Courses in Disability Studies are taught by Texas Center for Disability Studies faculty and staff and are currently offered through the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin. The course number for each course is SW 387R for the graduate level and SW360K for the undergraduate level class.

This Web-based course provides an overview of the issues associated with aging and disabilities. Topics include the attitudes toward aging in our society; relevant federal and state legislation; Medicaid, Medicare, and other federal and state programs; services and supports available through federal and state programs; issues related to active treatment for people with disabilities who are aging; and ethical issues.

Course Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the issues associated with aging in our society. We will explore the differences between people with disabilities who are aging, and people who acquire disabilities as they age. We will discuss how attitudes towards people who are older have affected the development of federal and state legislation, and policies, agencies, and services, including those delivered through waiver programs. We will investigate ethical issues faced by older Americans and their families, and look at the impact of disability on these discussions. Finally, we will review popular media and the portrayal of this group of people in our society.

• To understand the variety of definitions and meanings of disability.
• To understand the implications of disability definitions on attitudes.
• To understand similarities and differences between the social attitudes and views on disability and on aging.
• To understand how attitudes and beliefs about disability and about aging may affect the development of federal and state legislation and policies.
• To understand how people with disabilities who are older receive services under Medicare and Medicaid.
• To identify services available to people over age 65 with disabilities.
• To understand the various services and supports utilized by people with disabilities who are older with disabilities.
• To understand new models being developed and utilized for dementia care and nursing home structures.
• To understand the issues of caregivers of people who are older with disabilities.
• To understand the complex ethical dilemmas faced by people with disabilities in our society.
• To identify how attitudes and beliefs about disability and about aging may affect legal and ethical decisions.
• To understand the impact of advocacy efforts on life decisions for people who are older with disabilities.
• To understand how popular media shapes attitudes towards people with disabilities and people who are aging.

Syllabus Lesson
Goals:
We will go over the information you need to be successful with online learning, how to use the Blackboard software and helpful online resources.

Lesson 1: Aging in America
Goals:
We’ll go over major conditions of aging and begin talking about having a disability and aging as well as acquiring disabilities as we age. We will also talk some about attitudes about people with disabilities and people who are elderly, as well as some of the disability models and how they apply to this population.

Lesson 2: Federal and State Legislation
Goals:
There are both federal and state laws that are specific to people who are aging. We will look at some of these laws and their impact on people with disabilities who are aging. Specific Texas legislation will also be examined.

Lesson 3: Medicaid, Medicare, and other Programs
Goals:
Medicaid and Medicare are critically important programs for accessing health and supportive services for persons with disabilities, chronic illness, and special needs. Because of its size and scope, Medicaid is the leading payer and policy-making entity for this population.  We will talk about Medicaid, Medicare, and other programs that provide services for people who are older.

Lesson 4: Services and Supports
Goals:
In this section, we will talk about the services available to people with disabilities who are older, including the various options for living arrangements and technology that can assist people. The process of finding and obtaining services is very difficult, and people and their families can have a hard time finding what they need. We will also talk about some innovative programs designed to serve people with dementia, but that would apply to many other folks. The final topic for this lesson is caregiver issues. 

Movie Review!
Goals:
Change of pace! For this assignment, you are to select a movie related to aging and disability, watch it, and write a short review using a supplied format. A list of movies will be provided, or you can select something else.

Lesson 5: Active Treatment for Older Adults with Cognitive Disabilities
Goals:
Many people with cognitive disabilities are served in facilities that require “active treatment.” We will talk about what that looks like for people who are older. What’s involved in active treatment and how are those decisions made about what will be done?  

Lesson 6: Ethical Issues
Goals:
We will wrap up the semester by discussing some of the ethical issues faced by older people with disabilities and their families including assisted suicide, advance directives, end of life decisions, medical issues, sexuality and others.

Grading Schema
Each lesson (after the Syllabus Lesson) will have approximately 180 possible points.  All students will be required to complete certain activities that will total approximately 80 points – the lessons, activities, discussion board, at least one reading, and the quiz.  Then, students must select additional activities to reach the point value they choose. For example, students enrolled in the SW 360K course (undergraduate) will need to reach 150 points for an A on the lesson; 140 points for a B. Students enrolled in the SW 387R course (graduate) will need to reach 160 points for an A; 150 points for a B on the lesson.  The movie review will be worth 50 points. There may be some point variations between lessons, but the information will always be clearly stated in the lesson map.