1. The Disability Support Worker Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Chapter 3 Work effectively with people with a disability

2. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Models of disability Medical modelSocial model Personal problemSocial problem Individual treatmentNeed for social action Dominance by professionalsResponsibility shared by individual and everyone else in society Medical controlSelf -determination CareRights ControlChoice and decision making Prejudice and biasRights and responsibility Individual needing to adjustSociety needing to change

3. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Developmental disability Developmental disabilities mostly result from damage:  Before birth at the prenatal stage  Around birth (perinatal)  Neonatal and post natal

4. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Acquired disability People may also acquire a disability as a result of an accident, disease or during the process of ageing. Examples include:  Neurological impairment such as paraplegia and quadriplegia from a diving accident  Acquired brain injury from a car accident  Psychiatric illness from a post traumatic disorder from war service  Dementia including Alzheimer’s disease as an age related condition

5. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Loss and grief issues When an individual acquires a disability through injury or illness, which subsequently has a significant effect on their lifestyle, they go through a period of loss and grief for which they may require support

6. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Loss and grief issues According to Worden 1991 there are four stages of grieving and the stages are: (1) Acceptance of the reality of loss (2) Working through the pain (3) Adjusting to the environment (4) Moving on You should assist clients at each stage of the grieving process

7. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Loss and grief issues  Encourage people to talk in detail about acquiring the disability as it helps to accept the reality of the loss  Encourage people to express their emotional feelings  Encourage people to strengthen existing relationships and to develop new relationships  Take note of any maladaptive ways of coping, such as excessive alcohol consumption or smoking and seek specialist assistance  Be prepared to actively listen and to show genuine concern and avoid bland reassurance which is not helpful  Be aware of the physical symptoms that are a feature of normal grief, but do not disregard the possibility of physical illness  Speak to your supervisor and refer to help if required

8. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Issues in meeting individual needs and goals  You should use your interpersonal and communication skills to meet the individual needs and goals of people.  One of the most important factors in meeting individual needs and goals is a positive attitude  Your positive attitude should relate to providing support to maximise independence and opportunities for inclusion

9. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Family Support  Family and friends are often involved in providing personal care and/or support to an individual with a disability.  It is very important to ensure that families are well supported so that they can continue to provide this assistance  There are many different types of support that is available to families e.g. Respite care, support groups, counselling, home alterations and modifications

10. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Policy, standards and laws  The move away from an over-reliance on a medical model towards a social model has resulted in governments legislating to remove obstacles to enable people with a disability to participate in society  The context for the work that occurs in the sector relates to areas including: the Disability Services Act 1986 the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Disability Service Standards in each state

11. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Commitment to access and equity principles  As a disability worker your work involves strategies to remove barriers to enable people with a disability to participate in society.  Aim is to maximise access to valued opportunities and valued roles accepted in mainstream society.  Your role should therefore be reflective of the aims of the social model of disability in terms of empowering people with a disability to pursue their goals and ambitions

12. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Strategies to exercise rights and independence  Assist people to exercise their rights and independence whilst balancing any risks involved with reasonable measures  Get to know clients and using your intuition to introduce new experiences and to discover rights that really matter to individuals  Don’t be too rigid and if necessary adapt to changes in circumstances in the interests of enabling people with a disability to exercise their rights and independence

13. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Strategies to exercise rights and independence  Consult with your co-workers and your supervisor where you are unsure of how to assist individuals to exercise their rights and responsibilities  This is particularly important where you are balancing dignity of risk with the need to ensure duty of care to those you support.

14. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Strategies to exercise rights and independence  Look for opportunities to provide new experiences  Encourage contact with other people and networking  Directly empower people by involving them in decisions

15. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Ensuring client requirements are acknowledged  You should develop strategies that aim to maximise independence, to enable choices to be made and to provide for the rights and interests of clients  This requires that you take into account factors, which relate to each individual  These factors include: Individual needs An individual’s dreams, goals and interests An individual’s strengths skills and talents Support already available including family, financial, physical, emotional and behavioural, employment, education and training. Individual and cultural diversity attitudes and values

16. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Reporting situations which pose a health risk or safety concerns  You should always be alert to any issues in the overall environment that impact on health and safety for people with a disability, co-workers and members of the general public.  Aim is to eliminate or reduce any risks, by observing any unsafe situations and reporting your concerns in accordance with organisational procedures

17. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Reporting situations which pose a health risk or safety concerns  You need to be aware that you are working with the most vulnerable people in our society  You should be actively involved in responding to situations of risk or potential risk and report to appropriate people

18. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Supporting individuals in responding to situations of risk  Establish rapport so that you are able to help in minimising threats to health and safety.  Be prepared to listen and to directly follow up on any personal health and safety issues that are raised.  Use your observation skills to make sure you are 'tuned in' to any changes in demeanour, which may alert you to any concerns.  Empower people to take more control over situations and to minimise risks

19. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Supporting individuals in responding to situations of risk  Where required provide formal training to identify and respond to risk as a part of living skills.  Intervene and be prepared to protect people who are placed in a position of risk because of the actions of others.  Consult with others and be prepared to seek advice from your co-workers and supervisors on your concerns and on actions which you are considering.

20. Copyright © 2011 Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) – 9781442544529/Arnott/The Disability Support Worker IM Different areas of disability work in the sector Community development Education and training Health promotion Case management Person Centred Planning Behaviour management Working with families Peer support/self help Advocacy Home based support Employment support Lifestyle support