Earning a certification in disability studies affirmations your commitment to delivering the best service to customers or clients. Disability studies revolve around the cultural, social and political implications of advocacies for different types of disabilities.
Advanced courses in disability studies focus on the clinical and therapeutic perspectives of disabilities. It rejects the notion that having a disability is an issue that should be fixed or a barrier to normal existence. It must be emphasized that having a disability is both a physical condition and a social construct. This includes persons who are:
- hard of hearing
- visually impaired
- mobility challenged
- those who exhibit behaviors outside the norm
Anyone whose primary tasks deal with these groups will benefit from engaging in disability studies.
Health Care Providers in Various Specializations
Health care providers routinely interact with patients of different abilities. Treatments and care plans are recommended by the medical team, consisting of doctors, nurses and rehab specialists. Recommendations may or may not be related to the patient’s disability, but accommodations may be in order nonetheless. Disability studies will help health care providers empathize with patients. They want to offer effective and condition-sensitive interventions while ensuring positive outcomes for every encounter.
Educators
Developmental years include:
- preschool
- primary school
- middle school
Teachers are often given the task of managing and contributing to the skills development of students classified as disabled. In the school environment, disability studies explore the impact and utility of:
- categorization
- labeling
- groupings
Social Workers
A certification in disability studies is a valuable credential for professionals who deal directly with affected groups and who have to advocate on their behalf. These professionals are expected to have an in-depth understanding of the special circumstances and coping mechanisms of physically disabled persons. However, it never hurts to continue to hone this skill set and sensitivity to respond to client needs appropriately.
Legal Professionals
Anyone who leads advocacy movements on behalf of disabled persons will benefit from completing a certificate program on disability studies. Lawyers and the support teams who champion causes that seek to assert the rights of disabled persons will benefit. These programs focus on social, cultural and political barriers that prevent disabled groups from living their life to the fullest.
Many changes have been made to building regulations. There are also changes in the design and construction guidelines to accommodate the specific needs of disabled persons. The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted to safeguard the rights of disabled groups, Lawyers need to step up to ensure equal enforcement of the the law.
Related Resource: 20 Best Deals on Colleges for Disability Studies
Public Health Advocates and Policy Experts
Public health professionals and policy experts may not have direct contact with disabled groups. But exposure to the topics covered in disability studies will influence the initiatives they opt to support. Many topics help frame the initiatives that these professionals will support. These include:
- ethical practices for disability advocates
- disability laws
- trends in disability care
Providers who offer any type of service for the disabled or who interact with these groups will benefit from a certification in disability studies. This will enhance your resume and build your expertise in this field. You will be doing your clients or patients a favor if you study what matters to them and how systems can be improved to enhance their quality of life.