Course

Introduction to Issues in Disability Employment

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Disability & Community Studies
Course code
DACS 4131
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This upper-level undergraduate course examines historical and contemporary constructions of employment services and supports for people with disabilities and individuals who face barriers to employment. It will highlight various theoretical frameworks for interpreting the nature and meaning of employment. Additionally, it will provide an overview of areas of practice within employment supports, including relevant practical tools, strategies, and promising practices.
Course content

  • Review historical and contemporary constructs of disability employment services and support.

  • Explore models of pre-employment and transitional support.

  • Explore models of supported employment.

  • Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of employment models and frameworks.

  • Develop a conceptual understanding of the ableist structural conditions within labour markets. 

  • Explore ways of identifying and addressing barriers to employment.

  • Develop an overview of the roles and responsibilities of individuals providing support in the workplace.

  • Explore the values, ethics, and philosophy that underpin employment support services.

  • Consider principles of change, and leadership and how they affect employment supports.

Learning activities
In this course, students engage in a variety of learning activities such as lectures, group work, case studies, self-reflection, and team-based exercises.
Means of assessment

This course will conform to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations. Typical means of evaluation may include a combination of:  

  • Research and Reflection Papers 

  • Presentations  

  • Literature Reviews  

  • Case Studies and Critiques  

Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student’s graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor's course outline/syllabus. 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:  

  1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of historical and contemporary constructs of disability employment services and supports;  

  1. Describe the various theoretical frameworks interpreting the nature and meaning of employment;  

  1. Evaluate employment models in various contexts;  

  1. Analyze the applicability of various tools, strategies, and promising practices within employment support; and  

  1. Describe the values, ethics, and philosophy that underpin employment support services.  

Textbook materials

A list of required and recommended reading will be provided at the beginning of the semester.  Instructors are committed to prioritizing OER and publicly accessible resources

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

DACS 5131

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for DACS 4131
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV COMM_V 2nd (3)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
30
On waitlist
0
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
Section notes

DACS 4131 090 is an upper-level online asynchronous course restricted to DACS students. Other students admitted with department approval. It is recommended that students have access to a computer and high speed Internet.