My life sucks

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@Blackcloud wrote:

@AlwaysMyself just wanted to pop in and check in with you if you don't mind 😊 - have you been up to much lately? I saw you mentioning in another thread/s a while ago about potentially doing the Cert IV of Mental Health Peer Work if I'm correct on that? For me I was thinking of doing that certificate as well, but unfortunately the answers I was given from the placement coordinator + program manager of institutions where I inquired about the course last year -- I've asked them if its possible that I can communicate with clients through texting/chatting platforms during my placements and they said that face-to-face interactions is required during placements. I did however applied for the enrolment of the course just a few months ago but last month I decided to withdraw from the course even way before I started it because the placements regarding face to face interactions are a huge barrier for me. It feels incredibly ableist that this is how placements in this particular certificate are & its not surprising that they're not willing to be accomodating to my needs no matter what I've been communicating to them with.

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It does feel narrow-minded of institutions to not be able to acknowledge/adapt for text-based prac placement @Blackcloud (thankfully for me this isn't an issue, other than from a chronic fatigue perspective, so I haven't looked into it actively). Were they able to provide information about which assessment criteria / course competency required the ability to do face-to-face work?

I may not be worth your emotional energy to pursue it, but if it were to be - that's the tack I'd be asking for them to justify. Under the Disability Discrimination Act there is a requirement for educational providers to provide flexible/adapted assessments (as much as possible) to enable people with disabilities to achieve/prove their capability against assessment/course competencies. So if there is no qualification competency that specifically requires face-to-face skills then i don't think they have a legal "leg to stand on" - provided you are able to obtain a practical placement that fits your needs (e.g. forums, text-based service, etc)

I haven't taken any steps yet towards commencing studies fro the MH Peer Worker certificate, but it is a possible idea for me later in the year or next year -- but first I am waiting to see how things go with the clinical trial in a few months. I am currently doing a language diploma though, of a language I already use - I just don't have formal qualifications in it, so I figured I would go through that process to get it recognised.