More than twenty years ago the 1965 Vocational Rehabilitation Act expanded rehabilitation to include persons with disabilities stemming from their cultural and social status. Yet, current appraisals of rehabilitation and Blacks who are disabled (BWO) reflect a bleak predicament. In spite of activities directed toward assisting rehabilitation professionals to become more effective with BWO, Blacks remain one of the least understood/accepted groups. Too much of what is assumed to be facts about BWO is predicated on a deficiency-oriented philosophy. Consequently, the author provides research-based approaches and recommendations focused on asset-oriented foundations to assist rehabilitationists in becoming more effective as counselors and cross-cultural advocates.
