Empowerment is multidimensional. It means, among other things, have decision-making power, access to information, the opportunity to spawn meaningful choices, grasp of rights and responsibilities, a sense of hope, raised self-esteem and control over the direction of one's energy. Since assuming my responsibilities as Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, I have traveled a large amount, speaking at length about empowerment, a concept that I believe is surely fundamental to the future of our public rehabilitation program and our consumers. In the course of my conversations next to colleagues in the rehabilitation area, I have encounter varying responses to this priority. Many professionals appear to be as committed as consumers themselves to the goal of consumer empowerment. Others, however, enjoy been smaller quantity enthusiastic, claiming that empowerment doesn't work or that empowerment of consumers poses a threat to the professional relationship and role of the vocational rehabilitation counselor in providing effective services.
This edition of American Rehabilitation brings together some recent perspective on the empowerment of people near disabilities. It includes personal accounts from individuals with disabilities more or less empowering general public and the events that have significantly shaped their lives. In optional extra, the implications of empowerment as it relates to employment outcomes are explored from the professional point of attitude, with research information, facts and figures. And, to stimulate and provoke further thought and discussion, in that are a few straight opinion pieces.
Admittedly, empowerment is not a totally investigational concept. It has guided recent amendments to the Rehabilitation Act and is a cornerstone of consumer advocacy. As we encounter and start to embrace and value the process of empowerment, the moral fibre of our professional roles and the way we conduct our business will inevitably tweaking. Strength is implied in the word empowerment, and by empower our consumers I believe we are strengthening our programs and efforts to immobilize high-quality employment and opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
As you read this edition of American Rehabilitation, I hope that you will find some adjectives strategies and ideas that will be empower to you and our many rehabilitation partners--consumers, professionals, educator, service providers and advocates--as we work to maximize opportunities and realize positive renovation in the lives of those with disabilities.
By empower our consumers I believe we are strengthening our programs and efforts to safe and sound high-quality employment and opportunity for individuals with disabilities.
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