Answer to Question 1
Rehabilitation centers serving those with a mental or physical disability provide a variety of services, such as vocational evaluation, sheltered employment, work adjustment training, counseling services, placement services, respite care, support groups for caregivers, recreational programs, and educational programs. Some of the services provided by the rehabilitation centers are as follows:
Vocational evaluation: Clients are assessed on the basis of work behavior, physical capacities, social interaction, psychological functioning, and vocational goals and interests. Emphasis is on identifying the client's vocational assets and limitations.
Sheltered employment: These programs provide a work environment for individuals who are unable to secure or maintain jobs in the community. Clients are paid (often below the minimum-wage level) for work produced. Work tasks derive from various subcontract jobs from other industries in the community and allow for long-term vocational development and possible placement into competitive employment. There is periodic evaluation of clients' progress in meeting rehabilitation objectives to ensure maximum vocational and personal development.
Placement services: These programs assist clients in securing competitive employment. First, clients' work habits and skills are assessed. Then, they receive training in searching for a job, applying for a job, and holding a job. Counselors then seek, together with clients, to place the clients with local employers. After placement, contact is maintained for a period of time to deal with any adjustment problems that may arise. At many work sites in the community, counselors serve as job coaches (often for a few weeks) to assist the clients in learning and performing the tasks of the positions for which they have been hired.
Answer to Question 2
a