[nfbmi-talk] rehab counselors

[Cheryl Wade]

Hello, all.

I have read a bit on these posts about rehab counselors. I don't read many 
of the posts but I gather there's a good deal of discontent about these 
folks. As a rehab counselor trainee -- seeking a master's right now -- I'm 
very interested in what you think about counselors. I do, however, want to 
pose some questions. I do this not to stick up for counselors, but to say 
that rehabilitation is a two-way street. Please don't poke me in the eye too 
hard over this.

First, rehab counselors have many duties and, because of case loads and 
funding cuts, those duties are likely to spike. Not only do counselors need 
to help people find jobs, but they need to take detailed case notes, fill 
out reams of paperwork, travel to various places to meet with clients, 
evaluate clients in various ways so the counselor knows their career 
interests and aptitudes, and ensure our profession's ethics are maintained 
scrupulously. If we also are job developers, there are many business and 
other relationships (which means lots of meetings) to attend to.

Here are some questions I wish we could discuss:
* What makes a good counselor -- or a bad one, for that matter -- and what 
makes a good or a bad client?
* How much help should a counselor provide, and what should the client 
contribute?
* Does the presence of a counselor put a client in jeopardy when the 
counselor talks to a possible employer? The counselor, ethically, must 
mention that he/she is, indeed, a rehabilitation counselor. That signals to 
the employer that the client is a person with a disability. Now, the 
employer is waiting to see what kind of disabled person will show up. How 
does this impact the client's right to disclose that information when he/ 
she chooses?
* Should a client take a job simply to take a job, or should he/she refuse a 
job? Under what circumstances?
* How does the level of computer access help or hinder persons who are blind 
when they seek jobs?
* What are ways in which counselors and clients can learn about their 
communities so they know where to look for job opportunities?
* How many hours a week should a person who is unemployed spend looking for 
work?
* Is it appropriate to seek help from other agencies besides MCB? Why or why 
not?

Now that I've short-circuited my brain and a few others', have a great day.

Cheryl Wade
Michigan State University
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 2:35 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] at last mpas sues someone


> Group says Detroit Public School officials hindering assault probe
>
>
>
> Mark Hicks / The Detroit News
>
>
>
> The Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service is suing Detroit Public 
> Schools, claiming the district hindered the nonprofit's investigation of a 
> special
>
> education student's alleged sexual assault last year.
>
>
>
> According to the suit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, the victim's 
> legal guardian filed a complaint with the group in March 2010 alleging the 
> student,
>
> who has a disability, was assaulted by another student at an unnamed DPS 
> school.
>
>
>
>
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> The guardian "had reported numerous previous incidents of assault and 
> bullying" before the incident, the suit said.
>
>
>
> Text DETNEWS to 64636 to get breaking news alerts on your phone.
>
>
>
> When MPAS requested documents related to the alleged assault over the next 
> year, DPS officials did not produce them, attorney Chris Davis said in the 
> suit.
>
> MPAS is charged with the responsibility under federal and state law to 
> investigate allegations of abuse and neglect against people with 
> disabilities
>
>
>
> The group is calling for a judge to force the release of the records as 
> required by law as well as pay attorney fees.
>
>
>
> Steve Wasko, a spokesman for DPS, said the district hadn't seen the 
> lawsuit and he couldn't comment on the allegations.
>
>
>
> "DPS has consistently assisted (MPAS) and will continue to do so in 
> accordance with the law," he said, adding: "The district just recently 
> passed a new
>
> bullying policy and we are focusing on educating student and staff in 
> regard to bullying and harassment."
>
>
>
> http://www.detnews.com/article/20110405/METRO/104050434/1361/Group-says-Detroit-Public-School-officials-hindering-assault-probe
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