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.

Section 1: Setting the Stage

  • Module 1: The Evolving Field of Community Disability Studies&
    • Unit 1: Development of Community Disability Services
    • Unit 2: Role of Government and Community Boards
  • Module 2: Legislation and Human Rights Protection&
    • Unit 1: Development of Human Rights Legislation in Canada
    • Unit 2: Human Rights Legislation in Alberta
  • Module 3: Values and Attitudes&
    • Unit 1: Professional Values and Beliefs
    • Unit 2: Examining Your Values and Beliefs
  • Module 4: Roles and Responsibilities
    • Unit 1: Getting to Know thef< Person
    • Unit 2: Promoting Personal Growth and Self-Determination
    • Unit 3: Building Community
    • Unit 4: Recognizing and Taking Action in Abusive Situations
  • Module 5: Definitions and Characteristics of Some Common Disabilities&
    • Unit 1: Understanding a Disability Label
    • Unit 2: Developmental Disabilities&
    • Unit 3: Physical Disabilities&
    • Unit 4: Emotional and Behavioural Disorders&
    • Unit 5: Health Impairments

Section 2: Getting the Basics

  • Module 6: Safety Issues 

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

  • Module 7: Ergonomics for Safe Lifting and Transferring 

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

  • Module 8: Adaptive Equipment 

    • Unit 1: Clothing and Kitchen Aids 
    • Unit 2: Communication Aids 
    • Unit 3: Mobility Aids 
    • Unit 4: Assistive Devices
  • Module 9: Universal Precautions and Infection Control
    • Unit 1: The Chain of Infection
    • Unit 2: Routine Practices of Universal Precautions
    • Unit 3: Serious Diseases Requiring Extra Precautions
    • Unit 4: Keeping Yourself Healthy
  • Module 10: Personal Hygiene Support
    • Unit 1: Core Values
    • Unit 2: Personal Hygiene Procedures
    • Unit 3: Repositioning
  • Module 11: Mealtimes and Nutrition
    • Unit 1: Wellness and Nutrition
    • Unit 2: Mealtimes
    • Unit 3: Assisting with Eating and Positioning
    • Unit 4: Non-Nutritive Mealtime Program
    • Unit 5: Safe Food Handling

Section 3: Being Professional

Module 12: Promoting Wellness

    • Unit 1: Healthy Choices to Maintain or Promote Wellness
    • Unit 2: Observing Changes Related to Physical Wellness
    • Unit 3: Emotional Health and Mental Illness
    • Unit 4: Documentation
    • Unit 5: Epilepsy
    • Unit 6: Sensory Integration
  • Module 13: Facilitating Growth and Skill Development
    • Unit 1: The Planning Process
    • Unit 2: Facilitating Learning
    • Unit 3: Data Collecting and Graphing
    • Unit 4: Developing New Skills for Living in the Community
  • Module 14: Interpersonal Communication
    • Unit 1: Verbal Communication
    • Unit 2: Non-Verbal Communication
    • Unit 3: Constructive Communications in Difficult Situations
  • Module 15: Professional Communication Skills
    • Unit 1: Effective Written Communication
    • Unit 2: Effective Meeting Participation
    • Unit 3: Problem Solving and Conflict Resolution
  • Module 16: Personal and Professional Competence
    • Unit 1: What Is Stress?
    • Unit 2: Stress Management
    • Unit 3: Burnout
    • Unit 4: Commitment to Lifelong Learning

Please visit our website to enroll in the course online. Contact kakoli@acds.ca with any questions.

Last modified: Wednesday, July 3, 2019, 8:39 AM