SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Disability Studies

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
105738	Postgraduate Diploma in Disability Studies
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma	Field 05 - Education, Training and Development		Schooling
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-02-13	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to strengthen and deepen knowledge, skills and values (attitude) of different professionals (educators, doctors, nurses, auxiliary, etc.,) and para-professionals in order to deal with issues pertaining to disability in various contexts/ environments.

Qualified learners will be able to relate to and embrace disability as a concept in their daily interactions with people with disabilities. They will also be able to interrogate current local and global research policies and thinking around disability issues in order to contribute towards knowledge expansion in the field.

The learning pathway for learners will be:

Bachelor of Education Degree or Advanced Diploma in Education at Level 7.

Postgraduate Diploma at Level 8.

Progress to a Master of Education degree in Inclusive Education.

Doctor of Education.

The qualification enables learners to:

Develop critical and analytical enquiry-based learning skills to enable professionals to work successfully in a range of contexts where learners with special needs/disability are educated.

Provide a conceptual framework that is derived from relevant literature and research, which are structured around the national special education needs and disability policies.

Explain how to promote accessibility in various contexts.

Explore various ways of accommodating people with disabilities.

Rationale:
Education for All requires that all learners including those with special needs and disability receive quality education in both inclusive and special schools. To that end there should be continuous professional development. The qualification will equip professionals with knowledge, understanding and skills which will enable them to work confidently and effectively in a variety of educational settings with learners with special needs and disabilities, their families and with the professionals who support them on a day to day basis.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification may be achieved according to the institutions RPL policy in part, which includes learning outcomes achieved through formal, informal and non-formal learning and work experience. The RPL plan for this qualification will align itself to the RPL Policy. There are clear guidelines for portfolio development and all assessment is done by the relevant lecturers.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements are:

An approved four-year Bachelor of Education Degree.
Or

A three-year general Bachelor's Degree.
Or

A Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Or

A four-year professional teacher qualification as well as a 120 Credits Level 7 Advanced Diploma in a cognate specialisation.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Facts and Insight into Disabilities, 24 Credits.

Promoting Accessibility, 24 Credits.

Effective Strategies for Inclusion, 24 Credits.

Putting Advocacy into Practice, 24 Credits.

Research in Disability Studies, 24 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Identify and solve problems responsibly using critical and creative thinking to use a range of strategies to create a conducive learning environment for all learners, including those experiencing barriers to learning.
2. Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community to facilitate learning for all and create an enabling environment for learners with special needs and disabilities.
3. Organise and manage oneself responsibly and effectively through professional conduct and in accordance with ethical principles and organisational processes, procedures and requirements.
4. Collect, organise and critically evaluate information by researching pertinent problems that arise in inclusive settings.
5. Communicate with learners using appropriate alternative methods and assistive technology to enhance communication.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by understanding the relationship between internal and external support structures.
7. Reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively by evaluating strengths and weaknesses which can help to inform future planning and practice.
8. Participate as a responsible citizen in the life of local, national and global communities by contributing towards creating an enabling inclusive setting and promoting social cohesion.
9. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity across a range of inclusive settings by applying the principles of human rights and knowledge of inclusivity in order to accommodate diverse learning styles and strategies.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:

Interrogate national and international policies and legislation, as well as theories, philosophies (including African philosophies) in order to demonstrate understanding of the issues of disability studies.

Assess and apply various means of communication to help facilitate learning for all, including learners presenting with visual, hearing and intellectual impairments.

Design and implement appropriate support strategies to overcome barriers to learning.

Present a research proposal that promotes effective and efficient implementation of research in disability studies.

Integrated Assessment:
To be granted the award of the qualification, a candidate must achieve the minimum requirements in each of the five compulsory modules. Evidence is required that the learner is able to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time of the award of the qualification. In the assessment process there will be a combination of formative and summative assessments. The range of formative and summative assessments will adequately cover the demonstration of knowledge of theoretical aspects; structured activities, and authentic assignments that will include observation in real-life situations or in given scenarios as well as online discussions and evidence of successful practical application of learning in an authentic education situation.

This will be a non-examination based qualification.

The ratio of formative and summative assessment marks for each module will be:
Formative Assessment: 60%.
Summative Assessment: 40%.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification and the component modules have been compared with similar qualifications and training courses from countries such as Australia, England and the United States of America. However there are some differences which account for contextual issues and the names of programmes. Internationally for the most part the PGDip forms part of the direct pathway to a Master's Degree in Social Sciences. Several programmes were identified in the field of disability studies, for example; Graduate Diploma in Disability Studies, Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual disabilities and Diploma in Autism. The qualification that relates the best with the Unisa qualification is the Postgraduate Diploma in Disability Studies: Inclusive theory and research offered through the University of Bristol in England.

University of Bristol (England):
Postgraduate Diploma in Disability Studies: Inclusive theory and research.

120 Credits.

1 year programme (Can also be studied over 2- 5 years period.

6 modules: 4 mandatory modules with 20 Credits each. Two optional modules from two different lists (20 Credits each).

Articulate vertically to a Master's Degree in Social Sciences.

Module 1: Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences (SPS) - SPOLM0015 Mandatory.

Module 2: Philosophy and Research Design in the Social Sciences (SPS) - SPOLM00 13 Mandatory.

Module 3: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods in the Social Sciences (SPS) - SPOLM0014 Mandatory.

Module 4: Inclusive Research with Disabled People - ACHSM0001 Mandatory.

Module 5: Disabled Childhoods - SPOLM0050 Optional.
> Global Contexts of Rights and Disability - SPOLM0049 Optional.

Module 6: Further Quantitative Methods - SPOLM0016 Optional.
> Further Qualitative Methods.
> Independent Study - SPOLM0017 Optional.
> Independent Study - SPOLM0012 Optional.
> Researching Poverty, Inequality and Social Exclusion - SPOLM5011 Optional.
> The International Analysis of Poverty and Social Exclusion - SPOLM1068 Optional.

At National level, the Unisa Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Disability studies relates well with the one offered at University of Cape Town (UCT). The PGDip in Disability Studies programme offered at UCT aims to increase awareness and informed participation in disability issues at a teaching, research and community-based programme level. The programme forms part of the direct pathway to a Master's Degree in Disability Studies.

University of Cape Town:
Credits: Level 8.

AHS 4089F Introduction to Disability as Diversity - Credits 30.

AHS 4091W Developing Critical Research Literacy - Credits 45.

AHS 4117S Critical Priorities in Disability and Development - Credits 30.

AHS 4118S Monitor Disability in Society - Credits 30.

AHS 4163S Disability Studies in Education - Credits 30.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

The qualification offers the following horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

Horizontal Articulation:

An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma, Level 8.

An appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree.

Vertical Articulation:

Master of Education, Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

1.	University of South Africa