| Popis: |
Rehabilitation counselors work with the clients family, friends, and employer to increase employment opportunities by means of their roles as counselor, coordinator, and consultant. Increasing employment opportunities often includes purchasing and learning to use assistive technology devices, equipment modification, improving accessibility, etc. The objective of this research is to examine knowledge and experience of OVR counselors in a common area of assistive technology: wheeled mobility device. A survey, given to public rehabilitation counselors in Pennsylvania, obtained information about counselors caseloads, their knowledge of wheeled mobility and their use of good evaluation and selection strategies. This study shows that counselors with in-depth knowledge of AT devices seem more likely to: (1) support their clients in making informed choices about their technology needs, (2) consider the relationship between wheelchair features and job demands, and (3) listen to their clients opinion. Further study is needed on the relationship between OVR counselors knowledge about AT devices and factors that influence recommending or purchasing wheeled mobility devices. |
