Special Needs Worker Certificate

Children and adults with disabilities frequently need support to function fully in their communities. You can acquire the professional skills required to assist them by completing the Special Needs Worker certificate program offered by Okanagan College.

Graduates are qualified to work in entry-level, team-based positions to provide support to individuals with disabilities in a wide variety of settings, including homes, workplaces, and facilities providing educational, recreational, and social services.

As a student, you will first be introduced to the foundations of community living. You will also learn about the historical evolution of services and supports for persons with disabilities, as well as the values and beliefs of the disability rights movement and the fundamental importance of community living concepts.

Subsequent courses cover:

• Health, safety, and wellness issues, including abuse and neglect;
• Interpersonal skills to solve problems and work well with others;
• Human development from birth through death;
• Professional practices, including standards of conduct and ethical dilemmas;
• Relationship development; and Non-verbal communication techniques ranging from sign language to electronic systems.

In the two field practicums, you will interact with persons with disabilities to provide supports and improve the quality of their lives. Following these placements you will participate in seminars to review experiences, examine related issues, and problem-solve.