Career Opportunities

Lethbridge College’s Disability and Community Rehabilitation graduates are highly valued by human service agencies across Western Canada. Career opportunities include:

• Vocational Support Worker
• Employment Training Specialist
• Special Needs Daycare Worker
• Special Education Assistant
• Residential Team Leader
• Community Support Worker
• Recreation Specialist
• Assisted Living Worker
• Behavioural Support Worker
• Therapy Aide
• Rehabilitation Practitioner
• Advocacy and Family Liaison
• Planning Facilitator

Admissions

Students are accepted into the Disability and Community Rehabilitation Certificate program for the Fall (September), Winter (January), or Summer (May) terms. The entire certificate and diploma program is offered through Distributed Learning. Students can take the program on a full-time or part-time basis.

Students are accepted into the second year of the Diploma based on the completion of the Disability and Community Rehabilitation Certificate or the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Education Certificate. Students from other programs and post-secondary institutions who have completed similar programs will be assessed individually for placement in the Disability and Community Rehabilitation Diploma.

Academic Requirements
Applicants to the Certificate program are required to have an Alberta High School Diploma or equivalent with credit in English Language Arts (ELA) 30-1 or 30-2.

Admission into the Diploma in Disability and Community Rehabilitation requires that
students have successfully completed the Certificate in Disability and Community Rehabilitation or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Education. Other Human Service Certificate programs may be accepted.

Applicants lacking academic prerequisites may seek Alternate Admission, which will involve a review of education and work experience. The Alternate Admission process will require that students complete placement testing for assessment in Reading and Sentence Skills. Applicants seeking this process for admission are strongly encouraged to contact the program prior to application.

Practicum Experience Requirements
There is a required practicum component to this program. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the practicum experience. Failure by the student to accept by way of legal contract and abide by these terms and conditions will result in non-completion of the program.

Applicants are advised they will be required to provide a current Criminal Record Check before entering the first practicum course of the program. Depending on the placement location, students may also be required to obtain an Alberta Children’s Services Intervention Record Check. Students are responsible for the costs associated with these requirements. Failure to present a current Criminal Record Check or other documents may result in a practicum placement being unavailable to the student. The existence of a criminal record may affect practicum placements, program completion and employment prospects. The consequences of a prior criminal conviction will be examined and discussed on an individual basis.

Medical Requirements
Applicants are encouraged to review their immunization records and current state of health before beginning the practicum experiences required in the program. Applicants are advised to ensure they possess the physical and mental/emotional attributes needed to perform many of the duties associated with disability services.

Applicants who lack the required academic admission requirements can apply to the College and University Preparatory Program to upgrade for your program.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
If you have experience working in this field of study, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Please direct your inquiries to the Program Chair.

Your Investment

Fees vary from program to program. To view fee information for your selected program, see the Academic Year Cost Sheet and Fees and Financial Information.

Curriculum

For full course description information, please click here.

DL indicates courses available through Distributed Learning.

Some courses are also available on-campus. Please refer to the online Academic Timetable for course availability.

Special Note: The Disability and Community Rehabilitation Certificate and the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Education Certificate will transfer directly into the second year of the Disability and Community Rehabilitation Diploma.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of Year I program requirements, students are awarded a Disability and Community Rehabilitation Certificate. Upon successful completion of Year II requirements, students are awarded a Disability and Community Rehabilitation Diploma.

Transfers

Alberta Colleges • There are some curriculum differences between Disability Studies programs offered across the province. Transferability of courses will vary from one college to another. Students transferring from other Disability Studies programs taken at other post-secondary institutions in Alberta will have transfer credit evaluated on a course-by-course basis.

University of Calgary • Graduates may receive up to two years credit toward the University of Calgary’s Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation Degree.

Athabasca University • Graduates of the
Diploma in Disability and Community Rehabilitation may receive up to two years credit towards the Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services Degree, at Athabasca University.

University of Victoria • Lethbridge College’s Disability and Community Rehabilitation program is part of a collaborative transfer agreement between Alberta colleges and the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria.

Ryerson University • Graduates may receive up to two years credit towards a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Disability Studies.