Developing self-determination through career development activities: Implications for vocational rehabilitation counselors

The demands of today's workforce include advanced training and high standards for productivity, problem solving, and teamwork. While several studies report that the enrollment rate of persons with disabilities in postsecondary education is increasing, they are experiencing limited success. Numerous authors suggest that the poor post-school outcomes of youth with disabilities are due to their limited development of self-determination and career decision-making skills. This paper provides a brief discussion on the relationship of self-determination to career development, a review of model transition programs that capitalize on the expertise of school and agency personnel who collaborate and share resources, the role of the rehabilitation counselor in promoting self-determination and career development skills, and recommendations for practice and policy issues affecting both vocational rehabilitation and education professionals.