law5dal disability and the law
DISABILITY AND THE LAW
LAW5DAL
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
People with disabilities encounter significant inequity and discrimination as they seek to exercise their rights as equal citizens to participate in society and access services and community facilities. In this subject, students will evaluate the effectiveness of the international and Australian legal frameworks aimed to establish, protect and support the exercise of rights for people with disabilities.The organising frame for the subject are the rights embedded in the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the legal mechanisms for their enactment in Australia.
SchoolLa Trobe Law School
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorDarren O'Donovan
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be enrolled in: Master of Advanced Disability Practice (HMADPO) Graduate Diploma in Advanced Disability Practice (HGADPO) Graduate Certificate in Advanced Disability Practice (HCADPO) Juris Doctor (LMJD) Master of Laws (LMLAW)
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects LAW505
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Restoring voice to people with cognitive disabilities. Realising the right to equal recognition before the law. | Recommended | Arnstein-Kerslake, A. (2017) | Cambridge University Press |
| Readings | A quantum leap towards social rights for people with intellectual disabilities | Recommended | Bigby, C., & O Donovan, D, (2018 in press) | Sydney: Federation Press |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Compare and contrast the role of various agencies in safeguarding the rights of people with cognitive disabilities.
- Activities:
- Students to undertake online reading, and view online video resources. Engagement in discussion forums will assist with learning
02. Critically evaluate evidence for how people with disabilities and their supporters experience the justice system.
- Activities:
- Research recent examples of experiences of people with disabilities within the justice system and critically evaluate the nature of those experiences.
03. Interpret and transmit information about current anti-discrimination laws that support people with cognitive disabilities and their support network.
- Activities:
- Reading about anti-discrimination laws to be undertaken, along with online forum discussions to assist clarification of concepts and student interpretation.
04. Critically examine specific types of legislation in Australia that aim to enact the rights of people with disabilities embedded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD
- Activities:
- Readings about current Australian disability policy, and key articles of the UNCRPD to allow students to compare and contrast these legislations. Further learning via forum discussions and assessment (below).
05. Make informed judgements to appeal, through the proper channels, the support provided for a person with cognitive disability.
- Activities:
- Review various scenarios including past Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) cases or Federal cases involving disability support plan appeals. Students to interpret findings and apply to a new scenario to argue for change of plan.
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Online
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDarren O'Donovan
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 10.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
Three 1.0 hours unscheduled online class every three weeks on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agency Infographic (equivalent to 1800-words) | The infographic will demonstrate the different agencies and their comparison. | 20 | 01 |
| Human Rights Essay (2,000-word equivalent) | Select one group of people with disabilities and consider the effectiveness that one aspect of their human rights are protected or furthered by a selected piece of Australian legislation. | 40 | 02, 03, 04 |
| NDIS Plan Appeal (2,000-word equivalent) | Select a scenario and prepare an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to appeal for a change to a plan developed by the NDIS for a person with cognitive disability. Sections of the NDIS legislation used in the appeal are to be made explicit. | 40 | 04, 05 |