Disability and Community Support

What does it take to help someone with a disability live, learn and work on their own terms? RRC Polytech’s Disability and Community Support programme answers that question over two years and four terms at the Notre Dame Campus in northwest Winnipeg, leading to a diploma and hands-on experience as a Direct Support Professional in residential, educational, employment and community settings.

Term 1 introduces Values and Issues in Disability, Supported Community Living, Employment and Disability, Communication Strategies and Academic Writing. Term 2 continues with Exploring Disabilities, Understanding Complex Behaviour, Applied Teaching and Learning, Essential Communication in Human Service and A Context for Practice With Indigenous Peoples. In Term 3 you study Augmentative and Alternative Communication, Inclusive Education, Applied Literacy, Advocacy and Disability and Conceptual Frameworks in Disability Services, and Term 4 closes with Disability and Mental Health, Person Centered Planning, Sexuality and Relationships, Community Membership and Leadership and Teamwork in Human Services Settings.

Practice runs through every term via four practicum placements: two in residential or employment and day services, one in an educational setting and a final culminating placement. Students can take unpaid placements arranged by the programme or a paid practicum in a student-secured, programme-approved position. RRC Polytech also offers a joint degree option with the University of Winnipeg, credit transfer opportunities with other universities and an optional one-year certificate exit. Criminal Record, Child Abuse Registry and Adult Abuse Registry checks follow enrolment, because direct support work involves vulnerable people.

Graduates of Disability and Community Support work as direct support professionals, educational assistants, supported employment facilitators, residential support workers and day programme workers, and with experience some move into supervisory roles in disability services. The programme suits patient, respectful people who believe in inclusion and want a career built around relationships with the people they support.