The Developmental Services Worker program (Disability Support) focuses on providing practical and meaningful support to people of all ages with intellectual, physical and learning disabilities to achieve their goals by inspiring, advocating and promoting inclusion.
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The Developmental Services Worker program focuses on providing support to people with various intellectual disabilities, such as Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury and neurocognitive disorders, learning disabilities and/or physical disabilities. Graduates have the knowledge, skills and attitudes that include - and exceed - compassionate caring to support the empowerment of people with disabilities, while providing leadership in promoting social inclusion and helping people accomplish their goals and reach their dreams. Students in this program also develop an understanding of the past, present and future of developmental services in Ontario and how it impacts the current lives of individuals and families.
This two–year Ontario College diploma program is designed to provide the specialized skills required for professionals who make a difference every day in the lives of children, youth and adults who have disabilities as well as their support network at home, and in the community, (school, recreation, mental health and addictions, justice supports, employment support and more). Students also learn a variety of alternative communication options to support the needs of the people they work with. Developmental Services Workers maintain and promote their professional values such as social justice, empowerment, dignity, self-worth, the importance of healthy human relationships, and integrity.
Students begin to specialize in person-centered, strength-based assessments and develop strategies for individuals, their families, and community inclusion through various community-based projects and field placements. Curriculum and field placements align with and exceed provincial and industry standards for the developmental services sector.
Students in this program also develop an understanding of the past, present and future of developmental services in Ontario and how it impacts the current lives of individuals and families. Developmental Services Workers maintain and promote their professional values such as social justice, empowerment, dignity, self-worth, the importance of healthy human relationships, and integrity.
Our Certification in Person-Directed Planning Facilitation is embedded in several courses that have an additional focus on facilitating skills for developing a Person-Directed Plan.Students develop small and large group facilitation skills and utilize goal focused planning tools specific to the Person Directed Planning process. Throughout these select courses, students will have the opportunity to learn how to help someone develop a plan for the future, which will be completed during the final semester. This may include the persons dream to live independently, find a job, continue their education, get married, get their license or even go travelling or skydiving if that is what THEY want to do! Graduates are eligible for the Person Directed Planning Facilitation Certificate.
Graduates will receive their 2 year diploma as well the Person Directed Planning Facilitation Certificate.
Students and graduates are able to become members of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD) and the Ontario Association of Developmental Services Professionals (DSSIG). OADD is a professional organization for people working and studying in the field of developmental disabilities throughout Ontario.
An essential component of your education will include experiential learning through course work as well as field placements. Three supervised field placements provide students with varied practical and networking experience where many students receive job offers. Students will also complete the last portion of their facilitation certificate by creating a Person-Directed Plan with a person they have built a relationship with throughout the program. Students will put theory into practice to help support and provide empowerment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Students also have the option of international placements in their fourth semester; however, this should be discussed with the program coordinator as early as possible (and prior to the end of semester 2) in order to assist in facilitating it.
Career Opportunities providing supports and services to those with intellectual or physical disabilities is highly rewarding work. There is a shortage of skilled and qualified workers to meet the demand in the developmental services and disability sectors, as well as related employment.
For greater employability options, a Class G Drivers license prior to graduation is highly recommended. Graduates will have the required expertise to work with people of all ages in a variety of diverse settings in Ontario, across Canada or abroad, including:
Program graduates can be employed in a variety of locations, including:
Prospective students with special needs or limitations that may affect their field placement or potential employment opportunities are encouraged to discuss their program and career goals with a program coordinator prior to admissions.
Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.
The Indigenous Perspectives Designation (IPD) is an option available to students studying in the Community and Justice Services program. To qualify for the IPD, students must take and successfully complete GNED49 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies and GNED128 - Indigenous Knowledges, along with a minimum of four approved co-curricular Indigenous events or experiences that will be incorporated into the final portfolio assignment in GNED128. The student’s transcript will indicate the IPD designation. Upon graduation, students with an IPD will have a strong foundational basis in Indigenous Studies, and a designation that will be marketable in the employment sector.
Students applying to Developmental Services Worker must meet the following requirements:
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You may be able to use credits obtained at Fleming College to continue your postsecondary education in pursuit of a degree. The articulation and credit transfer agreements with our partner institutions are summarized below.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Apply Alberta website.
Visit the Athabasca University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Fleming College - Internal Application website.
Visit the Fleming College website for further articulation and program information.
To apply please see the Griffith University's admissions website.
Visit the Griffith University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Griffith University's admissions website.
Visit the Griffith University website for further articulation and program information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Humber College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Humber College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Humber College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Lakehead University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Laurentian University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Laurentian University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Ontario Tech University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Colleges website.
Visit the Seneca College website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
See the official articulation agreement.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the Toronto Metropolitan University website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
To apply please see the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website.
Visit the University of Guelph-Humber website for further articulation and program information.
Visit the ONTransfer.ca website for agreement information.
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