Graduate Diploma in Disability Practice

This course was previously known as Graduate Diploma in Disability.

Course Aims

The Graduate Diploma in Disability Practice is designed for employees in organisations that are delivering disability services, those seeking such employment, and those interested in the field of disability management. It will enable students to enhance their competencies in areas critical to the delivery of disability services. The course will produce graduates with a specialised knowledge of disability management including clinical knowledge and practice, encompassing the delivery of disability services.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate through their own study and practice, advanced knowledge of disability management including: clinical knowledge and practice, encompassing the broad context of health, family, and community services, in order to be an effective clinical practitioner and clinician; utilise advanced cognitive and communication skills, tools, and digital technologies to communicate appropriately and persuasively with a range of stakeholders; exhibit an established ability to use creativity and judgement in analysing problems and to work independently and collaboratively with others to generate solutions to problems; apply advanced skills and judgement in utilising information drawn from a range of sources; demonstrate and apply an advanced ability to critically evaluate and formulate responses to social, cultural and ethical issues that emerge in disability practice; and practise preparedness to pursue a specialised knowledge and understanding to enhance professional skills.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will have an enhanced knowledge of disability practice, management, care and services through the learning and teaching activities associated with each unit and interaction with the unit coordinators, lecturers and tutors, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, online activities and discussion board. Students will be assessed using assignments; individual and group project reports; and written examinations. Communication Skills Graduates will have advanced cognitive and communication skills acquired through written assignments and reports, oral presentations and participation in online activities and discussion board. Problem Solving Graduates will have well-developed problem solving skills in all aspects of disability practice, management, care and services. All units teach and assess problem solving skills. Information Literacy Graduates will be able to synthesise and evaluate information from a range of sources, using a range of technologies. Students are required to demonstrate information literacy in assessment tasks for all units. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will have an in-depth understanding of the social, cultural and ethical issues related to the provision of disability services. Social responsibility and professional practice is embedded in the course content. Lifelong Learning Graduates will have the fundamental skills required to supplement their knowledge and to keep abreast of any changes in the provision of disability services. This will be taught and practised in most units. Independence and Collaboration Graduates are able to apply their skills and knowledge individually and as part of collaborative teams. They are able to work with intellectual independence, and to collaborate with colleagues and clients. Working in a group environment is an essential component of the course and in provision of disability services. To develop these skills, some units require students to work in groups and provide guidance and assessment on group work.