Center for Disabilities Studies : Community Education : Innovative Concepts and Practices
Innovative Concepts and Practices
This seminar series will provide up-to-date information, ideas and inspiration for professionals working with people with disabilities. It is designed for both new and experienced direct support professionals, managers and administrators. This six-seminar series focuses on best practices and hot topics in the field of disabilities.
Topics focus on social issues, including the portrayal of people with disabilities in today’s culture, the inclusion of people with disabilities as natural members of the community, and the struggle of people with disabilities to work, marry, raise children and live in homes of their own; legal issues, including victimization of people with disabilities, the impact of the criminal justice system, and the treatment of people with disabilities who are perpetrators of crime; systems change issues, including self-determination, support brokerage, informed choice and natural supports; clinical issues, including positive behavior support and the latest research on causes, characteristics and support options for various types of disabilities; and support issues, including working with family members and other professional staff.
As part of the certificate requirements, participants will complete homework and long term assignments which will assist in applying the principles learned in class to issues and circumstances in their professional work. This course is designed to be taken in its entirety. Please do not sign up for individual sessions. Participants are expected to attend all six sessions. A University of Delaware certificate is awarded upon completion of the series.
Special Note: New Visions is a prerequisite for this course.
Curriculum topics
Session One: Who Are These People? Separating Fact from Fiction
This session begins with a comprehensive look, both past and present, at the ways in which people with disabilities have been portrayed in our culture through books, television and movies. We will examine common stereotypes of people with disabilities and contrast that with up-to-date information on the causes, characteristics and support options for several types of disabilities.
Session Two: Life Goes On: Critical Issues in the Lives of Adolescents, Adults and Older People with Disabilities
The transitions from one stage of life to the next are often more difficult for people with disabilities. For adolescents, adults and older people, the continuing struggle is for enhanced independence and increased quality of life. This session will look at the latest information in areas such as transition from school to work, sexuality, marriage, parenting, residential options, and the effect of the aging process on people with disabilities.
Session Three: The Times They Are a Changing: New Directions in the Field of Disabilities
The topic of self-determination is no longer a concept…it is becoming a reality. This movement, which requires that the service community actively support the individual’s right to choose his/her own services and supports, is revolutionizing the way in which we do business as agencies and relate to people with disabilities as individuals. This session will examine in detail the self determination movement and how support brokerage, informed choice, person centered planning and self-advocacy will become standard practice in the work that we do. A comprehensive look at successful self-determination models in other states will be offered.
Session Four: Living in the Free World: Natural Supports in the Community and Workplace
To be truly included, a person needs to be not just a member in the community, but a member of the community. In our work and leisure lives, the only way to achieve this is through the process of natural supports, i.e. partnering with individuals who are already part of the social fabric of that community. This session will look at innovative strategies for building community, fostering meaningful relationships, and promoting greater success and stability in employment settings.
Session Five: And Justice For All? Criminal and Legal Issues
In increasing numbers, people with disabilities are drawing the attention of the criminal justice system, both as victims and perpetrators of crime. This session will take an honest look at the ability of this system to treat people with disabilities in a fair and equitable manner. Ways to prevent or at least minimize victimization will be explored and the issue of accountability for misdeeds on the part of people with disabilities will be debated.
Session Six: Are You Positive About This? Implementing Positive Behavior Support
Working with people who present challenging behaviors requires patience, compassion and an open mind. Professionals need to do detective work, identifying clues, uncovering motivations and interpreting behavior. The concept of positive behavior support means changing the environment that is contributing to unwanted behavior rather than changing the person him/her self. This session will provide clear strategies for implementing this technique and will challenge more traditional methods of behavior management and restrictive procedures.
Cost
Registration fee: $50
Course tuition: $200/semester (nonprofit organizations); $300/semester (for-profit organizations)
Tuition free to employees of Delaware DDDS or a DDDS-funded program and family members.
Calendar
Scheduling is underway for 2008 dates. Please check back for updates.
Participants are expected to attend all sessions.
A University of Delaware certificate is awarded upon completion of the series.
Registration
Mail your registration to:
Innovative Concepts and Practices
Center for Disabilities Studies
University of Delaware
461 Wyoming Road
Newark, DE, 19716
For more information
Nancy Freedman
(302) 831-8103
nancyf@udel.edu