Disability & Community Studies (was Rehabilitation Services)
Contact:
Deena Martin
Chairperson
Program Information:
E-mail: inquire@rdc.ab.ca
Phone: 403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Two-Year Diploma
No longer accepting applications for Year One.
The Program
The faculty of the Disability and Community Studies Program partners with students to develop professionals who work competently and effectively with persons with disabilities. Emphasis is given to ensuring that the graduating professional can effectively assist and enable individuals with disabilities to design and develop their own quality of life.
Related Careers
This is a very exciting profession! The Disability and Community Studies Practitioner's roles are many: counselling, teaching, consulting, brokering, and advocating. You will have the opportunity to provide leadership in your community in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities to live fully inclusive lives.
Graduating professionals find employment in a variety of private and government agencies. Employment is found in five basic domains: schools, vocational/employment programs, community programs, and residential living programs. Employment is found in many areas and the graduate is prepared to work effectively with individuals with many different disabilities, disorders, or conditions.
Transfer Features
Having credit from other programs can earn advanced credit towards a diploma. Present your transcripts to the Registrar. Advanced credit applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you have completed part or all of the first year of an Alberta College Rehabilitation Program, you must also apply for a course by course transfer. Contact the chairperson for this assessment. Students who have completed the Basic Skills Training Program (BST) prior to entering the program may receive credit for DACS 207.
Students wishing to transfer from RDC to another college program following completion of the first year, should contact the chairperson of that college's program early in the first year to determine accurate transfer requirements.
The diploma transfers to the Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation & Disability Studies degree program at the University of Calgary. The diploma is the first two years of the degree program. Students transferring to the U of C also need to meet the University's English entrance criteria and complete a college level, human science course (BIOL 201 is preferred). See program Chairperson for further information.
Admission Requirements
1. High School Diploma with a minimum mark of 50% in ELA 30-1
OR
a minimum mark of 65% in ELA 30-2
OR
2. Mature Student
You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school at least one full year before the program starts, and have
no mark below 50% in ELA 30-1
OR
a minimum mark of 65% in ELA 30-2
OR
a minimum score at the 50th percentile on the English component of the College Board Placement Test (written on campus) or the Test of Adult Basic Education (written off campus) and a score of 2-3 on a writing sample.
Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Criminal Record Check to some agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of a criminal record may prevent clinical, practicum or field placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore, may affect employment prospects. It is each agency's or institution's decision to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the criminal record check.
Part-Time Students
Part-time students are accepted into the program. These students should meet with the Chairperson to arrange a schedule that meets their needs. Part-time students may begin their course of studies in Fall or Winter term.
Disability and Community Studies courses are now being scheduled in the evening. Students who do not meet the program Entrance criteria may enroll in these evening courses as a means of qualifying for acceptance into the Diploma Program. Please see the Chairperson for further information.
Class Attendance
Attending classes regularly is essential.
Communications Course Placement Testing
Students will be required to take a College placement test before registering in a written communications course. (Students with 60% or greater in ELA 30-1 will be exempted from this test.) Students who do not achieve a satisfactory mark in this test will be required to complete COMM 150 before they can register in the required course, COMM 254. Students should take the placement test early in the event preparatory work (COMM 150) is required.
Program Content
Year 1
Year 2
Program Cost Estimates - 2009/2010
Special Fees and Expenses
* Block Practicum: You will spend six weeks of your first year and three months of your second year in full-time work placements. DACS 208 is usually completed in the Red Deer area, but you may be allowed to go to agencies elsewhere for other placements. You should expect some extra costs for moving, travel, residence, clothes, etc. These costs are your responsibility.
Graduation Requirements
You must pass all courses, and present a valid St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid Certificate with C.P.R. (or Red Cross equivalent).