Disability Support

Study Disability Support. Self paced, 100 hour online course for anyone working in disability care or support, as a volunteer, employment or a career.

Course Code: BPS226
Fee Code: S3
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification Statement of Attainment
Get started!

Learn to Support people Living with a Disability

  • Explore Scope, Nature and Impact of Different Disabilities
  • Recognise Different Solutions for Different Circumstances
  • Support them at home, work and leisure. 

Disabilities can vary. Some are temporary and others permanent.  People may be physically disabled after an accident, and require certain support during recovery; others may have a disability that is with them for life. Some disabilities can be stable and others may progress and change over time. Living with a disability can be more of a psychological or physical challenge for some people than others.

This course aims to broaden and deepen your appreciation of the diversity of disabilities that exist, and to have a better capacity to respond to and support challenges faced by any disabled person.

Lesson Structure

There are 10 lessons in this course:

  1. Nature and Scope of Disability Support
    • Introduction
    • Models of disability
    • Medical model
    • Social model
    • Definitions of disability
    • Key terminology
    • Human rights
    • Underpinning human rights values - fairness, respect, equality, dignity, autonomy
    • Diversity in the social context
    • What equality means for those with disabilities
    • Inclusivity and disabilities
    • What influences inclusion
    • Socio economic influences
    • Life skills development
  2. Nature of Physical Disabilities
    • Introduction
    • Sensory disabilities
    • Sight
    • Deaf/blindness
    • Physical Mobility Disabilities
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Muscular Dystrophy
    • Motor Neurone Disease
    • Amputees, Paraplegia, Hemiplegia and Quadriplegia
    • Chronic pain and Arthritis
    • Osteo-conditions
    • Neurological disorders - Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis
    • Speech disorders
    • Speech and Language Therapy
    • Providing individualised support
  3. Nature of Learning Differences
    • What is a learning difference
    • Dyslexia
    • Dysgraphia
    • Dyscalculia
    • Dyspraxia
    • Dysphasia
    • Developmental language disorder
    • Auditory processing disorder
    • Visual perceptual motor disorder
    • Non verbal learning disorder
    • Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
    • Autism spectrum disorder
    • Intellectual disability
    • How learning differences are identified and diagnosed
    • Importance of early diagnosis/screening
    • Who diagnoses
    • When do diagnoses occur
    • Who authorises in school and/or assessment judgements
    • Provide individualised support
    • Common whole school procedural/policy adjustments
    • Common class adjustments
    • Aspects to include
    • Common assessment adjustments
    • Role of home schooling and distance education
  4. Inclusive Learning Experiences and Environments
    • Role of teachers and trainers
    • Special Education Needs Coordinators
    • The physical environment
    • Alternative technologies
  5. Inclusivity in the Workplace
    • Diversity and inclusion
    • Inclusivity models for the workplace
    • Respect
    • Sense of belonging
    • Empowerment
    • Fair chance for career progression
    • Physical factors to ensure inclusivity
    • Catering for visual disabilities
    • Wheelchair access
    • Catering to intellectual disabilities
    • Catering for poor balance, coordination or fine motor control
    • Catering for hearing difficulties
    • Support with manual tasks
    • Adaptations in tools and equipment
    • Physical support
    • Understanding ergonomics
    • Protective gear
    • Hand protection
    • Eye protection
    • Machine guards
    • Floors and walkways
    • Recruitment
    • Equity and fair pay
  6. Independent Living and In Home Support
    • Introduction
    • Safety factors
    • Nutrition
    • Important factors in nutrition - ingredients, variety. compatibility, cooking methods, additional requirements.
    • Eating
    • Meal preparation
    • Cleaning and home care
    • People who help - communication, daily activities
    • Overnight care sleeping difficulties
    • Domestic services
    • Transport
    • Pet care or assistance pets
    • Financial management
  7. Health Care and Inclusivity
    • What is a need
    • Person centred service responses
    • Occupational Therapists
    • Physiotherapists
    • Complimentary Health Services
    • Doctors, nurses and allied health professionals
    • Psychologists and counsellors
    • Supporting diabled people through grief and loss
    • Support through health changes and deterioration
    • Aging
    • Physical changes
    • Support through debilitating or terminal illness diagnosis
    • Depression
    • Safeguarding vulnerable adults
    • Physical aids for wellbeing
  8. Sport, Leisure and Travel
    • Introduction
    • Barriers - physical, informational, logistical, psychological
    • Effects of inactivity
    • Exercise and age
    • What happens during and after exercise
    • Breathing
    • Hydration
    • Participation
    • Models of Inclusivity in Sport and Activities - TREE model
    • Sports and leisure clubs
    • Being active in the home
    • Health
  9. Relationships and Community Participation
    • Prejudice
    • Autism and relationships
    • Friendships
    • Maintaining existion friendsgips
    • Family
    • Colleagues
    • RomantiParticipation and social inclusion in the wider community
    • Getting about - transport
    • c relationships
    • Online community - grooming, social media assistance
  10. Working in Disability Care and Support
    • Social care funding
    • Employment
    • Managing risk and compliance
    • Ethics
    • Supply, installation and maintenance of aids/equipment

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

  • Investigate diversity and describe different ways that inclusivity serves for equality of opportunity.
  • Examine physical support needs and strategies for empowerment.
  • Examine learning support needs for people with learning differences and strategies for empowerment.
  • Create Inclusive Learning Experiences and Environments
  • Explain how to create inclusivity in workplaces.
  • Determine strategies for independence for disabled people in their homes.
  • Describe how health care services respond to the needs of disabled people
  • Describe how leisure and sporting venues and facilities or transportation cater for the needs of disabled people.
  • Examine social including and community participation for the overall wellbeing of disabled people.
  • Analyse workplace requirements for safe, ethical, and professional practice in care and support roles.

Scope of this Course

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines disability as:

“Long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder (a person's) full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”.

Disabilities can be physical, sensory, developmental, cognitive, intellectual, or mental. They may also be a combination of any of these types. 

This course explores the scope and nature of disability and disabled support to help the student better respond to issues faced by persons living with a disability; whatever the disability might be.
ACS is an Organisational Member of the Association for Coaching (UK).
ACS is an Organisational Member of the Association for Coaching (UK).
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
 Principal John Mason is a member of the ANZMH. ACS Students are invited to join
Principal John Mason is a member of the ANZMH. ACS Students are invited to join
UK Register of Learning Providers, UK PRN10000112
UK Register of Learning Providers, UK PRN10000112

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

Simply click on the ENROL OPTIONS button at the top of this screen and follow the prompts.

You can see the course price at the top of this page. Click 'enrolment options' to see any payment options available.

You can pay by Credit Card, PayPal, Afterpay or bank transfer.

Yes! We have payment plans for most courses. Click 'enrolment options' to see the available payment plans.
We also have Afterpay that will allow you to pay for your course or payment plans in four instalments (if you are in Australia).


What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.


Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.


How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.


What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.


What if I change my mind?

Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.

If you would like ACS Distance Education to delete your information at any time (whether you are a customer or a prospective customer), please contact our privacy officer and we will process this ( admin@acs.edu.au ).




Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Need Help?

Take advantage of our personalised, expert course counselling service to ensure you're making the best course choices for your situation.


I agree for ACS Distance Education to contact me and store my information until I revoke my approval. For more info, view our privacy policy.