Implementation of
Rehabilitation Counselor Training Programs
at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Abstract

As we approach the 21st Century, the population of the United States is growing more diverse in its composition and needs. By the year 2000, ethnic minority groups will constitute roughly 40% of the population, including a disproportionate number of persons with disabilities. At present, the rehabilitation needs of persons with disabilities are being met by relatively few individuals from ethnic minority groups. To remedy this shortage, increased effort must be given to enhance the capabilities of rehabilitation counselor training programs at historically Black colleges and universities, as well as other minority institutions of higher education. This article details the necessity for such efforts as presented by the demographic data of Region VI of the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

Introduction

The demographic picture of the United States is changing rapidly, particularly among ethnic minority groups. It is projected that by the year 2000, approximately 86 million of the total U.S. population will be from ethnic minority groups. (U.S. Congress, 1990). Therefore at the end of this century, one of every three Americans will be a person of color. By the year 2040, close to 50% of all Americans will be from ethnic minority groups.

In 1988, there were 29.3 million African Americans (which is an increase of 13.6% over the 1980 figure). The 1990 Census accounted for 30 million African Americans; recording an increase of 2.4% over the 1988 statistics. Moreover, the African American population is projected to be 35 million in the year 2000; accounting for a 16.7% increase within a decade.

The prevalence of disability among minority groups is one and a half to two times higher than that of the general population. In the age group 16-64 years, African Americans constitute a larger segment of minority persons with disabilities than any other group (Walker, Orange, Rackley, 1993). Moreover, minority groups with disabilities have higher rates of ineligibility for rehabilitation services than the general population of persons with disabilities. Eligibility determination takes longer, eligible individuals receive fewer services, the rehabilitation process takes longer, and fewer cases are closed successfully (Atkins & Wright, 1980). Nationally, there is a critical need to increase the quality of rehabilitation services to persons who are African Americans. There is also a need for qualified rehabilitation counselors of African American descent to serve this population as well as others.

The Shortage of African American Rehabilitation Counselors

The Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) acknowledged the nationwide shortage of well trained field service staff in rehabilitation counseling in 1992. In an RSA funded Survey of Personnel Shortage and Training Needs in Vocational Rehabilitation, Pelavin Associates (1992) reported that the position of General Rehabilitation Counselor was first among 16 occupations in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies where a greater than average vacancy rate indicated labor shortages. However, the study did not identify the need for representation of persons from ethnic minority groups, including African Americans.

Rehabilitation counselors of African American origin are grossly underrepresented in many of the state agencies (Atkins & Wright, 1980: Jenkins, 1989). The RSA and other state/federal agencies should take active roles in enhancing the participation of minority persons in the broad spectrum of rehabilitation services. It was reported that out of 82 state agency directors (general and blind), only five were African Americans (Kundu, 1992).

It is important that competent, qualified, and skilled rehabilitation personnel, particularly those of minority groups, be recruited and employed at all levels of the state/federal rehabilitation system (Atkins, 1988). In addition to state/federal rehabilitation agencies, other organizations such as; community rehabilitation programs, independent living centers, group homes, transitional living centers, mental health agencies, correctional facilities, insurance companies, substance abuse centers, employee assistance programs, and veterans administrations, employ a large number of rehabilitation counselors. In these agencies, rehabilitation counselors of African American and other minority backgrounds are significantly underrepresented. This situation is consistent at both regional and national levels.

The Regional Scene

In 1988, 56% of African Americans lived in the South, 17% in the Northeast, 19% in the Midwest, and 8% in the West (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1990). Of the 56% residing in the South, a majority of African Americans lived in RSA Region VI, which is comprised of the following states: Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. Louisiana has the highest number of African Americans (46%), followed by Arkansas (19%), Texas (16%), Oklahoma (9%) and New Mexico (3%) (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1991).

The prevalence of disability among the working age population (age 16-64) in this region is the highest in the nation. It should be noted that Arkansas ranks first in the country. Oklahoma (10.8%) and Louisiana (9.6%) rank second and third, respectively, in terms of the number of persons reporting one or more disabilities. Moreover, Louisiana ranks fifth (33.5%) in the labor force participation of its residents with disabilities (Bowe, 1984). In order to provide quality services to persons with disabilities (in Region VI as elsewhere), there is an urgent need for qualified rehabilitation personnel.

Professional Preparation of African Americans

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1990 and Public Law 101-476 identified manpower, educational resources, and recommendations as needs for allied health professionals. Similarly, Section 21 of the 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act (Public Law 102-569) requires that persons with disabilities be served by qualified rehabilitation counselors and emphasizes the urgent need for preparing counselors who are members of minority groups.

