Affiliations: University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA | Division of Rehabilitation Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, Chicago, IL, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Tina Taylor-Ritzler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Dominican University, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest, IL 60305, USA. E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The current study was conducted to identify challenges in engaging consumers with disabilities from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and effective strategies to overcome these challenges in the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) system. Twenty one VR counselors from a large Midwestern state were nominated by their supervisors to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews because of exemplary work over more than five years. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and subjected to qualitative analysis. Counselors identified the following challenges for some of their multicultural consumers: (1) lack of knowledge about their responsibilities and role within the VR system; (2) lack of a vision and plan for their future success; and (3) lack of a sense of efficacy about their ability to be successful. These challenges are related to experiences of oppression. Effective strategies were related to processes of empowerment within the context of the therapeutic relationship. Study findings have implications for the VR system related to providing support and training to VR counselors and VR counseling students on how to work effectively with consumers with disabilities from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
