Advocacy to Invigorate Rehabilitation Counseling Professional Associations: A Reflective Inquiry and Suggested Action Goals

Abstract

Reflections and recommendations from American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA) leaders were solicited and analyzed to explore challenging issues considered relevant to all rehabilitation counseling (RC) associations. Of the 29 locatable Past-Presidents (from 1980 through 2016), 12 persons (41%) participated. The free-response questions emailed were the following: (1) describe the best accomplishment of your year as President; (2) explain the biggest challenge at that time for ARCA as an organization; (3) explain the concurrent challenges for the RC profession; and (4) specify two top priorities that ARCA leaders should work on, to have positive impact on RC’s stakeholders. The verbatim responses, presented in full in this article, were categorized into thematic clusters. The major themes that were identified echoed findings from some related prior studies and ongoing discourse within RC. Recommended goals for the profession’s sustainability are to (a) shape a stronger professional identity that is better understood and appreciated; (b) support an organizational vehicle or association for publicizing our voice and vision, and cultivating growth through ongoing professional collaboration; (c) increase the meaningful impact our profession has on its stakeholder groups; (d) enhance and maintain high standards of rehabilitation education and competent, ethical practice; and (e) engage in partnership with the disability community.