Unit Outline
ZAC208
Contemporary Disability Practice
Semester 2, 2024
Nita O'Callaghan
University College
College of Business and Economics
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Nita O'Callaghan
Email: Nita.OCallaghan@utas.edu.au
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
 
Support services, both mainstream and specialised, are adopting contemporary disability practices to enable self-determination, choice and control by people with disability. This unit examines the evolution of disability practice with particular emphasis on the reforms arising from the Disability Royal Commission and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Using a rights-based framework, you will explore themes of participation and inclusion and develop professional skills in effective communication, advocacy, support coordination and capacity building. 
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Appraise evidence-based principles, policies, models, and frameworks relevant to contemporary disability practice.
2.
Reflect upon self, and the experiences and perspectives of people living with disability, to inform contemporary practice.
3.
Apply professional communication, advocacy and reporting skills and standards.
4.
Plan, promote and support inclusion, participation, self-determination, choice and control for people with disabilities.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
To be determined. 
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
1 x 4-hour workshop per semester (on campus or online)
4
Study Period 1 time
Online
Tutorial (Online)
2 x 1.5-hour online tutorials
1.50
Study Period 2 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
On-line Discussions - Contemporary Disability Practice
Week 4
15 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:
Practice Development Interview and Report
Week 9
35 %
LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Evolving Case Study
Week 14
50 %
LO1, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: On-line Discussions - Contemporary Disability Practice
Task Description:
For this task, you will contribute to collaborative online discussions, with a focus on contemporary disability practice.

You will draw from your own experiences, and the week 1- 3 content, to form your contribution and discussion.
Task Length:
450 words
Due Date:
Week 4
Weight:
15 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Appraise principles and models relevant to contemporary disability practice.
LO1
2
Reflect upon the experiences and perspectives of self and others.
LO2
3
Apply professional communication skills.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 2: Practice Development Interview and Report
Task Description:
You will engage with a volunteer who lives with a disability. You will interview the person about their perspectives and experiences. This will culminate in a practice development report where you will reflect upon your learning from this experience and consider application to future practice.

A dedicated page will be provided to you in MyLO for further guidance.
Task Length:
Approx. 900 words
Due Date:
Week 9
Weight:
35 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Reflect and report upon the experiences and perspectives of a person living with disability.
LO2
2
Describe your approach to interviewing a person living with disability.
LO3
3
Relate your reflection to contemporary disability practice.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Evolving Case Study
Task Description:
For this task, you will be engaging with an evolving case study. This case study will explore a range of issues, needs and challenges for a person living with disability and their family.

You will complete a series of tasks to demonstrate your understanding and application of contemporary approaches to disability practice.

A dedicated page will be provided to you in MyLO for further guidance.
Task Length:
Approx. 1200 words
Due Date:
Week 14
Weight:
50 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Apply contemporary principles, strategies and approaches to disability practice.
LO1
2
Communicate plans and responses to the case study.
LO3
3
Plan responses to identified issues, needs and barriers relating to the case study.
LO4
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.