FOR RELEASE: Thursday, January 17, 2008
Textbook Continues Focus on Productivity, Independence for People with Disabilities
Richard T. Roessler
Ensuring that people with disabilities have a chance at living the most productive and independent life possible – that's what the sixth edition of a vocational rehabilitation textbook and 30 years of experience boil down to for Richard T. Roessler.
The University of Arkansas professor of rehabilitation education and research and his co-author, Stanford E. Rubin, professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, recently released the sixth edition of Foundations of the Vocational Rehabilitation Process published by Pro-Ed.
"Since the first edition in the mid-1970s, our text has generally grown to span over 3 decades of advances in our field," the authors say in the book's preface. "We have learned a great deal; we hope our readers will have the same experience."
The book addresses legislative mandates that emphasize not only vocational, independent living, social and educational rehabilitation services, but also the removal of environmental barriers and the civil rights of people with disabilities. This dual focus on individual and environment to maximize participation of people with disabilities into mainstream American society is the essential message of the latest revised edition, the authors say.
"We believe that disability often places people with disabilities in our society in negative situations and that these situational factors are often far more limiting than are any medical, intellectual or emotional conditions," according to Roessler and Rubin.
The book, which contains more than 1,200 references to research and other scholarly work, offers both theoretical and practical information to help rehabilitation professionals translate legislative mandates into practice. It also includes a new chapter on women with disabilities.
Designed for an introductory course at the master's level or a senior-level course in an undergraduate program on vocational or independent living rehabilitation, Foundations also offers valuable information to practicing counselors dedicated to staying abreast of developments in the field. It also could be used by in-service training directors to develop informative training programs for their staff members.
Roessler, a member of the College of Education and Health Professions faculty, has won national awards for his teaching and research contributions to the field of rehabilitation. The American Rehabilitation Counseling Association has recognized four research studies in which he has participated. His recent research activities address the employment discrimination experiences and the reasonable accommodation needs of people with severe chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis.
Rubin coordinated the Doctor of Rehabilitation Program at the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale for 25 years. In addition to his collaboration with Roessler, he has authored several widely used, comprehensive in-service training packages for practicing rehabilitation counselors.