Charlene M. Kampfe

Reading achievement of prelingually deaf students and its relationship to parental method of communication: a review of the literature

Historically, one of the issues in the education of deaf children has been whether reading achievement is related to parental method of communication. Although deaf children of signing deaf parents typically read at higher levels than deaf children of non-signing hearing parents, this does not necessarily support the notion that manual communication leads to higher reading skills. Studies comparing signing versus non-signing parents without regard for parental hearing status have typically found no relationship between parental method and childrens reading skills. Those examining specific types of manual communication and parental skill level, however, have found some evidence of a relationship between these variables and reading. The authors conclude that more research is needed before unbiased recommendations can be made to parents regarding which method of communication will have the greatest impact on their childrens reading abilities.

Parental Reaction To A Child's Hearing Impairment

Traditionally, parental reactions to a childs hearing loss have been discussed in terms of stages of the mourning process. Although this framework has been helpful in describing parent adjustment, it appears too simple. Parents react in complex ways to their childrens disabilities; these complexities must be considered when working with families. A model of transition that accounts for individual differences is used to discuss the potential interaction among variables associated with the mourning process.

Parental Expectations As a Factor in Evaluating Children for the Multichannel Cochlear Implant

Recent developments in technology have resulted in a new assistive device for profoundly deaf children: the cochlear implant. However, many variables must be considered when evaluating children for the device, one of which is parental expectations. Because expectations are sometimes unreasonably high, cochlear implant teams need to be aware of the dynamics involved in expectations and of ways to help parents come to a realistic understanding of the benefits and limitations of implants.

Economic Outcome of Employment for Older Participants in Rehabilitation Services Funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration

The purpose of this study was to determine if persons who were age 65 or older and who participated in vocational rehabilitation programs funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) experienced an increase in earnings from paid employment at the conclusion of services. Preservice and postservice earnings for 9,787 consumers of RSA services who were age 65 or older, had a disability, and had cases closed as rehabilitated (Status 26) or as not rehabilitated (Status 28) in the year 2002 were examined. The authors found that 33.4% of participants had cases closed as not rehabilitated, 34% had cases closed as rehabilitated to unpaid work, and 32.6% had cases closed as rehabilitated to paid employment. Participants who achieved employment at the time of case closure had an average earnings increase from paid work of

Methods and Materials for Infusing Aging Issues into the Rehabilitation Curriculum

4,990 a year.

The history of adoption in the United States: A focus on the unique group of intercountry transracial special needs children

This article is a follow-up to an earlier publication that called for infusion of aging issues into the rehabilitation counseling curriculum. This follow-up article provides methods and materials that can be used to teach content regarding rehabilitation and persons who are older.

Infusing End-of-Life Issues into the Rehabilitation Counselor Education Curriculum.

This article reviews the history of adoption in the United States from colonial times to the present day. It details the changes that have occurred in the process of adoption and in the kinds of children who, over this history, have become adoptees. It also focuses on the unique group of intercountry transracial special needs adoptees.

Rehabilitation Student Perceptions of Web-Based Learning

Rehabilitation counselors are assisting consumers with end-of-life issues. Counselors who have the capacity to assist with end-of-life issues in a culturally sensitive manner possess pre-established self-care networks, an understanding of death from multiple perspectives, knowledge of communication interventions, and appropriate outcome expectations. Rehabilitation counselors may assess decision making processes, environmental presses, and social support systems in order to provide counseling interventions, educational services, and advocacy. End-of-life issues that counselors may need to address include unfinished business, existential meaning, loss, anxiety, and problem-solving. Rehabilitation counselor educators can prepare counselors to assist consumers with end-of-life issues by infusing training specific to end-of-life issues in assessment, counseling techniques, advocacy, and professional ethics curriculum.

Socio-ecological influences of attitudes toward disability among Kenyan undergraduate students

A collaborative effort was undertaken by the University of Arizona, Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration, San Diego State University, and the Dinè (Navajo) Nation’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services to provide Web-based training in assistive technology to rehabilitation students. This article describes the process of course delivery and the perceptions of University of Arizona students about their experiences. Following completion of the course, a Perception Survey was administered to the students to ascertain positive and negative perceptions of participating in a Web-based course. The students’ responses are used throughout the article to convey their perceptions. The findings of this project support current literature regarding students’ perceptions of Web-based distance education; however, several inconsistencies emerged within themes. Themes and the inconsistencies within them are discussed along with the impact that this Web-based course had on program development at the University of Arizona.

Coping Strategies Used by Distance Rehabilitation Counseling Interns

This study examined personal and contextual variables as predictors of attitudes toward disability at a Kenyan higher education setting. Participants were a convenience sample of 309 undergraduate students at a Kenyan university enrolled in Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Political Science, and Public Administration majors. Data on attitudes were collected using the Attitudes Towards Disabled Persons scale (ATDP: Antonac & Livneh, 1988). A cross-sectional survey design was employed for data collection, and a multiple regression analysis was used for data analysis. Results revealed that the model was significant: F (9, 250) = 2.784, p = 0.004. However, only age (β = 0.173, p = 0.044) significantly predicted attitudes towards disability, indicating older students held more positive attitudes than their younger counterparts. Older students had a more favourable attitude towards people with disabilities than younger students. Seniority, by age, is highly valued in Africa than perhaps anywhere in the world. Kenyan older adults may be key to enhancing favourable attitudes toward individuals with disabilities in Kenya as well as interventions aimed at changing negative attitudes towards people with disabilities.