SW 570 Health and Disability Social Work

3 credits

This course examines policy, theory, research and practice issues related to health and disabilities across the life span. The course focuses on problem definition and evidence-based service provision in a variety of health settings utilizing a trauma-informed, human rights perspective when relevant, within the context of social policies and macro-level practices. The course illustrates multiple roles that social workers take across settings when working with those with acute and chronic health conditions. Central to this course is an understanding of historical policy formations at national, regional and local levels, particularly as they influence current practice realities. Students will examine multiple levels of response to deterioration in health and adaptive abilities. Students will develop understanding of health policy based on critical advocacy roles that social workers play in ensuring equitable access to services, reasonable accommodations, and legal remedies related to discrimination, oppression, and human rights violations for those with health-related disabilities. The effect of social location and context will be examined as they influence access to health services. This advanced year course will provide students with the knowledge and skills to be effective practitioners across a variety of micro, mezzo or macro health practice realities.