Disability and Social Justice: Practice, Policy, Research, and Advocacy Across the Lifespan
SOWK 5360/7360
3 hours
Disability and Social Justice: Practice, Policy, Research, and Advocacy Across the Lifespan
Course Description
Focuses on the diversity of disability and promoting social justice for people with disabilities and their families across the lifespan. Content includes disability models, U.S. disability history, challenges, available services, and social work’s role in supporting and advocating with disability subpopulations to improve access, equity, quality of life, and well-being.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students: Graduate students will be required to write a minimum of 600
words for all required reflection papers. Undergraduates will
be required to write a minimum of 300 words for these
assignments. Graduate students will be required to complete
one additional assignment: an in-depth analysis of a specific
sub-population within the disability community, describe
potential areas of social work intervention for that group,
and an area of advocacy for that group (8-10 pages).
Undergraduates will be exempt from this requirement.
Athena Title
Disability and Social Justice
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in SOWK 5360E, SOWK 5360S or SOWK 7360E, SOWK 7360S
Prerequisite
Any 2000-level SOWK course and (SOWK 5340 or SOWK 5340E) and (SOWK 5524 or SOWK 5524E)
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to apply proper disability language and etiquette.
By the end of this course, students will be able to contrast differing models of disability.
By the end of this course, students will be able to examine ethical issues pertaining to the past, present, and future treatment of people with disabilities in society.
By the end of this course, students will be able to identify and apply the principles of the disability justice framework.
By the end of this course, students will be able to define and apply concepts of self-determination, community integration, and inclusion.
By the end of this course, students will be able to understand the role of advocacy in shaping U.S disability policy.
By the end of this course, students will be able to interpret policies that impact people with disabilities.
By the end of this course, students will be able to investigate accessibility in their communities.
By the end of this course, students will be able to describe how labels and stigma create and reinforce stereotypes and representations.
By the end of this course, students will be able to explain how disability is a form of cultural diversity.
By the end of this course, students will be able to describe factors that impact the health, services, and quality of life of people with disabilities.
By the end of this course, students will be able to describe service delivery networks that serve people with disabilities in Georgia and nationally.
By the end of this course, students will be able to describe subpopulations within the disability community and areas for social work intervention and advocacy.
By the end of this course, students will be able to understand the role of the person and family on interdisciplinary teams.
Models of Disability-Traditional, Medical, Rehabilitation, Social
History of Institutionalization, Segregation, and Reintegration
Disability Rights Movement; Disability Policy (including DD Act; IDEA; Georgia’s Developmental Disability Network: Georgia Advocacy Office, Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities; University Centers on Developmental Disabilities; Centers for Independent Living)
Persistent Challenges: Accessibility of the Built Environment
Persistent Challenges: Navigating Social, Educational, and Informational Environments
Persistent Challenges: Roles and Representations of People with Disabilities, including Disability in the Media and
Relationships and Sexuality
Persistent Challenges: Health Disparities; Research-related Challenges
Persistent Challenges: The Need for Cultural and Linguistic Competence
Disability Practice: Supporting Families Through the Diagnostic Process
Disability Practice: Working with People with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Disability Practice: Working with People with Head and Spinal Cord Injuries
Disability Practice: Working with People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Disability Practice: Working with Children with Special Health Care Needs
Disability Practice: Interdisciplinary Teaming to Support People with Disabilities and Their Families (Elevating the Family and Patient’s Role)
Disability Practice: Resource Linkages and Assistive Technology
