6N1975: Write an Overview of Disability Awareness and Current Good Practice: Disability Awareness Assignment, OU

1. Professional Practice

Activity 1: Write an overview of disability awareness and current good practice

Learner record 1

Professional knowledge and skills:

• Provide an overview to introduce the activities in this assessment: Introduce the activities and learner records to include collaboration with staff in organizing planning and implementing the activities in a professional manner. Give an outline of how you prepared for this assignment i.e. research and reading and sources used.
• Discuss the importance of inclusion in settings to incorporate how organizations providing services to persons with disabilities ensure the quality of service and adherence to best practice in terms of legislation, policies and practical support.
• Outline the key requirements of employers / educational institutions and providers of public services in accommodating persons with disabilities as set down in Irish legislation.
• Detail current supports in education and employment
• Refer to The Better Start Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) for pre-school education
• Current supports for children with disabilities in primary and post-primary education.
• Outline progression i.e. the rehabilitation and support strategies available when children reach post-secondary age, into adulthood to improve the quality of life. Eg. Financial, employment, training, specialized training, educational supports, rehabilitation, promoting independence, housing, advice, access, employment, physical and practical supports. (Use of relevant research and reading should be evident through referencing in the text)

2. Accessibility

Activity 2: Conduct a detailed Access Audit in an ECCE setting using the form provided

Learner record 2.

• Describe your planning. Describe what you did. Describe close involvement of the team.
• Analyse the data from your research audit and discuss your findings on accessibility; identifying strengths and weaknesses within the service. Including recommendations for improvement.
• Professional knowledge and skills: Identify barriers to disability, environmental, attitudinal and society.
• Examine how employees and children with disabilities can be supported and accommodated in the workplace with adaptations to equipment, environment and procedures.
• Identify the range of employment options available to enable participation.
• Identify the requirements of employers, educational institutions and providers of public services in accommodating persons with disabilities as set down in Irish legislation for this task. (Use of relevant research and reading should be evident through referencing in text)

3. Care Routines

Activity 3. Carry out a personal care routine. (Feeding, dressing, toileting, hygiene and bodily care etc)

Learner record 3.

• Give an overview of the child’s condition and describe the activity and reason for undertaking this activity with the child (re- benefits to child)
• Describe your planning. Describe what you did. Describe close involvement of team.
• Discuss how you supported the child’s care needs in the activity adhering to good practice,regulations and health and safety and encouraged independence.
• Professional knowledge and skills: Evaluate the importance of promoting independence, dignity and rights of the child in providing personal care needs.
• Explore the impact of disability on the individual include emotional, social, behavioural and societal preconceptions’ of disability and how these can affect the child.
• Outline community/home interventions that are available to children with care needs and disabilities.
• Identify the requirements of employers, educational institutions and providers of public services in accommodating persons with disabilities as set down in Irish legislation for this task. (Use of relevant research and reading should be evident through referencing in the text)

4. Educational Support

Activity 4. Plan and conduct one learning activity in the setting to support a child with a disability.

Learner record 4.

• Give an overview of the child’s condition and describe activity and reason for undertaking this activity (re-benefits to child)
• Describe your planning. Describe what you did. Describe the close involvement of the team.
• Give a critical and reflective evaluation of how you ensured the principles of the best practice and promoted independence.
• Outline the skills gained by child refer to (Physical, Intellectual, Language, Emotional & Social)
• Provide information on the strengths and weaknesses you have identified in practice.
• Discuss the importance of the adult’s contribution to the development of the child’s needs. Highlight how you ensured inclusive practice and rights of the child.
• Provide recommendations for personal and professional development to enhance inclusive practice within the environment
• Professional knowledge and skills: Identify how inclusive practice in education supports a child’s well-being, including emotional, social, behavioral and educational.
• Identify education and support strategies for pre-school education at home.
• Identify the requirements of employers, educational institutions and providers of public services in accommodating persons with disabilities as set down in Irish legislation for this task. (Use of relevant research and reading should be evident through referencing in the text)

5. Policy And Practice

Activity 5: Evaluate two of the settings policies and procedures in relation to equality, inclusion, access or admissions as they pertain to disability.

Learner Record 5.

• Evaluate the policies chosen, outline how they meet current legislation and good practice and give examples of implementation in the setting.
• Professional knowledge and skills: Discuss the importance of policies in informing practice and maintaining quality.
• Outline the involvements of members of the childcare team in designing implementing and updating policies for inclusion, equality, and integration.
• Identify the requirements of employers, educational institutions and providers of public services in accommodating persons with disabilities as set down in Irish legislation for this task.
• Reflect on own experience and perceptions of disability now all tasks are complete. (Use of relevant research and reading should be evident through referencing in the text)

Section 1: Comprehensive planning

Give an outline of how you prepared for this assignment i.e. research and reading and sources used.

Provide an overview to introduce the topics in the assessment and setting the context of disability to include:

• Definitions of disability (min two referenced to sources one should be taken from legislation)
• Describe the various classifications of disability
• Summarize models of disability to include the medical, social, and the WHO (ICF)
• Identify a range of disabilities, and conditions that can impact the quality of a person’s life. (Min 5)

Section 2: Evaluation of legal and social structures

Describe the functions of a range of organizations which have been established to develop and implement public policy and strategy in relation to disability, to include specific Government Departments and State Agencies e.g.

• The Disability Federation of Ireland
• The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
• The National Council for Special Education

Examine the key requirements of employers, educational institutions and providers of public services in accommodating persons with disabilities as set down in Irish legislation with reference to the Disability Act, the Epsen Act, and the Employment Act.

Section 3 :

(a) Impact of services available to accommodate disabilities

Outline strategies to minimize the difficulties individuals face with specific disabilities; including financial aid, access, information and advice, practical care and physical aids, accessibility and assistive technology.

Identify services available to enable persons with disabilities to access their rights include:

• The Equality Authority
• Citizens Information
• Ombudsman
• Health Service Executive

(b) Provide information on grant schemes and support mechanisms that employees with disabilities and employers of persons with disabilities can avail of including; adaptation grants, mobility, participation initiatives and types of employment arrangements and community interventions.

Section 4:  Clear Recommendations

On completion of the assignment reflect on your learning and provide clear recommendations based on research conducted and relevant reports and documents into disability.

• A minimum of five recommendations
• Each supported with reasons for giving them
• How each recommendation will provide further support/inclusion

Section 5:  Reflection on personal and professional learning.

Give a detailed reflection on your own views and attitudes toward disability.

What you have learned through research about current legislation and supports?

How this impact your individual practice?