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This professional development, OTC-accredited course, Certificate in Empowerment and Advocacy, equips the student with the knowledge, skills and competencies to support people with disabilities in empowering themselves on a day-to-day basis, thus facilitating self-defined visions of a desirable future.
This includes guidance and skills in relation to effective facilitation through a number of empowering approaches and in particular, advocacy. Advocacy is one of the most predominant methods of empowerment that has emerged to facilitate people with disabilities.
Who is this course for?
The course is aimed at staff in the disability sector whose role involves:
It is ideal for a practitioner with a social studies/care/community development qualification who would like to:
Course Content
Unit 1: explore the overall concept of empowerment as it applies to people with disabilities, its development on an international basis and from an Irish perspective.
Unit 2: The qualities of empowerment and their meaning to people with disabilities and how each element can facilitate empowerment. The challenges this presents and the benefits associated with people becoming empowered and in determining their own lives will be explored.
Unit 3: The concept of advocacy from a historical perspective, including its growth in Ireland and how this has led to greater empowerment for service users.
Unit 4: The factors that facilitate empowerment; how support is provided guidance in a positive empowering manner. Throughout this unit you will be provided with practical guidelines on how you can facilitate empowerment through advocacy and through everyday support.
Unit 5: focuses on the work environment and asks the question: to what extent do you shape your work environment in terms of empowerment and to what extent does it shape you and your practices? It is important that empowerment is promoted at many levels in an organisation.
To achieve this OTC Certificate of Completion you must participate in the online workshop and contribute to the online posting board with your fellow participants. You will also need to provide a short case study of empowering an individual.
You will be supported in your assessment through the OTC's innovative, award winning learner support model. Read more about the model here.
Qualification
Successful participants of this professional development, non-accredited course will obtain an OTC certificate in:
Empowerment and Advocacy
Please find more information HERE; or contact Conor on cmurray@opentrainingcollege.com or 086 0756580 (9am-5pm please).
| Location Postcode | Dublin 14 |
| Course Category | Disability Studies, Humanities & Social Sciences |
| Course Type | Online Learning |
| Course Qualification | CPD Certificate |
| Awarding Body | OTC |
| Awarding Body Details | Certificate in Empowerment and Advocacy |
| Course Start Date | 13th April 2026 |
| Course End Date | 29th May 2026 |
| Course Duration | 8 Weeks |
| Course Time | The next course will commence in Autumn, 2025, subject to reaching minimum numbers. - Application Deadline: Date TBD - Course Commences Online: Date TBD - Webinar Date: Date TBD - 9.30am - 4pm - Submission Date (course ends): Date TBD For more information, contact Conor at cmurray@opentrainingcollege.com, or on 086-0756580 (9am-5pm please). |
| Course Fee | €299 |
| Entry Requirements | Applicants must have experience working with or volunteering with individuals with disabilities. This CPD opportunity would be beneficial for professionals such as social care workers, care workers, healthcare and personal assistants, family or home support workers, or community care workers. We also encourage applications from family members of disabled individuals. Applicants must possess the necessary IT skills to participate as required. International applicants must provide documentary evidence of proficiency in English. |
| Career Path | Successful participants of this professional development, OTC-accredited course will obtain: ◾Certificate in Empowerment and Advocacy |
| Course Code | OTC-CPD-EA |
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