Marie was only 29 when her vehicle spun on the ice and plummeted over a
highway embankment. She survived the accident, but lost the use of her lower
body. She can't drive, has difficulty getting into her apartment and can't
return to her job as a backhoe operator. She remains optimistic, but how will
she adjust to her new situation?
Rehabilitation counselors work with the disabled or injured to help them
with day-to-day living, with education and with employment.
"For example, these services are provided to the older person, the child
with a learning disability...the nurse with back pain, the individual with
an amputation and the person with a head injury," says Margaret Glenn. She
is an associate professor of rehabilitation counseling at West Virginia University.
Rehabilitation counselors interview clients, prepare case histories, assess
problems and conduct vocational testing. They may also create and implement
counseling programs to help clients determine goals and figure out how to
attain them.
Rehabilitation counselors also evaluate the effectiveness of these programs
and prepare reports. They may also work with community organizations and employers
to find placements for their clients.
Although the job title may sound similar, rehabilitation counseling is
not the same as drug and alcohol addiction counseling.
Rehabilitation counselors can find work in a variety of settings, such
as government agencies. "Graduates also find employment in nonprofit and private
rehabilitation agencies, rehabilitation centers, community or institutional
mental health settings, corrections, schools, hospitals and related areas
that emphasize rehabilitation," says Glenn.
Rehabilitation counselors tend to work a standard 40-hour week. "Self-employed
counselors and those working in mental health and community agencies such
as substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors often work evenings
to counsel clients who work during the day," says Glenn.
Counseling doesn't require heavy manual labor. "People with disabilities
are often given priority in hiring in the state and federal jobs, as long
as the person is able to perform the expected functions of the job with or
without reasonable accommodations," adds Glenn.