Course Overview:

This course offers a thorough investigation into supporting individuals with developmental disabilities within British Columbia’s social service system. Students will participate in simulations, hands-on workshops, and case analyses to master person-centered planning and assistive technology use. The curriculum emphasizes assessing client needs, developing tailored support strategies, and evaluating their effectiveness, preparing learners for roles in disability services. Expert-led sessions will provide practical insights, ensuring students can adapt support methods to meet diverse client requirements in community settings.

Prerequisite:

  • The students must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education, or mature student status (19 years or older).
  • Applicants must submit a written statement outlining their motivation, relevant experience, and career goals. An admissions interview may also be required to assess communication skills, professional awareness, and readiness for both academic study and practicum learning.
  • Because the program includes placements with vulnerable populations, applicants must provide a clear Criminal Record Check. Some sites may also require proof of immunizations, first aid certification, or other documentation to ensure safety and readiness for practicum participation.
  • All applicants must meet one of the following Language Proficiency Requirements (LPR):
    • Completion of 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of ‘C’ or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages, or
    • Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
    • To meet BC Health Care Assistant English Competency Standards, students from non-English speaking countries must have completed grade 12 or equivalent education and provide verified results for one of the English Language Proficiency tests with minimum scores listed below:
      • IELTS: overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 6 in Speaking/Listening, and not below 5.5 in Reading/Writing.
      • CAEL: overall score of 60, with no section below 50.
      • TOEFL iBT: minimum 76 overall, with no sub-scores lower than 20 (Speaking/Listening) and 18 (Reading/Writing), or
      • Another accredited equivalent score.
  • Mature Student Applicants
    Applicants who are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program, are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and are unable to provide official secondary or post-secondary education records may demonstrate English proficiency by:
    • Submitting a signed attestation confirming they have completed at least three years of full-time education in English in a country where English is one of the primary languages and
    • Completing the Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing, and WritePlacer) with the following minimum scores:
      • Reading: 235
      • Writing: 235
      • WritePlacer: 4

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:

  • Design person-centered support plans that reflect clients’ strengths, cultural identities, and community contexts, while incorporating decolonizing approaches that respect Indigenous worldviews and diverse ways of knowing.
  • Apply basic assistive technology solutions in practice scenarios to enhance client independence, ensuring that choices are culturally respectful and free of colonial bias.
  • Use foundational behaviour-support techniques within a supportive, non-clinical scope, integrating culturally informed and decolonizing perspectives that avoid pathologizing clients from marginalized groups.
  • Evaluate cultural, historical, and colonial factors that influence disability experiences and support needs, including the impacts of institutionalization and systemic oppression on Indigenous and racialized communities.
  • Support for accessible, inclusive, and culturally safe services in multicultural settings, incorporating anti-oppressive and decolonizing principles to challenge systemic barriers affecting clients with disabilities.

Course Content & Topics:

Credit Information:

  • Credits: 3

Duration:

  • 14 Weeks: 3 hrs/week

Course & Related Fees:

  • Domestic & International: $700 (Seven hundred dollars)

For a detailed breakdown, please refer to Policy #S-005 Programs & Course Fee Schedule

Non-Refundable Fees:

  • Application Fee: $50.00/course (payable online and non-refundable)