To register, please complete the form located at this Microsoft Form. Please email training@acds.ca for questions or concerns.
Foundations in Community Disability Studies, was first developed in 2005. It was a collaborative effort of post-secondary, government, and service providers, in the province of Alberta. It is copyrighted to the Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) and is coordinated out of their offices in Calgary.
Building on 13 years of experience with the Basic Skills Training (BST) program we have kept the same successful Tutor supported in-service training model, but are now offering a more comprehensive work-based learning program. It is practical in focus and designed to teach real skills for the workplace.
It has become a benchmark with the industry and is quickly being accepted as required training for all entry level Community Disability Services Workers without previous related training or education.
This course provides a comprehensive orientation to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by staff in today's world. This is just the beginning of a challenging and rewarding career.
There are a total of 16 modules.
Section 1 has 5 modules.
Section 2 has 6 modules.
Section 3 has 5 modules.
There are two additional mandatory external modules: First Aid/CPR and Medical Administration.
Module 1: The Evolving Field of Community Disability Studies
Module 2: Values and Attitudes
Module 3: Common Disabilities
Module 4: Roles and Responsibilities
Module 5: Legislation and Human Rights Protection
Module 6: Safety Issues
Module 7: Ergonomics
Module 8: Adaptations and Accommodations
Module 9: Universal Precautions and Infection Control
Module 10: Personal Hygiene Support
Module 11: Nutrition and Mealtimes
Module 12: Promoting Wellness
Module 13: Facilitating Growth and Skill Development
Module 14: Interpersonal Communication
Module 15: Professional Communication
Module 16: Personal and Professional Competence
This delivery mode requires the support of an in-service trainer. Individual learners are registered through ACDS. The support of a mentor is required for the applied component to this course, referred to as the Skills Checklist. It is recommended that Mentors complete either the Foundations Train-the-Trainer or the online Fundamentals of Mentoring course.
Online Foundations is delivered via the internet with the exception of the applied Skills Checklist and several assignments which are completed in-house with a mentor. ACDS uses Moodle to deliver this course at www.moodle.acds.ca.
The online format currently has three start dates each year: April 1, August 1, & December 1. Learners are enrolled in a section and have three months to complete the section before enrollment in the next section. Overall, this course should take about one year to complete.
Once all 18 modules have been completed, a certificate of completion is awarded. Course completion time is approximately 75-90 hours.
Each module involves a knowledge test. The knowledge tests are multiple choice and various from 5-30 questions per module. Learners are required to have a mark of 80% to pass. Learners are only given 2 attempts to pass the test.
There is also a written assignment required for each module. Learners will be graded with a pass/fail for each written assignment to illustrate they understand and have apply the concepts to their daily work.
This skills checklist ensures that learners meet the required learning outcomes.
This training program was specifically designed for direct service workers in the evolving field of Community Disability Services. It has been designed to provide a comprehensive orientation to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by staff in today's world.
Subsidies are currently available for this course.
Member Pricing: $225 + $11.25GST = $236.25
Non-Member Pricing: $292.50 + $14.63 GST= $307.13
Replacement Learner Fee: $35 + $1.75 GST = $36.75
Fees need to be paid BEFORE course start date.
Written notice of cancellation must be received ten working days prior to the first day of this event for a full refund. Cancellations following this deadline will be subjected to a $35 + GST administrative fee.