Wednesday, May 2, 1979
University Daily Kansan
11
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Shortage of counselors for disabled students causing problems, rehabilitation service says
Staff Renorter
By DAVID SIMPSON
A student with a disability has many barriers that stand in the way of an education, and a shortage of counselors sometimes allows the barriers to remain, according to Howard Moses, a supervisor in Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
Moses, who formerly was executive director of the Kansas Committee for the Handicapped, said the counselor shortage hurt the follow up work that needed to be done when a student with a disability attended college.
"A student might not know before going to college what his needs will be." Moses said. "Often, a student with a disability will attend classes for a long time without services, such as a law recorder, that the experienced counselor might suggest."
At the University of Kansas, Vocational Rehabilitation Services provides funds for the education and counseling of about 100 KU students.
MOSES SAID that the counselor shortage hurt the severely disabled person the most. By 1981, 56 percent of a counselor's casehold will be severely disabled persons, he said.
"The counselors just don't have the time needed to work with them," he said.
Geral Istilarte, a graduate student from Hawaii who is blind, said that from her experiences counselors were often overbooked and undertrained.
"One counselor will have up to 85 clients," Istiarte said. "The clients might all have different disabilities and it's hard for the counselor to keep up with them."
WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, acting director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Topeka, said funds for counselors were provided by federal and state funds, and the agency offered per capita income and stable population, adequate financing was not available.
"The federal government estimates that 5 percent of the population is handicapped," Montgomery said. "The national average for vocational rehabilitation counselors is one for every 25,000, while Kauai has only counselor for every 50,000 persons in the state."
Montgomery said that Iowa, a state similar in population to Kansas, had 160 million residents.
Kansas has 88 counselors and a 230-member staff.
MONTGOMERY SAID that because an increase in federal funding was not likely, Vocational Rehabilitation Services would be looking for additional state funds.
"Like any other service program, we will be competing for the taxpayer's dollar," he said. "Because the federal proportion of the funds will remain the same, we'll have to find out how much the state will invest in persons with disabilities."
Moses said the best way to obtain the additional funds would be to plan for the future.
"Social Rehabilitation Services is going to
have to plan two to three years down the road to get the funds we need." Moses said. "Our goal should be to add on people every year to assist in our programs."
DICK ROYSE, a member of the Kansas Department of Vocational Rehabilitation's Advisory Board and a KU student, said additional financing would ease a counselor's caesoneal and allow more time to learn about facilities offered for disabled students.
"Counselors now have the option of relying on information they've either seen or heard before sending a student with it in person, and that is why I say Royse said. "Most counselors are probably
familiar with Emporia State University's facilities because the vocational education school is there, so there may be a tendency to send students there."
Bob Turvey, assistant director of the Student Assistance Center, said that KU sent no information to counselors to inform them of facilities KU offered, but that counselors would be coming to the campus for a workshop this summer to see KU's programs.
"We are going to try to inform counselors of the accessibility of the KU campus and the positive experiences KU students have had," Turvey said. "It's our office's job to sell KU to students with disabilities, and this program could help."
FRESHMEN
Our class of 1982 mugs are in!
Come join the party Friday 2:30-5:30 at the Brewery
(if unable to attend, mugs are available in the BOCO office Kansas Union
Place a Kansan want ad Call 864-4358
$200 $Per Week
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT
Royal Prestige Needs Students Who Will Be Living In Kansas City, Topeka Lawrence, Wichita & Other Areas
For Further Info:
Come To Kansas Union-Governor's Room 2:30,4:30 Today
819 Mass., 843-3470 Where Styles Happen
Steak and eggs.
fresh eggs served anyway you like them
2 fresh eggs served with whipped cream or
hush browns toad and jelly
will be a hot cup of coffee
All for only $3.29
85% off regular price
Close the window
May 16th
No coupon needed
TEACHERS WANTED
Positions are available this spring and fall for college seniors and graduate students with degrees in Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering (U.S. citizenship, under the age of 28) to teach college and grade level courses at the Navy's Nuclear Power School in Orlando, Florida. An excellent benefits package is included and no teaching experience is required.
Contact Ed Gunderson, in Lawrence, at(913)841-4378 (collect) or write:
Navy Programs
610 Florida Street
Lawrence, KS 68044
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT in Overland Park & Topeka
Bossler Temporary Help
Available For
TYPISTS • STENOGRAPHERS • FILE CLERKS
KEYPUNCH OPERATORS • BOOKKEEPERS
- NO FEES -
in Overland Park Contact:
Ann Duwe
Bossier-Mix Personnel
6405 Metcalf
Overland Park, KS. 66202
913/282-8633
In Tokape Contact:
Bottle Derrington
Bottle Derrington
1035 S. Topka Ave,
Topkaka, K 6612 6
Topka, K 6612
Attention Pre-Dental Students
The KU Pre-Dental Club is sponsoring a trip to the UMKC School of Dentistry in Kansas City. The trip is scheduled for Friday, May 4. Departure from Lawrence will be at 12:30 p.m.
For more information call 841-0496 or 841-7128.
partially funded by Student Activities
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La Peka Inc.
Your Local Coors Dist.
843-7000