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Unit of study_

REHB5931: Disability, Public Policy, and Change

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

The unit covers disability policy and its expression in legislation, governance, services, and politics. Students will study the origins and evolution of disability policy to better comprehend the values that drive change and the real world challenges that shape it. Disability inclusion in policy will be explored across sectors as well as disability-specific initiatives. Beyond understanding policy frameworks, students will reflect on the role of advocacy in creating positive change in the public weal on behalf of people with disabilities. Student project will focus on generating student positions on current policy issues.

Unit details and rules

Unit code REHB5931
Academic unit Participation Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
REHB5079
Prerequisites
? 
REHB5911
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Serene Lin-Stephens, serene.lin-stephens@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Quizzes
Online quizzes
25% Multiple weeks 90 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Skills clinic portfolio paper
Essay
50% Multiple weeks 3000-5000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Participation (PT & AT)
Active participation during tutorials or one line contribution by submissio
25% Weekly 1 hour approximately each week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1.01 What is Advocacy? 3.01 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 02 1.02 What is Empowerment? 1.03 Disability Rights Movement 3.02 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 03 1.03 Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 & Primary Health Care 3.03 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 04 1.04 Evolution of the UNCRPD 3.04 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 05 1.05 World Report on Disability 3.05 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 06 1.06 Global Disability Action Plan 3.06 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 07 1.07 Australian Disability Legislation & Community-Based Rehabilitation 3.07 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 08 2.01 NDIS Origin 3.08 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 09 2.02 NDIS Issues 3.09 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 10 2.03 iCare Origins 3.10 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 11 2.04 iCare Issues 3.11 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 12 2.05 First Peoples Advocacy & Disability 3.12 Advocacy Project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 13 2.06 Professional Ethos & Ethical Codes 3.13 Advocacy Project Integration Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Participation in all unit of study activities is required. All students attend online weekly tutorial or alternative tutorials. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Explain the implications of rights-based legislation for people with disabilities, their families, carers and advocates in order to inform advocacy work engaged by rehabilitation counsellors.
  • LO2. Describe the developmental history of disability rights policy in order to fully understand the drivers and obligations of disability services and schemes in Australia.
  • LO3. Critique the strategy, success and failings of Australian disability schemes from the perspective of disability rights and the rehabilitation counselling profession in order to advocate on behalf of the profession and our clients in the system.
  • LO4. Reconcile the emerging international model of rehabilitation counselling with issues of current practice in Australia in order to clarify your position as an advocate for the profession.
  • LO5. Interview a person with a disability, their family member, carer, or advocate in order to deepen your understanding of the lived experience of empowerment and advocacy.
  • LO6. Collaborate in an advocacy project in order to experience advocacy as a function of the professional rehabilitation counsellor role.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Reduced the overlap with REHB5941

More information can be found on Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.