Online

Foundations in Community Disability Studies has been a core educational resource offered by the Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) since 2005. This version of the course is a blended model, combining online study with face-to-face activities between each learner and their mentor.

Foundations in Community Disability Services 

This training program was specifically designed for direct service workers already working in the evolving field of Community Disability Services. It will provide a comprehensive orientation to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by staff in today’s world. This is just the beginning of a challenging and rewarding career. 

E-Learning Version: is a blended version, involving both an online facilitators and an in-house mentor, to ensure knowledge, skills, values are addressed in the training. 

Course Content: Section 1: Setting the Stage 

• Module 1: The Evolving Field of Community Disability Studies 

1. Unit 1: Development of Community Disability Services 
   
2. Unit 2: Role of Government and Community Boards 
   

• Module 2: Legislation and Human Rights Protection 

1. Unit 1: Development of Human Rights Legislation in Canada 
   
2. Unit 2: Human Rights Legislation in Alberta 
   

• Module 3: Values and Attitudes 

1. Unit 1: Professional Values and Beliefs 
   
2. Unit 2: Examining Your Values and Beliefs 
   

• Module 4: Roles and Responsibilities 

1. Unit 1: Getting to Know the Person 
   
2. Unit 2: Promoting Personal Growth and Self-Determination 
   
3. Unit 3: Building Community 
   
4. Unit 4: Recognizing and Taking Action in Abusive Situations 
   

• Module 5: Definitions and Characteristics of Some Common Disabilities 

1. Unit 1: Understanding a Disability Label 
   
2. Unit 2: Developmental Disabilities 
3. Unit 3: Physical Disabilities 
4. Unit 4: Emotional and Behavioural Disorders 
5. Unit 5: Health Impairments
   

Please visit our website to enroll in the course online. Feel free to contact training@acds.ca for any additional questions.

Foundations in Community Disability Services 

This training program was specifically designed for direct service workers already working in the evolving field of Community Disability Services. It will provide a comprehensive orientation to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by staff in today’s world. This is just the beginning of a challenging and rewarding career. 

E-Learning Version: is a blended version, involving both an online facilitators and an in-house mentor, to ensure knowledge, skills, values are addressed in the training. 

• Module 6: Safety Issues 
  

1. Unit 1: Safe Environments 
   
2. Unit 2: First Aid 
   
3. Unit 3: Emergency Plans and Procedures 
   

• Module 7: Ergonomics for Safe Lifting and Transferring 
  

1. Unit 1: The Back 
   
2. Unit 2: Body Mechanics 
   
3. Unit 3: Back Injury 
   
4. Unit 4: Lifts and Transfers 
   

• Module 8: Adaptive Equipment 
  

1. Unit 1: Clothing and Kitchen Aids 
   
2. Unit 2: Communication Aids 
   
3. Unit 3: Mobility Aids 
   
4. Unit 4: Assistive Devices 
   

• Module 9: Universal Precautions and Infection Control 
  

1. Unit 1: The Chain of Infection 
   
2. Unit 2: Routine Practices of Universal Precautions 
   
3. Unit 3: Serious Diseases Requiring Extra Precautions 
   
4. Unit 4: Keeping Yourself Healthy 
   

• Module 10: Personal Hygiene Support 
  

1. Unit 1: Core Values 
   
2. Unit 2: Personal Hygiene Procedures 
   
3. Unit 3: Repositioning 
   

• Module 11: Mealtimes and Nutrition 
  

1. Unit 1: Wellness and Nutrition 
   
2. Unit 2: Mealtimes 
   
3. Unit 3: Assisting with Eating and Positioning 
   
4. Unit 4: Non-Nutritive Mealtime Program 
   
5. Unit 5: Safe Food Handling
   

Please visit our website to enroll in the course online. Feel free to contact training@acds.ca for any additional questions.

Foundations in Community Disability Services 

This training program was specifically designed for direct service workers already working in the evolving field of Community Disability Services. It will provide a comprehensive orientation to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed by staff in today’s world. This is just the beginning of a challenging and rewarding career. 

E-Learning Version: is a blended version, involving both an online facilitators and an in-house mentor, to ensure knowledge, skills, values are addressed in the training. 

• Module 12: Promoting Wellness 
  

1. Unit 1: Healthy Choices to Maintain or Promote Wellness 
   
2. Unit 2: Observing Changes Related to Physical Wellness 
   
3. Unit 3: Emotional Health and Mental Illness 
   
4. Unit 4: Documentation 
   
5. Unit 5: Epilepsy 
   
6. Unit 6: Sensory Integration 
   

• Module 13: Facilitating Growth and Skill Development 
  

1. Unit 1: The Planning Process 
   
2. Unit 2: Facilitating Learning 
   
3. Unit 3: Data Collecting and Graphing 
   
4. Unit 4: Developing New Skills for Living in the Community 
   

• Module 14: Interpersonal Communication 
  

1. Unit 1: Verbal Communication 
   
2. Unit 2: Non-Verbal Communication 
   
3. Unit 3: Constructive Communications in Difficult Situations 
   

• Module 15: Professional Communication Skills 
  

1. Unit 1: Effective Written Communication 
   
2. Unit 2: Effective Meeting Participation 
   
3. Unit 3: Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution 
   

• Module 16: Personal and Professional Competence 
  

1. Unit 1: What Is Stress? 
   
2. Unit 2: Stress Management 
   
3. Unit 3: Burnout 
   
4. Unit 4: Commitment to Lifelong Learning
   

Please visit our website to enroll in the course online. Feel free to contact training@acds.ca for any additional questions.