The Higher Diploma in Facilitating Inclusion (Disability Studies) (HDFIDS) is a unique course and a progression route for graduates of the very popular part-time Diploma in Disability Studies (DDS). It is an opportunity for people working in the area of disability to enhance their knowledge and skills to enable them to support the fuller participation of people with disabilities in education, training, work and leisure. It incorporates the twin aims of lifelong learning – active citizenship and employability. The course includes an introduction to sign language, inclusive media and the skills required to successfully design a course that maximises the inclusion of people with disabilities. It also looks at the social context of mental health and autism. Accessibility to sport and leisure, the creative arts and culture also form part of this course and you’ll be encouraged to contribute constructively to the ongoing debate around disability and inclusion locally, nationally and internationally.

Click on any module code for a detailed module description.

Modules are as follows:

Year 1 Modules:

• AD5832: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Inclusion (Disability Studies) (10 credits)
  An interdisciplinary module informed by the arts, humanities and social sciences that investigates society's understanding of disability from a historical, social, cultural, political, legal, global and educational perspective.
• AD5833: Introduction to Sensory Awareness and Communication (5 credits)
  Deaf, Deaf-blind, Vision impaired and Blind Awareness: types of deafness, deaf-blindness, vision impairment and blindness; preferred communication methods; acceptable terminology; attitudes towards deafness and blindness; technical and mobility aids; LSPs; national organisations working with deaf, deaf-blind people, vision impaired and blind people. Communication Tactics with deaf and deaf-blind people - basic skills for communicating with deaf or deaf-blind people. Mobility and daily living strategies for vision impaired and blind people.
• AD5834: Introduction to Assistive Technologies (5 credits)
  Introduction to Assistive Technology; Information Technology; Accessible formats.
• AD5835: The Social Context of Mental Health (5 credits)
  Theories and definitions of mental health and distress from a historical, cultural, medical, social and holistic perspectives; contemporary debates on policy and practice on mental health issues; ethics and values in mental health; the role of service users in mental health policy practice; links between creativity and mental distress.
• AD5848: Universal Design and Inclusive Strategies (5 credits)
  Inclusive strategies; universal design; universal design for learning; critical skills/analysis.

Year 2 Modules:

• AD5836: Autism: The Social Context (5 credits)
  A brief history of autism and associated life experiences; the impact of autism on the individual, the familiy and carers; the concept of the 'autistic spectrum'; autism as a social construction: the individual model versus the social model of disability.
• AD5837: Design, Training and Inclusion (10 credits)
  Assessing learning needs; reflecting upon and designing accessible teaching practices to meet the diverse needs of people with disabilities; incorporating flexible approaches to learning and assessment; designing accessible promotional materials.
• AD5838: Inclusion and Development (Disability Studies) (5 credits)
  Definitions and models of disability which inform policy and practice in developing countries will be reviewed. The personal experiences of people living with an impairment will be considered. The role of the community and of carers will be examined. The contribution of International and National organisations of disabled people will also form part of the module.
• AD5839: Sport, Leisure and Inclusion (Disability Studies) (5 credits)
  Types of sports and leisure; common barriers to sport and leisure for people with disabilities in Ireland; comparative analysis with other countries; adapted sports; making sport and leisure accessible to people with disabilities; sport and leisure as tools for the inclusion of people with disabilities.
• AD5847: Creative Art, Culture and Inclusion (Disability Studies) (5 credits)
  Various cultural forms including painting, sculpture, literature, poetry, music, theatre and dance; popular culture including television programmes, pop music, films, art design fashion; the visibility and invisibility of disability.

Some of the modules combine in-class examinations in the form of multiple choice questions with a practical element – sign language/social media online assessment. The rest of the course is evaluated by continuous assessment through a combination of essays, reflective logs, a journal of learning, case study, oral presentation, and course design.

Teaching staff are chosen for their expertise and interest in the area of disability and inclusion. This includes the School of Applied Social Studies, School of Music, School of History, Computer Science and ACE.

Currently closed for application