Social Work Education and Disability

Abstract

Social work has a long history in the areas of rehabilitation and work with people with disabilities, at least as far as medical social work is concerned. During the 1960s, funding and opportunities in the area of disability and rehabilitation provided opportunities for an increased involvement of social workers. in the last two decades, however, social work has virtually relinquished its place to rehabilitation professionals, counselors, and the medical profession. Education and research have not focused on these areas. A 1992 survey of graduate schools of social work revelaed that, even with the impetus of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, few school have content on disability and rehabilitation. As a step toward upgrading curriculum enhancement are described.