Duration: 4 years (8 semesters)
About the programme
The BSc degree in Disability and Rehabilitation Studies is a 4-year full-time competency-based programme comprising course work and research, with a strong component of fieldwork and community attachment. The philosophy behind the programme is the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) concept, structured around five broad components of Health, Education, Livelihood, Social and Empowerment.
In Ghana issues related to disability appears inadequate, though according to WHO estimates, a significant proportion of the population (15%) is suffering from various forms of disability related to vision, hearing, speech, movement, and learning notwithstanding the global call for the inclusion of Persons With Disability in society.
The current mechanism in place is highly inadequate as far as early detection and prevention of disability are concerned. In view of fact that about 75% of the disability is preventable, this course is designed to harness the human resource needs for Ghana in this area. With a limited scope as regards capacity building in the area of Disability and Rehabilitation, there are inadequate numbers of personnel in the disability field and also inadequate level and scope of their training. Most of the professionals available are either working on part-time or post-retirement contracts.
At its round-table conference on human resources in 2008, the Ministry of Health of Ghana on realizing the apparent neglect of the area of disability and rehabilitation has decided to focus attention on the human resource capacity building in this area. Therefore, there is no better time than now to mount such programmes in Ghana. Not only will it provide the human resource needs of Ghana in the area of disability and rehabilitation, but also that of the nations within the West African sub-region, and beyond.
The programme will produce practitioners who will enhance access and inclusion of Persons with Disabilities into mainstream services and programmes, thereby improving their quality of life.
AIM: The programme aims to train competent Disability and Rehabilitation practitioners who would be able to integrate the knowledge and skills, and evidence-based information generated through quality research in the prevention of disability and rehabilitation of Persons with Disability.
Objectives:
On completion of the programme, students should be able to:
- Conduct individual and environmental assessment for the purpose of providing the appropriate service for persons with disability in the health, social, educational, empowerment and livelihood domains.
- Act as a resource person in Community Development and Mobilization for Persons with Disability
- Provide guidance and counselling services to Persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
- Demonstrate ability to initiate, coordinate and sustain a strong network and mediatory mechanism within the communities to support Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programmes.
Plan, implement and evaluate training programmes and also conduct quality research to provide evidence-based information which can inform and direct appropriate policies in the area of disability and rehabilitation at
Entry requirement:
The course is intended for:
1. SSSCE/WASSCE Holders with PASSES not lower than B3 in any of the THREE WASSCE/SSSCE Core Subjects (English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science), plus CREDIT in THREE WASSCE/SSSCECE Elective subjects from the following groupings;
- SCIENCE: Biology, Chemistry plus Mathematics or Physics.
- GENERAL ARTS: Geography, Economics, Government, English Language, History, Religious Studies, French, Ghanaian Languages etc.
- VISUAL ARTS: General Knowledge in Art, Picture Making and/or Graphic Design plus Textiles or Sculpture or Leatherwork.
- VOCATIONAL/HOME ECONOMICS: General Knowledge in Art, Management in Living plus either Food and Nutrition or Clothing and Textiles.
- BUSINESS: Economics, Accounting, Introduction to Business Management, Business Mathematics, Principles of Costing and Elective Mathematics.
2. OR ‘A’ Level applicants with Five (5) Credits at the GCE ‘O’ Level including English Language, Mathematics, and General Science and at least TWO (2) passes at the GCE ‘A’ level in the relevant subject areas as indicated in (a) above.
3. Mature applicants must have attained the age of 25 years at the time of submitting the application forms with at least THREE (3) years working experience, AND
EITHER five (5) credits at GCE ‘O’ Level including English Language, Mathematics, General Science,
OR Credits in THREE (3) WASSCE/SSSCE Core Subjects (English Language, Mathematics and Integrated Science), plus THREE (3) Credits in elective subjects from the subject groupings stated in (a). Shortlisted applicants must pass a written examination and an interview.
4. Practicing professionals with a Diploma in General Nursing, Midwifery, Psychiatric Nursing, Education, Social Service/work with a minimum of 3 years working experience in the fields of:
- Disability and allied disciplines
- Health
- Education
- Social services or Social work
- Science
Progression: The programme is of four (4) years duration, and the progression policy of KNUST for all BSc Programmes shall apply in respect of the permissible CWA to get to the next level, number of trails a student can carry to the next level, and repetition in a class.
For the award degree, candidates will be required to pass all required courses and obtain a total number of credits not less than 150. Candidates must also complete all the field attachment requirements; pass the written and oral examinations and successfully defend their theses before a panel of examiners. Candidates must obtain a minimum CWA of 45.
Career Prospects
List of areas in which the students are likely to be employed;
- Health Service
- Social Work
- Metropolitan and District Assemblies as Community Based Rehabilitation Coordinators
- Education (Special and Inclusive Education)
- Non-governmental organizations like World Vision International, Sight Savers International, and Ghana Federation of the Disabled among others.
- Academic Institutions as lecturers, researchers, and technical assistants in the academic institutions.
Assessment of students’ performance and achievements:
- Regulations on students’ assessment, performance and achievements:
Candidates will be assessed in the theory-based courses through a continuous assessment which will comprise fieldwork during attachment at Community Based Rehabilitation Centres, assignments and end of course tests (30%), and end of Semester Examinations (70%). For practical-based courses, candidates will be assessed 100% on participation, field evaluation forms, reports and oral presentations.
2. Mode of certification: The Degree (Bachelor of Science Disability and Rehabilitation Studies) will be awarded by the Department of Community Health, School of Medical Sciences.