To satisfy this increasing demand for providers of quality rehabilitation services, it was recommended that institutions of higher education offer highly specialized pre-service and/or in-service training programs (Menz, 1983). There are approximately 110 rehabilitation counselor training programs accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and/or members of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE). As indicated in Figure 1, only nine minority universities including six HBCUs (of the 117), two Hispanic, and one Asian institution offer educational programs in rehabilitation. As indicated in Figure 2, only two minority institutions offer rehabilitation counselor training programs. Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (a HBCU) offers a masters and baccalaureate degree, and the University of Texas Pan American, Edinburgh, Texas offers a baccalaureate degree. In the region, Southern University is the only HBCU out of 18 that offers rehabilitation education programs. The efficacy of counseling provided by African American professionals to consumers of the same race has been established (Abramowitz & Murray, 1983). However, the available training programs in the country do not currently graduate an adequate number of qualified African Americans or counselors of other ethnic backgrounds to serve various multicultural populations with disabilities.

Minority Institutions of Higher Education
Offering Rehabilitation Programs

HBCUs

1. Coppin State University
2. Fort Valley State College
3. Jackson State University
4. South Carolina State University
5. Southern University
6. University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

HISPANIC

1. University of Puerto Rico
   
2. University of Texas at Pan American

ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER

1. University of Hawaii

A majority of African American students come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Therefore, it is necessary for them to finance their education by part or full-time employment. A substantial number of these students require longer periods for completion of their degrees, which in turn, lead to high attrition rates. Furthermore, agencies often hire the interns during their internships and further delay their graduation. Thus, HBCUs and other minority institutions have a role to play in the following areas: a) utilizing innovative recruitment and retention strategies, b) improving services to minority persons, and c) meeting the qualified man power shortage in the public and private sectors. In addition, future professionals of African American origin will have the added advantage of serving as role models.

Improved financial assistance is required for identifying, recruiting, and training this important and untapped human resource. Section 21 (b) of the 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act emphasizes the importance of preparing minority persons for careers in vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and related services. This legislation also mandates the need for additional resources to enhance the capabilities of HBCUs and other minority institutions of higher education. The intent and the ideals of this legislation are certainly laudable. However, the objective measure of the extent to which these ideals will be obtained, by the end of the authorization period, include the following: a) the number of HBCUs assisted in the development of the new programs, b) the number of students who received financial assistance, and c) the increase in the number of graduates and qualified personnel hired.

Universities in Region VI Offering Rehabilitation Programs

References

Abramowitz, S. S., & Murray, J (1983). Race effects in psychology. In R. M. Crystal & R. J. Alston (1991). Ethnicity and culture in rehabilitation counseling: The perspectives of three prominent counselor educators. Rehabilitation Education, 5(3), 209-214.

Atkins, B. J. (1988). An asset oriented approach to cross cultural issues: Black in rehabilitation. Journal Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 19(4), 45-49.

Atkins, B. J., & Wright, G. N. (1980). Three views - Vocational rehabilitation of Blacks: The statement. Journal of Rehabilitation, 46, 40-46.

Bolton, B., & Cooper, P. G. (1980). Comments on "vocational rehabilitation of Blacks." Journal of Rehabilitation, 46(2), 47-49.

Bowe, F. (1984). U.S. Census and disabled adults. Arkansas Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, University of Arkansas, Hot Springs, AR.

Jenkins, A. E. (1981, June). Job satisfaction of Black counselors. proposal submitted to the Rehabilitation Services Administration, Washington, DC.

Kundu, M. M. (1992). Reaction to the vocational rehabilitation of minorities. In T. J. Wright & Paul Leung (Eds.), proceedings of The Unique Needs of Minorities with Disabilities: Setting an Agenda for the Future, (pp. 98-107). Washington, DC: National Council on Disability.

Lewis, A. C., Garrity, R., & Crow, R. (1992, January). Manpower needs, educational resources and recommendations regarding allied health professionals in Louisiana. new Orleans, LA: Allied Health Subcommittee of the Board of Regents Task Force on Health Science Education, pp. 13-14.

Menz, F. E. (1983). Manpower needs in rehabilitation facilities: 1980-1990. Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, University of Wisconsin, Menomonie, WI.

Pelavin Associates, Inc. (1992). 1992 Survey of personnel shortages and training needs in vocational rehabilitation: Final Report. Washington, DC.

Public Law 101-336. (1990). Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. U.S. Government, Washington, DC.

U.S. Congress (1990). Public Law 101-476: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. U.S. Government, Washington, DC.

Public Law 102-569. (1992). Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. U.S. Government, Washington, DC.

U.S. Bureau of Census. (1990). The Black Population in the United States: A Chartbook. U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC.

U.S. Bureau of Census. (1991). Final 1990 Census Population Counts. Washington, DC.: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Division.

Walker, S., Orange, C., & Rackley, R. (1993). A formidable challenge: The preparation of minority personnel. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 3(1), 46-53.

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