Disability, Ableism and Youth Work

This unit of study is an introduction to disability, and provides an overview of the history of disability in Australia. The predicated lifespan and opportunities of individuals will be explored and the impact that a disability has on the individual young person, family and community. The students will be introduced to a range of topics including disabilities/impairments that are developmental, acquired, genetic or hereditary. This unit then introduces students to the empowerment models of Person Centred Planning and Active Support when working with young people with diverse abilities. The concepts of access and inclusion will be considered from a youth work perspective. The unit will ask the student to examine their own values and ethics working with young people with diverse abilities. This unit will also deliver a specific public speaking component to empower students to be able to advocate for marginalised young people and to assist them in developing an important skill set in this work.