Rehabilitation Counseling and Emerging Disabilities: Medical, Psychosocial, and Vocational Aspects

Emerging disabilities are disabling conditions that are new to medical science, often medically debated, and lacking in known etiology; or those increasing in prevalence in recent years. This master's-level text is the first to eschew traditional disabilities to focus specifically on the unique characteristics and needs of individuals with disabilities such as multiple chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease, or those currently increasing in prevalence (e.g., diabetes, autism, PTSD), and explore their implications for rehabilitation counseling practice. The text is also unique in its examination of how disability causes, types, and patterns are changing in response to current medical, social, cultural, and environmental trends and addressing necessary changes to rehabilitation policies and practices to better serve consumers with emerging disabilities.

The book explores important sociological and environmental phenomena such as global warming, pollution, poverty, violence, migration patterns, addiction, and substance abuse, and the changing age demographic of the United States that has altered the landscape of disability policy and rehabilitation services in the 21st century. Each chapter provides specific examples of disabling conditions and discusses their medical, psychosocial, and vocational significance. The authors examine implications for rehabilitation assessment, planning, and placement, and emphasize changes needed to rehabilitation policy and practice. The text is replete with practical evidence-based strategies for meeting the psychosocial and vocational needs of people with emerging disabilities. Chapters include case examples, learning objectives, and discussion questions.

Key Features:

• Describes disabling conditions either new to medical science or increasing in prevalence in modern society
• Examines sociocultural, environmental, and legislative trends that have resulted in emerging disabilities
• Delivers policy, programming, and research recommendations to improve services and supports for Americans with emerging disabilities
• Provides practical, evidence-based strategies for meeting the psychosocial and vocational needs of people with emerging disabilities
• Includes learning objectives, case examples, and discussion questions
• Supplemental materials include PowerPoints, syllabus, and test bank

Lynn C. Koch, PhD, CRC, is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor and professor, Rehabilitation Education and Research Program, University of Arkansas, where she has been employed since 2006. Prior to that she was coordinator, Rehabilitation Counseling Program, Kent State University, Ohio, and a faculty member in the Center for Disability Studies. Dr. Koch has authored or coauthored 75 professional journal articles, 16 book chapters, and one book, Emerging Issues in Rehabilitation Counseling. She has guest-edited three special issues of professional and academic journals in the field of rehabilitation and allied health professions, including a special issue of WORK on emerging disabilities. She also guest-edited a forthcoming special issue of Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education on psychiatric rehabilitation. Additionally, she has delivered over 85 presentations to consumer, professional, academic, and policymaking audiences. Dr. Koch served as the chair of the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) Research Committee for 11 years. She also has served as cochair of the NCRE Psychiatric Rehabilitation Council and has served on the editorial boards of five journals. Dr. Koch was the recipient of the 2014 University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions Career Faculty Award; 2013 NCRE President's Award for Exemplary Diligence and Fortitude in Promoting Rehabilitation Research, Education, and Service; the 2008 and 2009 University of Arkansas Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders; Outstanding Researcher Award; and the 2001 American Rehabilitation Counseling Association Research Award (third place).

Phillip D. Rumrill, Jr., PhD, CRC, is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor. He is professor and coordinator, Rehabilitation Counseling Program, and director, Center for Disability Studies, Kent State University, Ohio. Dr. Rumrill has authored or coauthored more than 200 professional journal articles; 50 book chapters, monographs, measurement instruments, and training manuals; and 13 books. He has also guest-edited 21 special issues of professional and academic journals in the fields of education and rehabilitation. Dr. Rumrill is a highly sought speaker at national and international conferences in a variety of fields. He has received honors and recognition for his work from such organizations as the International Organization of Social Sciences and Behavioral Research, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, the National Council on Rehabilitation Education, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and the National TRIO Foundation. Dr. Rumrill has held distinguished lecturer or visiting scholar appointments at University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State University, University of Hawaii, University of Leeds Medical School in England, University of Glasgow in Scotland, and the Arla Institute of Finland. He coauthored The Sandwich Generation's Guide to Eldercare, which won the Gold Medal in the Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB 2013 Book of the Year Awards in the Family and Relationship Books category.