18681
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PRACTICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT
Support people with disabilities to
increase their level of self-determination
level:
5
credit:
10
planned review date:
December 2003
sub-field:
Human Services
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
communicate with people with disabilities in a manner that
supports their self-determination; develop and document
strategies with a person with a disability that enhance their
level of self-determination; assist a person with a disability
implement their self-determination strategies; and assist a
person with a disability to evaluate their self-determination
strategies.
entry information:
Open.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and
teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed external moderation
system has been set up by Community Support Services
Industry Training Organisation.
special notes:
1
The privacy of people with disabilities will be respected
at all times. The decision for contact to occur will
always be made in consultation with the person with the
disability.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PRACTICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT
Support people with disabilities to
increase their level of self-determination
2
People awarded credit for this unit standard are able to
demonstrate knowledge of the meaning of the articles
of the Treaty of Waitangi for human service purposes,
and are able to apply this knowledge to the context of
assessment for this unit standard.
3
The following apply to the performance of all elements
of this unit standard:
a
All activities must comply with any policies,
procedures, ethical codes and standards and
requirements of the organisations involved.
b
All activities must comply with any relevant
cultural, legislative and/or regulatory requirements
including the rights and responsibilities of the
disabled as outlined in the Code of Health and
Disability Services Consumers’ Rights 1996, and
the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992,
Human Rights Act 1993, Privacy Act 1993, and
any subsequent amendments.
c
The rights of the person with a disability are
paramount.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PRACTICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT
Support people with disabilities to
increase their level of self-determination
4
All communications with participants will be treated
confidentially. The scope and limits of confidentiality
are defined through negotiation, and informed consent
of participants, and criteria established by legislation,
ethical practice, and organisational guidelines. In the
context of this unit standard, sources of ‘criteria
established by legislation, ethical practice, and
organisational guidelines’ include but are not limited to
the Official Information Act 1982, Privacy Act 1993,
organisations’ codes of conduct, codes of practice
issued by the Privacy Commissioner, human services
codes of ethics, and organisational guidelines,
protocols, staff manuals, strategic plans, or kaupapa.
5
This unit standard cannot be assessed in a simulated
environment. It is required that people seeking credit
for this unit standard will demonstrate competence and
be assessed in the workplace. This can be through
paid or unpaid employment, or in placements in a
service provider workplace negotiated by an education
provider. An ability to integrate theory with practice in
the workplace must be demonstrated. This will call for
a variety of modes of assessment and forms of
evidence. Evidence is required to show consistency of
performance across a range of situations and to
demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and skill in the
principles and practices directly relating to the
competent performance of the elements to the
standard defined in the performance criteria.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PRACTICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT
Support people with disabilities to
increase their level of self-determination
6
Definitions:
The construct of self-determination ‘encompass[es] a
wide variety of skills and opportunities in the areas of
independence,
self-expression,
choice
making,
problem
solving,
self-management,
and
selfrepresentation.’ Abery, 1993; Hayden and Shoultz,
1991 cited in Lakin, K. C.; Hayden, M. F. and Abery,
B.H. 1994. An overview of the community living
concept. In M. F. Hayden and B. H. Abery,
Challenges for a service system in transition: Ensuring
quality community experiences for persons with
developmental disabilities. (Baltimore, MD: Paul H.
Brookes Publishing Co).
Powerless refers to being unable to direct the course of
one’s life due to societal conditions and power
dynamics, lack of skills, or lack of faith that one can
change one’s life – McWhirter.
EH, Journal of
Counselling and Development - January/February 1991
Vol. 69.
7
Where an individual’s level of functioning is limited
through age or disability the goal of self-determination
is to work in partnership with their support network to
ensure they are as self-determining as possible.
8
All performances must meet the standards as set out in
NZS 8134:2001 Health and Disability Sector Standards
and any subsequent amendments.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PRACTICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT
Support people with disabilities to
increase their level of self-determination
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Communicate with people with disabilities in a manner that supports their selfdetermination.
performance criteria
1.1
The communication is in terms of individual identified needs.
Range:
1.2
acknowledged, respected, affirmed.
People with disabilities are responded to in a manner that acknowledges their
values and attitudes.
Range:
cultural perspectives, beliefs.
1.3
People with disabilities are responded to in a manner that responds to their
needs according to their type of disability, and communication methodology.
1.4
Communication acknowledges verbal and non-verbal communication skills in
terms of needs of the recipient.
Range:
attending, listening, following, clarifying, encouraging, discussion,
questioning, paraphrasing, reflection of feeling and content,
summarising.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PRACTICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT
Support people with disabilities to
increase their level of self-determination
element 2
Develop and document strategies with a person with a disability that enhance their level of
self-determination.
performance criteria
2.1
Strategies developed are in accordance with the needs identified by the person
with a disability.
Range:
2.2
goals, timeframes, culture, values, networks, nature of the
structure, contingencies, environment, resources, personal safety.
Actions required to implement strategies and evaluation criteria are
documented in accordance with organisational requirements.
element 3
Assist a person with a disability implement their self-determination strategies.
performance criteria
3.1
The implementation of strategies is in accordance with the plan.
3.2
Assistance is provided to the person with a disability as and when directed.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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PRACTICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT
Support people with disabilities to
increase their level of self-determination
element 4
Assist a person with a disability to evaluate their self-determination strategies.
performance criteria
4.1
The evaluation is in accordance with the plan.
4.2
The evaluation determines whether the person with a disability is satisfied with
the outcome of the plan.
Comments to:
Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation
Unit Standard Revision
PO Box 160
WELLINGTON
by December 2003.
Please Note:
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority
before they can offer programmes of education and training
assessed against unit standards.
Accredited providers assessing against unit standards must
engage with the moderation system that applies to those unit
standards. [Please refer to relevant Plan ref: 0024]
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016