Training needs of rehabilitation counselors and rehabilitation teachers in state vocational rehabilitation agencies serving individuals with visual disabilities

This study compared the perceived training needs of newly hired rehabilitation counselors working with individuals with visual disabilities and newly hired rehabilitation teachers. Administrators from 35 general and specialized state vocational rehabilitation agencies in all 10 RSA regions identified a total of 191 training needs for these two groups of professionals. Two of the top three training needs (assistive technology and agency policies/process) were the same for rehabilitation teachers and rehabilitation counselors who work with individuals with visual disabilities. However, training in job development and job placement was the most frequently reported training need for newly hired rehabilitation counselors working with individuals with visual disabilities, whereas training in blindness in teaching skills was the most frequently reported need for newly hired rehabilitation teachers. Differences in the training needs by type of agency (general, specialized) are also identified.