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ISDS Online Courses

Disability and Mental Health Training Courses that are Innovative and Research-led

Are you looking to improve your knowledge and skills in intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental health? ISDS courses are intensive workshops completed over two days on the last two Saturdays of each month weekends. You will need to complete both days in order to obtain ISDS Certification. The online sessions are delivered live on Zoom, involve interactive learning techniques and cover theoretical as well as practical aspects of topics covered.

Our courses at a glance

Our training courses and research covers conditions such as ADHD, Apert Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Developmental Hearing Loss, Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Kernicterus and Language and Speech Difficulties and more.

By delivering quality education and training to anyone interested in disabilities including but not limited to IDD (students, academics, researchers, families of people with disabilities, carers, health workers and service providers), we aim to improve care standards and public attitudes towards people with disabilities, reducing stigma and enhancing their quality of life.

Understanding Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Learning Difficulties

This course develops your understanding, knowledge and perception of intellectual and (neuro) developmental disabilities; exploring the basic facts about the causes of disabilities, including historical and contemporary concepts and models of disability, implications of terminologies such as the use of intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities and learning difficulties and ways to support individuals.

Inclusion and Participation of Disabled People in Education and Society

This course explores factors and processes that lead to social and educational exclusion of disabled people in our contemporary society; exploring legislations/ public policies in relation to disability and their practical and cultural implications for disabled people, reflecting on ways in which the lives of disabled people might be improved in the ways they are supported with a special focus on Africa today.

Mental Health and Illness Within Spiritual and Scientific Perspectives

This course explores the historical, medical, psychological, cultural and social definitions of mental health/illness and how policy and practice have changed over time. It examines how spiritual/religious, medical and psychological interpretations of mental health and illness influence the subjective experience of mental health/ illness, the diagnosis, and the variety of treatments people access, with lessons from Christianity, Islam and others.

Leadership and Management of Disability Services and Practices

This course covers leadership and management theories in the context of service provision and explores knowledge and understanding of the role of leadership and management in promoting the interests and support for people with disabilities in any aspect of the disability field in African countries. We recommend this course for anyone who is involved in policy-making, advocacy or positions of leadership.

Introduction to Social Research Methods, Research Design and Data Collection

This course develops your understanding of the principles of social research and related philosophical discussions. People who take this course will also develop basic skills in the use of both quantitative and qualitative research techniques and begin to judge what methods and techniques are appropriate to specific research problems/questions. You can also complete an optional research project.