COURSE SYLLABUS: Rehabilitation, Diversity and Society
Course Title:
RS312 - Rehabilitation, Diversity and Society
Department:
Rehabilitation Services and Administration
Instructor:
Leah M. Klein, BSN, MSCI, MSSW, RN, LMSW, LCSW - E-mail
| Vita
Introduction:
Congratulations. Achieving a B.A. in Rehabilitation is a very good career decision. Today’s employers are searching for qualified professionals in these specialties, and rehabilitation is an exciting and rewarding field. Rehabilitation is a team effort, and you can be an important member of that team. Your ability to communicate well with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, social workers, occupational therapists, vocational counselors and family members is critical to the patient’s recovery of quality of life. Your specialist’s knowledge of the physical/psychosocial and cultural aspects of illness and injury will help the team help the patient. America is not a “melting pot” of cultures that blend into one. There is broad diversity. Your understanding of the cultural effects upon recovery will be valuable in communications with families.
Rehabilitation is not cure. Rehabilitation is a process, and the goal is to regain a quality life. As a specialist in rehabilitation, you will teach your patient to help him/herself, accept his/her disability, learn new behaviors, change attitudes, develop emotional strengths, and strive for independence. Rehabilitation is not measured in miles, but inches. For the patient, It’s learning to transfer from the bed to a wheel chair; it’s coming to terms with a different image of self; it’s achieving goals thought impossible. It’s regaining a life that’s meaningful and purposeful. Depending upon the culture, a patient’s injury/illness may cause them to be stigmatized, or to be considered sacred.
Rehabilitation specialists find employment in hospitals, clinics and education. You may find yourself a valuable member of a team at a spinal cord injury outpatient clinic. Or, working with brain injured patients in a neurobehavioral hospital. You may be employed in home health, assisting stoke patients towards a better life. The employment areas are varied, challenging and rewarding. You might choose to participate in community rehabilitation of the chronically mentally ill.
Computers and microchips have revolutionized rehabilitation. The use of lighter metals i.e., titanium have made prostheses easier to use. Telecommunications have been developed for the deaf (TDD) so that they are not isolated from society. Speech communications devices restore communication between family members and others. Since the early 1980’s, rehabilitation has evolved as science and technology developed assistive devices to increase independence. The downside of this is that resources are not available to all that need them. Therefore, the role of advocate seems to come naturally to rehabilitation specialists and is needed.
Course Description:
Public misperceptions and stigmatization create barriers to understanding disability and lead to discrimination in employment, housing, medical access and transportation. This course follows the development of public policy and entitlement programs that address these important issues and reveals the legislative impact on those with disabilities. The course explores the effects of culture on disability interventions and outcomes, and the role of advocacy on public perception.
What is the time frame for completion of this course?
You have two months to complete this comprehensive course. Since it is self-paced, you may progress through the program faster should you wish to do that. After finishing a module and examination, you may progress to the next exam.
Number of College Credits: 3
When may I start?
Once admitted, you may start anytime after receiving your texts for the module.
What type of exam will I take?
The exam is constructed of multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blanks and short essay
questions. You will pass the course if you achieve at least 70% correct answers on the exams.
Exams are taken online at the Canyon College website. You will find the answers in your text.
There will be a midterm exam, and a final paper at the end of the course. Once you enroll, more
information will be sent to you.
Cultures in Clinical Care .
Martin, et. al., 2001 ISBN #: 1556424590
The New Disability History: American Perspectives (History of Disability)
Paul K Longmore (Ed.) et al., 2001 ISBN #: 0814785646
The Rehabilitation Specialist’s Handbook.
Rothstein, et al., 1998 ISBN #: 080360047X
Where can I purchase textbooks?
You have freedom of choice. Canyon College has an online bookstore. Amazon.com is also a resource. It is possible to buy very good used copies of texts from Amazon.com stores. Borders and Hastings bookstores are another possibility. You are expected to purchase books on your own.
About the Instructor
My name is Leah Meredith Klein. I graduated with a BSN from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia. I later graduated with a Master of Curriculum and Instruction (in the field of nursing education) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison at Madison, Wisconsin. Later, I returned to UW-Madison to complete a Master of Science of Social Work. I have blended the two fields in case management and rehabilitation during my thirty-year experience in the fields. My experience has included teaching, research, case management, and private practice psychotherapy. I am also an avid kayaker and when I’m not at my computer, I’m on the water.
Current Licenses and Certifications:
Registered Nurse—Texas
Licensed Master Social Worker—Texas
Qualified Mental Health Professional—Rehabilitation Specialist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker—Wisconsin
Disaster Mental Health Specialist: American Red Cross
(See vitae)
How can I communicate with other students?
Canyon College has provided an Online Message Board for posting news, events, and matters of professional interest from/to students.
After registering, you will have access to the virtual classroom. You can also access the Chat Room via the classroom at the Canyon College web site. Chats may be scheduled depending on time zone requirements, and you will be notified by email so that you can participate in group discussions, Q & A and networking. More information on these communication tools will be given after you register.
What Are the Course Objectives?
As a result of completing this course, students will be able to:
Understand the effects of public policy on disabled citizens.
Identify major rehabilitation legislation and the Acts’ effects.
Understand the role of advocacy on public policy.
Describe how cultural diversity impacts outcomes.
Compare and contrast gender and cultural acceptance/non-
acceptance of disabilities
Recognize adjustment as a function of role, values and self-image
Advocate against stereotypes and stigmatization of the disabled and barriers to employment, housing, medical access and transportation.
Understand community based rehabilitation in selected populations.
Develop an ethics based practice.
Lecture Topics:
Historical perspective of disability and social advocacy.
Public policy regarding disability and opportunity for persons with disabilities to participate fully in society.
Introduction to cultural competence in service to clients and communities.
Independent living programs and special populations: overcoming stigma.
Agency and community partnerships.
Role of staff and agencies in fulfilling supportive and rehabilitative services.
The role of advocacy in rehabilitation practice.
Ethics based practice.
Required Reading:
Week #1-2: The Rehabilitation Specialist’s Handbook, Chapter 1. The New Disability History: American Perspectives, Introduction, Chapters 1, 2 and 4.
Weeks #3-8: Cultures in Clincal Care, all chapters New Disability History: American Perspectives, chapters 11, 13 & 14.
