Disability studies Postgraduate Diploma (MG016 2015 DSP PG Dip)

The programme is for disabled and non-disabled managers in national, provincial and local governance structures; disability activists; service providers in NGOs, civil society, public and private sectors, including health professionals, social workers, teachers, human resource managers, policy makers and staff of higher education institutions across different faculties. This programme develops an understanding of disability as an issue of diversity with deep psychological roots that results in social injustice because of power and privilege that favours the non-disabled norm. The course enables students to critically engage with research in the light of the transformative aims of the disability practitioner and to become familiar with the discipline of Disability Studies with conceptual understanding and the ability to communicate critical thinking and reasoning in academically rigorous ways.

Students learned how to monitor the capacity of government, civil society and development agencies to implement strategies that lead to the equalisation of opportunity and social justice for disabled people. They are taught to understand theories of development and how disability inclusion can occur within these processes. The Diploma is comprised of the following courses AHS4117S Critical Priorities in Disability and Development, AHS4118S Monitoring Disability in Society, AHS4089F Introduction to Disability as Diversity, AHS4091W Developing Critical Research Literacy. However, for the purpose of this project, we will particularly focus on the Critical Priorities in Disability and Development (CPDD) course.