CHCDIS004

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate with people who have complex communication needs through effective use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) strategies and systems.

AAC refers to methods that replace or supplement speech to address the needs of people whose oral speech skills limit their ability to meet their participation and communication needs.

AAC systems comprise communication aids, symbols, strategies, and techniques and methods that may be aided or unaided.

This unit applies to disability support work in a variety of contexts. Work performed requires a range of well developed, person-centred skills where some discretion and judgement is required and workers will take responsibility for their own outputs.

Unit mapping information

No equivalent unit

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements

The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.

Foundation skills

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Unit sector or competency field

None specified.

Prerequisite, co-requisite or interdependent assessment of units

None specified.

Assessment conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the disabilities workplace with the addition of simulations and scenarios where the full range of contexts and situations have not been provided in the workplace. These are situations relating to emergency or unplanned procedures where assessment in these circumstances would be unsafe, impractical or threatens the dignity of the person with disability. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• access to AAC devices
• access to individualised plans and any equipment outlined in the plan
• access to relevant organisation policies and procedures relating to AAC

The candidate must demonstrate their skills with at least 1 person with a communication disability.

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015 /AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.