders?
The Bachelor of Disability and Community Rehabilitation at Flinders:
* is unique in Australia because it is specifically focused on disability and community rehabilitation needs
* will prepare you for a rewarding career that allows you make important differences in people's lives
* usually leads to job offers even before students graduate
* is multi-disciplinary in content, with contributions from psychology, philosophy, sociology, health, rehabilitation and special education
* allows you to develop specialist human service skills.
Career opportunities
What can I do with my Bachelor of Disability and Community Rehabilitation degree?
Study a language
Flinders also offers all students the opportunity to major in a language in conjunction with any undergraduate course. The Diploma in Language is designed to provide students with competence in a chosen language that adds greater portability to their qualifications. You will complete a total of 1 extra year of study and graduate with both your chosen degree and the Diploma in Language. You can apply for this at time of enrolment.
The Bachelor of Disability and Community Rehabilitation requires four years of full-time study or the equivalent part-time. The honours program may be completed in the fourth year as an alternative to the coursework program. The course is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Enrolment in the honours program may be offered to a student who meets certain academic criteria and subject to the School/Department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.
The course requires that by the end of the first year of study students will have undertaken a 40-hour voluntary placement in a relevant human service agency. A formal letter of confirmation from the agency for the 40 hours of voluntary placement must be produced as evidence. Students who have been employed in a disability or human service agency within the past 2 years may apply for credit for this requirement. A formal letter of confirmation of the employment will be required.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Bachelor of Disability and Community Rehabilitation, a student must complete 144 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study set out below.
The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purpose of the University's Policy on Student Progress.
First Year
Semester 1
DSRS1206
Health Issues and Disability
4.5
DSRS1209
Human Diversity
4.5
DSRS1210
Interpersonal and Group Skills
4.5
Electives *
4.5
Semester 2
DSRS1201
Perspectives of Disability and Rehabilitation
4.5
DSRS1202
Lifespan Development
4.5
DSRS1211
Introduction to Neurological Rehabilitation
4.5
Electives *
4.5
Second Year
Semester 1
DSRS2212
Principles of Learning and Instruction 1
6
DSRS2213
Family and Professional Partnerships
6
DSRS2214
Practicum A - Disability and Community Rehabilitation
6
Semester 2
DSRS2215
Practicum B - Disability and Community Rehabilitation
6
DSRS2216
Principles of Learning and Instruction 2
6
DSRS2217
Ethical and Legal Issues
6
Third Year
Semester 1
DSRS3208
Principles of Learning and Instruction 3
6
DSRS3209
Counselling
6
DSRS3212
Communication and Language
6
Semester 2
DSRS3106
Employment and Disability
6
DSRS3210
Case Management
6
DSRS3211
Practicum C - Disability and Community Rehabilitation (Inter-Semester Placement)
6
Fourth Year
Semester 1
# Specialisation 1
6
# Specialisation 2
6
# Specialisation 3
6
Semester 2
# Specialisation 4
6
# Specialisation 5
6
# Specialisation 6
6
* ELECTIVES (First Year):
Elective topics may be selected from any topics offered by the University at the appropriate level, provided entry and course requirements are met.
# SPECIALISATIONS (Fourth Year):
Students undertaking the Ordinary Degree may select specialisation topics from any of those offered by the Department of Disability Studies listed below or any relevant topic offered by the University at the appropriate level. The model recommended for Specialisations is that students select in each semester the following structure:
1. a prescribed content topic;
2. an independent study topic;
3. a practicum specialisation topic.
all of which will be related and provide an opportunity to study the content topic from the perspectives of academic input, individual research and practical application.
Students may vary from this model in consultation with the Course Coordinator.
DSRS2103
Leisure, Arts and Community Development
6
DSRS3113
Introduction to Autism and Related Disorders
6
DSRS3202
Technological Applications and Disability (Flexible Delivery)
6
DSRS4030
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
6
DSRS4031
Community Rehabilitation for People with ABI
6
DSRS4032
Rehabilitation and Mental Health
6
DSRS4034
Introduction to Intellectual Disability (Flexible Delivery)
6
DSRS4035
Applied Counselling
6
DSRS4036
Practicum Specialisation 1
6
DSRS4037
Practicum Specialisation 2
6
DSRS4038
Independent Study 1
6
DSRS4039
Independent Study 2
6
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
HONOURS DEGREE
A student who has completed the first three years of the Bachelor of Disability and Community Rehabilitation, or another qualification which the Faculty Board agrees is equivalent, may be accepted as a candidate for the honours degree providing a sufficiently high standard has been achieved in fulfilling the requirements for the bachelor's degree.
To qualify for the honours degree, a student must complete satisfactorily 36 units of study, comprising:
* 18 units of topics approved by the Board; and
* an 18-unit thesis.
