History of Course

 

Foundations in Community Disability Studies, was first developed in

2005. It was a collaborative effort of post-secondary, government, and service

providers, in the province of Alberta. It is copyrighted to the Alberta Council

of Disability Services (ACDS) and is coordinated out of their offices in

Calgary.

 

Building on 13 years of experience with the Basic Skills Training 

(BST) program we have kept the same successful Tutor supported in-service

training model, but are now offering a more comprehensive work-based learning

program. It is practical in focus and designed to teach real skills for the

workplace. 

 

It has become a benchmark with the industry and is quickly being

accepted as required training for all entry level Community Disability Services

Workers without previous related training or education. 

 

About the Course

This course provides a comprehensive orientation to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by staff in today's world. This is just the beginning of a challenging and rewarding career.

 

Section Breakdowns

There are a total of 15 modules. 

Section 1 has 5 modules.

Section 2 has 6 modules.

Section 3 has 4 modules.

There are two additional mandatory external modules: First Aid/CPR and Medical Administration.

 

Section 1

 

Module 1: The Evolving Field of Community Disability Studies

 

• Unit 1: Development of Community Disability Services
• Unit 2: Role of Government and Community Boards

 

 

Module 2: Legislation and Human Rights Protection

 

• Unit 1: Development of Human Rights Legislation in Canada
• Unit 2: Human Rights Legislation in Alberta

 

 

Module 3: Values and Attitudes

 

• Unit 1: Professional Values and Beliefs
• Unit 2: Examining Your Values and Beliefs

 

 

Module 4: Roles and Responsibilities

 

• Unit 1: Getting to Know the Person
• Unit 2: Promoting Personal Growth and Self-Determination
• Unit 3: Building Community
• Unit 4: Recognizing and Taking Action in Abusive Situations

 

 

Module 5: Definitions and Characteristics of Some Common Disabilities

 

• Unit 1: Understanding a Disability Label
• Unit 2: Developmental Disabilities
• Unit 3: Physical Disabilities
• Unit 4: Emotional and Behavioural Disorders
• Unit 5: Health Impairments

 

 

Section 2

 

Module 6: Safety Issues

 

• Unit 1: Safe Environments
• Unit 2: First Aid
• Unit 3: Emergency Plans and Procedures

 

 

Module 7: Ergonomics for Safe Lifting and Transferring

 

• Unit 1: The Back
• Unit 2: Body Mechanics
• Unit 3: Back Injury
• Unit 4: Lifts and Transfers

 

 

Module 8: Adaptive Equipment

 

• Unit 1: Clothing and Kitchen Aids
• Unit 2: Communication Aids
• Unit 3: Mobility Aids
• Unit 4: Assistive Devices

 

 

Module 9: Universal Precautions and Infection Control

 

• Unit 1: The Chain of Infection
• Unit 2: Routine Practices of Universal Precautions
• Unit 3: Serious Diseases Requiring Extra Precautions
• Unit 4: Keeping Yourself Healthy

 

 

Module 10: Personal Hygiene Support

 

• Unit 1: Core Values
• Unit 2: Personal Hygiene Procedures
• Unit 3: Repositioning

 

 

Module 11: Mealtimes and Nutrition

 

• Unit 1: Wellness and Nutrition
• Unit 2: Mealtimes
• Unit 3: Assisting with Eating and Positioning
• Unit 4: Non-Nutritive Mealtime Program
• Unit 5: Safe Food Handling

 

 

Section 3

 

Module 12: Promoting Wellness

 

• Unit 1: Healthy Choices to Maintain or Promote Wellness
• Unit 2: Observing Changes Related to Physical Wellness
• Unit 3: Emotional Health and Mental Illness
• Unit 4: Documentation
• Unit 5: Epilepsy
• Unit 6: Sensory Integration

 

 

Module 13: Facilitating Growth and Skill Development

 

• Unit 1: The Planning Process
• Unit 2: Facilitating Learning
• Unit 3: Data Collecting and Graphing
• Unit 4: Developing New Skills for Living in the Community

 

 

Module 14: Interpersonal Communication & Professional Communication Skills

 

• Unit 1: Verbal Communication
• Unit 2: Non-Verbal Communication
• Unit 3: Constructive Communications in Difficult Situations
• Unit 4: Effective Written Communication
• Unit 5: Effective Meeting Participation
• Unit 6: Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution

 

 

Module 15: Personal and Professional Competence

 

• Unit 1: What Is Stress?
• Unit 2: Stress Management
• Unit 3: Burnout
• Unit 4: Commitment to Lifelong Learning

 

 

External Modules (Requires Certifications to be sent into ACDS)

 

• First Aid/CPR
• Medication Administration

 

Mentors

This delivery mode requires the support of and in-service trainer.

Individual learners are registered through ACDS. The support of a mentor is required for the

applied component to this course, referred to as the Skills

Checklist, which must be completed by a Mentor at your organization. It is

recommended that Mentors attend the Foundations Train the Trainer training.  

 

Course Format

 

Online Foundations is delivered via the internet with the exception of the applied skills checklist which is done in house via a mentor. ACDS uses Moodle to deliver this course. www.moodle.acdsonline.ca This program is supported by an online facilitator. 

 

The online format currently has 3 start dates: April 1, August 1, & December 1. Learners are enrolled in a section and have 3 months to complete it before getting enrolled into the next section. Overall, this course should take about 1 year to complete. 

 

Once all 18 modules have been completed, a certificate of completion is awarded. Course completion time is approximately 75-90 hours.

Knowledge Testing

There are 18 online knowledge tests: one per module. The knowledge tests are multiple choice and various from 5-30 questions per module. Learners are required to have a mark of 80% to pass. Learners are only given 2 attempts to pass the test. 

Written Assignments

There is also a written assignment required for each module. Learners will be graded with a pass/fail for each written assignment to illustrate they understand and have apply the concepts to their daily work.

 Applied Skills/Skills Checklist

There is also an applied skills component to this course, referred to as the skills checklist, which must be completed by a Mentor at your organization. This skills checklist ensures that learners meet the required learning outcomes. 

 

 

 

Audience

 

This training program was specifically designed for direct service

workers in the evolving field of Community Disability Services. It has been

designed to provide a comprehensive orientation to the knowledge, skills, and

attitudes needed by staff in today's world. 

 

Cost

Subsidies are currently available for this course.

Member Pricing $600.00 + $30.00 GST = $630.00 total.

Non-Member Pricing $780.00 + $39.00 GST= $819.00 total.

Replacement Learner Fee $35.00 + $1.75 = $36.75 total. 

Fees need to be paid BEFORE course start date.

 

Cancellation Policy

Written notice of cancellation must be received ten working days prior to the first day of this event for a full refund. Cancellations following this deadline will be subjected to a $35 + GST administrative fee.