Education of VR Professionals and Their Roles and Functions in Employment Services for Persons with Disabilities: Taiwan Experiences Ming Hung Wang, Ph.D., CRC Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Counseling National Changhua University of Education, Taiwan

Topics Vocational Rehabilitation Services in Taiwan Roles and Functions of VR professionals in VR services Education and Training of VR professionals

Transition to work One-Stop Window Social welfare agencies Schools Hospitals PWD Community-Based Services

One stop windows Sheltered Workshop Individualized purchased services Job accommodation services One stop windows Entrepreneurial Guidance & Home Employment Vocational Training supported employment services General employment services Vocational Evaluation

Official Professional Title Based on the tasks performed, the professional titles can be certificated with: Supervisor VR Case Manager Vocational Evaluator Employment Service Staff Vocational Skill Trainer Certifications issued by Department of Workforce, Ministry of Labor, Taiwan

VR Case Management Services Intake Assessment IEP Services provided follow-up VR Case Managers Vocational Evaluators Employment services staff Vocational Skill trainers Clinic Supervisor

Roles and Functions of VR professionals in Taiwan Career Counseling, Assessment, IEP Resources Coordinating, Advocacy VR case managers Standardized Testing, Work samples, Situational Assessment Improving self-awareness and IEP development Vocational Evaluation Job development, Supported employment (on-the-job supports) Job accommodation (work with job accommodation specialist) Employer consultant Employment Service Staff

One-stop window New Cases served annually 5400-5700 Served by 150 VRCAs Major disability types served Intellectual Disability 36.4% Physical Disability (Limb disability) 13.6% Chronic Mental Illness 18.4% Total Successful closure rate (average) 51.8% Open employment without continuing supports 42.9% Open employment with continuing supports 3.2% Sheltered workshop employment 5.7% Duration of VR Services Initial Interview to Case Closure 179 days (median) Follow-up after placement for three months

Becoming a VR professional Go to Training Courses  Certification BA in related areas + Short-term training + Work experiences Go to Rehabilitation Counseling Master programs Master degree (MS) in Rehabilitation Counseling ＋Work experiences

Go to Training Courses  Certification BA degree 1-2 yrs. Work experience 36 hrs. VR case manager 1 yr. work experience 160 hrs. Vocational evaluator 80 hrs. Employment specialist

National Changhua University of Education (Middle) Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Counseling (Master degree), Taiwan National Changhua University of Education (Middle) National Taiwan Normal University (North) National Kaohsiung Normal University (South)

Background of Our students Their Bachelor degree before Admission % Medical college(OT, PT, ST, Nurses) 20% Social Work 30% Special Education Psychology/Education/Counseling Others 10% Total 100%

Career prospect Vocational Rehabilitation Professionals Employment specialist Vocational evaluator Clinical Supervisor VR Case manager Certified Applied behavior analyst (BCBA) Certified Counselor

VR professional Development Continuing Education Courses provided by governments, Free by your own Interests and VR titles you want to keep Qualification Renewal 90 hours/three years

Future Trend RC undergraduate courses (20 credits) Cross-disciplines Meet the criteria of VR certification. Licensure for Rehabilitation Counselor Master degree Professional services for areas such as: VR services, transition services, and psychosocial adjustment counseling, career counseling, community Independent services, and advocacy (with persons with disabilities)

Welcome to Taiwan The First Asian-Pacific Vocational Rehabilitation Conference in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, November 2005.