DISMS25HKI Disability in Diverse Contexts (4cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The students will be able to:
• understand different types of disabilities
• understand the relevance of international agreements and Finnish disability policy and legislation including accessibility, inclusion and right to self-determination
• apply available services in work with people with disabilities
• recognise the impact of minority status on wellbeing

Content

Contents:
• Types of disabilities
• Accessibility, inclusion and right to self-determination
• Finnish disability policy and legislation, international agreements
• Service system
• Impact of minority status on wellbeing

Location and time

As in schedule: https://lukujarjestykset.diak.fi/

Materials

Hästbacka, E. (2021). Equal participation in society? : Perspectives on the opportunities of persons with disabilities in Finland. Doctoral thesis. Åbo Akademi University. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-12-4099-7 (chapter 2)

Katsui, H. & Laitinen, M. T. (2024). Introduction. In Hisayo Katsui & Matti T. Laitinen (eds.) Disability, Happiness and the Welfare State: Finland and the Nordic Model. Routledge. https://research.ebsco.com/c/22pw2c/search/details/wgyqvbzzpv?db=e001mww (Introduction chapter)

Saukkonen, E., Valmari, J. & Mietola R. (2024). The happiness of having a hobby: Inclusion of persons with disabilities in leisure activities.. In Hisayo Katsui & Matti T. Laitinen (eds.) Disability, Happiness and the Welfare State: Finland and the Nordic Model. Routledge. https://research.ebsco.com/c/22pw2c/search/details/wgyqvbzzpv?db=e001mww (chapter 8)

Finnish Institute for Health & Welfare (THL): Disability Inclusion Training material: chapters 2.3 Terminology  & 2.4 Practical guideline when meeting persons with disabilities (pp. 10-14)

Finnish Institute for Health & Welfare: Handbook on Disability Services. https://thl.fi/en/publications/handbooks/handbook-on-disability-services

Principles of disability policy (equality, participation, accessibility, services)
Process of social work 
Rights & legislation
Services with subjective rights 
Services bound to appropriations

Ministry of Social Affairs & Health - disability services, disability policy & legislation. https://stm.fi/en/disability-services

Tukiliitto. Samu is on the 9th grade among others. Samu on ysiluokkalainen muiden joukossa (English subtitles available). 2min 40s. [Youtube] https://youtu.be/DUD2fp9-OEE

Teaching methods

Study module follows blended learning. The course contains orientation and lectures, independent learning, supervision and exam.

Attendance to the orientation is a prerequisite to start the course unless agreed otherwise with the responsible teacher before the start of the course.

Lectures focus on disability legislation and policy, relevant national and international agreements, key concepts, types of disabilities, theoretical approaches, and work-life practices in the Finnish disability field. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is introduced.

Completion alternatives

Alternative way of completing the study module is only possible upon specific circumstances/criteria (i.e. sickness etc.). Personal reasons such as travel and work are not considered as acceptable criteria.

Alternative way of completing the study module must be agreed with the responsible teacher and/or study guidance counselor two weeks before the beginning of the study module the latest.

The alternative way of completing DIS study module is an exam during Diak´s general exam day.

Student workload

Orientation and lectures 21h
Supervision and self-reflection on disability issues 8h
Exam and course feedback 8h
Independent study (data search, reading, writing) 67h
Use of Diakle, course feedback survey, communication 4h
= 108h

Further information

The study module requires skills to use Diak´s online learning area. Possibility to get AHOT/RPL as described in Diak´s RPL/AHOT guidelines. No previous studies are required to attend the study module.