Career Counseling: A Holistic Approach CHAPTER 12: CAREER COUNSELING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Career Counseling for Individuals with Disabilities The focus should be on the unique identity of a person rather than on a label ◦Label implies that everyone with that particular label is alike and has a separate status from the general population ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Signed into law on July 26, 1990 Title III regulations require public accommodations, commercial facilities and private entities to make reasonable modifications of policies, practices and procedures that deny equal access to individuals with disabilities Generally defined as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more “major life activity” or has a record of such impairment ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Special Problems and Needs of Individuals with Disabilities The problems and needs associated with disabilities can be very inclusive and pervasive Adjusting to & accepting disability resulting from trauma Feelings of Inferiority and Negative Stereotypes – disability should be seen as diversity – evaluated on ability to perform work Those with ADHD & in special educ. Classes have high dropout rates; introduce legitimate role models & confront prejudice Multicultural Issues ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Goals of Helpers Assess strengths & weaknesses accurately – support positive self-image Focus on assertiveness & independence, especially if disability has been lifelong or long-term; these can also impact indecisiveness Career redeveopment – if disability was introduced later in life ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Implications for Career Counseling Counselors must adopt proactive roles Counselors should support community education and training programs to foster acceptance in the work world Programs that assist educators, families and employees in working with individuals with disabilities can be invaluable in reducing existing physical and psychological barriers ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Educate and Counsel Individuals with Disabilities in Public Schools In the early 1800s some states established residential schools for the education of students with disabilities Their education has not always been part of public school In 1975 the Education For All Handicapped Children Act was passed by Congress Goals are facilitated by Individual Education Plans for children (IEPs) ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Privately Supported Rehabilitation Agencies Among the most widely known is Goodwill Industries ◦It trains people who have disabilities to work ◦It provides a wide range of activities including classroom instruction, sheltered workshops, therapy, counseling and placement ◦Goodwill also provides educational skills training programs ◦Most age groups can be served by privately supported, non-profit rehabilitation agencies ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

State Rehabilitation Programs The purpose of State Rehabilitation programs is to provide counseling and other services to individuals who have a disability Eligibility is generally determined by two criteria: ◦Each person must have a disability that results in a substantial handicap to employment ◦Vocational rehabilitation services must reasonably be expected to benefit the person relative to employability ©2016. CENGAGE LEARNING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.