About Course

Program Description

A diploma in interdisciplinary disability studies will lead to knowledge, skills and competencies to launch a new career, or to add to an unrelated degree or certificate. The purpose is to meet national or state qualifications to venture into disability studies. The diploma program is a progressive curriculum with 60-credit-hour  programs in which individuals from varied disciplines and professional backgrounds study together to gain knowledge and skills in disability theory, policy, service and research and practice. It provides an overview, investigates, critiques and enhances understanding of disability and provides specialization. The disability studies program will introduce learners to critical frameworks that will enhance their understanding of disadvantages and exclusions experiences arising from personal and societal responses to impairment. Studies in disability will also explore how disability activists, scholars and policies have re-conceptualized disability from an empowering social political and human rights perspective as a human diversity approach and a source of community.

 Understanding the paradigm of disability will lead to fruitful directions to the knowledge, competencies and skills that will lead to

• Understanding that disability is a natural part of human variation and an aspect of diversity.
• Access and inclusion as matters of social justice urgent for Persons with disability
• Creating accessible and inclusive environments is a shared responsibility.
• Mainstreaming disability is a policy issue globally that must be implemented.

A multidisciplinary disability studies program will activate knowledge, competencies, skills and attitudes to support societal and cultural behaviour for disability-inclusive and equitable environments for people with disabilities as opposed to seeing people with disability as ‘other’ arising from the world of experience which is considered inferior and leads to oppression of people with disability. A disability epistemology will lead to authority and conformity in knowledge and experience practices appropriate for the effective lives of people with disability.

2.4 5 Program Goals

1. To provide a community of diverse experts who shall engage in interdisciplinary inquiry about disability, and to support research and teaching on  disabilities as a social construction.

2. To prepare a new generation of leaders in community-based or governmental agencies supporting Disabilities.

3. To provide students with the skills to begin or advance in a career working with and for people with a wide range of disabilities.

Program Expected Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

1. Elucidate the concept of disabilities, theories and practices of disability while embracing biblical and Christian principals
2. Engage in an interdisciplinary inquiry on applying research-appropriate design, methodologies, and ethics.
3. Demonstrate understanding of disability rights, laws, ethics, policies and practices.
4. Champion the rights, ethics, and practices of disability inclusivity, equitable environments
5.  Undertake community and professional practice for and with PwDs
6. Research disabilities
7. Support Disability mainstreaming and affirmative action.

Admission Requirement

Applicants must have at least a C in KCSE or its equivalent qualification. Students undertaking a bachelor's program in Daystar University or elsewhere can apply for this program to equip them for disability Mainstreaming support in workplace. Individuals with an existing discipline or profession can undertake this program for an add-on to their career progression or change.  Persons who want to delve into new careers or explore the dynamic disability field for diversity in knowledge skills and competencies in their place of work can join the diploma even though they already have higher qualifications in another discipline. 

Admission Process:

Complete the admission process using the application link below. Upload your unofficial/official transcript in pdf format, which should indicate the applicants stage of learning. Applications will be processed on an ongoing basis, for registered and paid up students to study the diploma in disability studies program. For further communication write to ids@daystar.ac.ke / admissions.daystar.ac.ke/ Marketting: careersmade@daystar.ac.ke; inquiries: info@daystar.ac.ke https://application.daystar.ac.ke

Call+254 709 972 000/ ; Text/WhatsApp +254 716 170 3131; +254 748100 759

Mode of Learning

The programme shall be offered in class and online. The online learning will be provided through the online Daystar E-Learning campus platform with complements of applications such as BigBlueButton Zoom, Google Meet, Skype and Microsoft Teams. This shall be done based on the Daystar University’s regular semesters.

Teaching methods to be used include problem-based learning in class and online through seminars, guest lectures, video and field trips, computer-based simulations and industry linkage.  In addition, review of referred materials, online group discussions, case studies and synchronously through conference applications.

Requirements for Graduation Credit Hours