WORK: A Journal of Prevention,Assessment & Rehabilitation

Because people with disabilities often experience an increased risk for physical and psychological complications of job stress, vocational rehabilitation professionals must be able to (a) identify individual and work-environmental risk factors for job stress and (b) design appropriate interventions to minimize those risk factors. The purpose of this article is to (a) present two models of occupational stress, (b) examine factors common to each of these models that are associated with employee health and well-being, and (c) suggest implications for rehabilitation planning.

The article describes the medical and psychosocial aspects of borderline personality disorder, a common and sometimes severe psychiatric condition marked by emotional instability and problems with interpersonal relationships. Medication, psychosocial and other treatment issues are discussed within the context of the rehabilitation counselor's role in providing vocational services for people with borderline personality disorder.

Three influences in American education during the past decade -- increased parental involvement, an emphasis on accountability and student outcomes, and the refinement of assessment technologies -- are reflected in the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [31]. Relevant assessment provisions contained in IDEA 97 are reviewed, including requirements for (a) parental participation in the review and planning of student evaluations and eligibility decisions; (b) the participation of students with disabilities in statewide assessments; (c) the use of assessments that have treatment utility; and (d) data-based evaluation of student progress. Assessment characteristics and methods that are consistent with IDEA 97 requirements are described. Examples include problem-solving assessment; functional behavioral assessment; and direct assessment approaches such as naturalistic observation, analogue assessment, and self-monitoring.

HIV disease and AIDS are being redefined as chronic, long-term conditions that are suitable for vocational rehabilitation interventions. With the advent of more effective medical interventions, many individuals with these diseases are living longer and are interested in pursuing employment options. In this article, physiological and neurological symptoms, psychological and mental health issues, psychosocial issues affecting women, and employment-related issues and interventions are discussed as they apply to the health and rehabilitation practitioner working with individuals with HIV disease and AIDS.

Students with sensory impairments comprise a heterogeneous group that is often underserved by rehabilitation and other social services. This underserved status has been attributed to poor interagency collaboration and eligibility issues, the low incidence nature of these disabilities, and the shortage of trained professionals to address the specialized needs of these individuals. This article examines important educational and vocational characteristics of this population to assist rehabilitation professionals in supporting more effective transitions into employment and other adult roles. Specific transition considerations include unique learning challenges, assessment issues, assistive technology, and accommodations. The article concludes with strategies for transition planning, community integration, and evaluating transition outcomes.

Proprietary rehabilitation has developed into a distinct professional sector with procedures, practices, and philosophy that differ from those in the public rehabilitation program. As the new millennium commences, proprietary rehabilitation will face a variety of challenges and opportunities that could affect the future of this sector of the rehabilitation profession. Among these issues are changes in occupational information upon which many proprietary rehabilitation practices are based; increased opportunities for early intervention and establishment of disability management programs within industry; adjustment to the movement to a managed health care system; and the necessity to demonstrate fiscal efficacy of rehabilitation services to workers with compensable injuries. This article discusses these issues and suggests some ways in which those involved in proprietary rehabilitation can properly position themselves to address and benefit from these challenges and opportunities.

The article examines current and emerging trends in special education research. The role of scientific inquiry in shaping educational services for children with disabilities is emphasized, with a dual focus on (a) topic areas that are most fertile for future inquiry and (b) the scientific methods that researchers will use to address those topics.

This article (a) reviews changing perspectives about the roles and functions of the rehabilitation counselor and (b) summarizes the reflections of a graduate student in rehabilitation counseling regarding how these perspectives have influenced her emerging professional identity. A review of the literature indicates many different thoughts as to where the profession will stand in the 21st Century. These differing opinions make it challenging for students deciding what career direction to take in their course of study, as well as for practitioners who must stay abreast of new developments in the field to maintain job marketability.

Emphasis on community-based treatment, along with the development of effective psychotropic medication, has resulted in a major shift in treatment methods for individuals with severe mental illness over the past several years. The primary strategies emphasized in current psychiatric rehabilitation efforts include the strengthening of (a) client skills and competencies and (b) environmental supports. The purpose of this article is to discuss successful psychiatric rehabilitation models and their impact on the social integration of people with severe mental illness.