[afro-nets] New Course: Certificate in Disability Studies

[Mochana Phohole <mochana@med.up.ac.za>]

New Course: Certificate in Disability Studies
---------------------------------------------
 
The School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)is an ini-
tiative of the University of Pretoria to enhance its relevance 
and its ability to respond to the enormous challenges facing the 
health sector, both now and in the future.
 
The SHSPH comprises a multi-disciplinary group of local and in-
ternational experts, who combine their knowledge and experience 
in public health to deliver high quality education, research, 
consultancy service and advocacy. The focus of the School's work 
is on equity and quality in health care. Its area of operation 
includes both the public and private health sectors in develop-
ing and developed communities. The School focuses on South Afri-
can, African and global public health and health system priori-
ties.
 
 
Outline of certificate in Disability Studies
 
The certificate in disability studies is a new course offered by 
the School of Health Systems and Public Health. The course will 
provide students with an in-depth perspective on a wide range of 
disability issues. It is designed to create an increased aware-
ness of the socio-political context of disability and to enable 
students to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The 
SHSPH is the second institution in South Africa offering a 
course in Disability Studies (the other one is offered by the 
University of Cape Town) and is unique in the sense that it fo-
cuses on disability issues outside the clinical environment.
 
This post-graduate field of study is designed for leaders and 
managers working in the disability field. It is especially suit-
able for human resource personnel, service providers, practitio-
ners and policy makers from the business sector, public health 
institutions, education, health and social development depart-
ments, community organizations and advocacy groups and organiza-
tions
 
The Certificate in Disability Studies offers a qualification 
that:
Ø provides students with a comprehensive insight into the in-
creasing complexity surrounding disability issues.
 
Ø enables students to make sound decisions on assistive devices 
needed and how to reasonable accommodate people with disabili-
ties in all spheres of life.
 
Ø introduces students to challenges faced by persons with dis-
abilities and managers at the workplace and policies and acts in 
place to maintain equity for all
 
Ø prepares graduates to plan, manage and evaluate programmes in 
disability management in a variety of settings
 
Ø prepares graduates for leadership positions in disability man-
agement, research, policy and practice within a broad range of 
public and private organizations
 
The course is structured into four one-week modules, each built 
around a particular theme (see below). An assignment is set for 
each module to encourage students to apply their learning in 
their own work environment. All modules are ?on site?.
 
Lecturers with high levels of expertise and experience in their 
subject are drawn from the public, private and academic sectors.
 
Learning takes place through lectures, workshops and case stud-
ies in a participatory environment, with students learning from 
others' experiences.
 
The programme enables learning while in full time employment.
 
Modules that make up the course
(all compulsory for certificate purposes)
 
Introduction to Disability Studies (DST 870)
3- 7 May 2004
 
Assistive technology and Accommodation (DST 871)
7-11 June 2004
 
Childhood Disability Studies (DST 872
9-13 August 2004
 
Disability management (in the work place) [OHS 871]
25-29 October 2004
 
The overall aim of the module is to enable the student to evalu-
ate disability and to enable them to advise the employer on 
measures to accommodate people with disabilities in the t work-
place.
 
Enrolment and Fees
 
The level of this course requires a B-degree of higher but we do 
make exceptions for persons with comparable experience in dis-
ability issues.
 
The cost per module is ZAR 3,000. The cost for the certificate 
(4 modules) is ZAR 10,000 (at ZAR 2,500 per module). This in-
cludes handouts, teas, and lunches but not accommodation.
 
Closing date for all applications is 19 April 2004.
 
Contact Information
 
For logistical information of the CDS contact the Course Co-
ordinator (short courses) or the Education Programme Manager 
(registered full-time students):
 
Ms Alice Mkuzangwe
Course Co-ordinator
Tel: +27-12-420-5846
mailto:alice.ce@up.ac.za
 
 
For academic information on the CDS, contact
Ms Mochana Phohole
Tel: +27-12-841-3510 
Fax: +27-12-841-3308
mailto:mochana@med.up.ac.za
http://shsph.up.ac.za
 
 
Venue:
SHSPH (Map on website)
Building 22
CSIR Complex
Meiring Naude Road
Pretoria, South Africa
 
Please make cheques out to: School of Health Systems and Public 
Health, University of Pretoria