Understanding Disability

The following e-Learning modules have been written by People with Disability Australia (PWDA) and adapted for The Centre for Volunteering. 

The course content has been developed by those with lived experience of disability, as part of the Engage In Project. 

These modules can be completed independently in any order and can be accessed at any time.

Disability Confidence

In this module you will explore what disability is and the different types of disability.

Topics covered in this module:

1. Definitions of disability
2. History of disability
3. Four models of disability
4. Relevant issues impacting people with disability
5. Communicationg effectively with people with disability
6. Legislative frameworks around disability

Click HERE to launch the module

Facilitating Access

In this module you will gain an understanding of the barriers to inclusivity and explore ways to facilitate access.

Topics covered in this module:

1. Definitions of disability
2. Intersectionality
3. Ableism
4. Unconcious Bias
5. Inclusion: Barriers and Accessibility
6. Respectful Language and Engagement
7. Reasonable adjustments
8. Legislative frameworks around disability

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Psychosocial Disability

In this module what you will learn what Psychosocial Disability is and how to engage with people with lived experience.

Topics covered in this module:

1. Reframing trauma and pschosocial disability through the social model and human rights model lens
2. Critically reflecting on your own stigma, biases in relation to people with psychosocial disability
3. relevant issues impacting people with psychosocial disability
4. Diverse experiences of people living with psychosocial disability
5. Role of power and discrimination in order to understand its impacts on work practices
6. Building safety and trust through trauma informed practice
7. Ways to value and support people with lived experience within the workplace
8. Tools and skills that enable a conversation and rebuild safety and trust following a misunderstanding
9. Actions to enable you to become a good ally and an agent of social change

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Additional Resources

These resources have been produced in partnership between People with Disability Australia (PWDA) and The Centre for Volunteering. Additionally, resource insights have been assisted by The Centre for Volunteering’s Disability Advisory Group and members of the NSW volunteering sector.

These resources seek to ensure that volunteer-involving organisations are well placed to understand, support and engage with volunteers and potential volunteers with a Disability.