This article guides college counselors who provide services to students with disabifities through pertinent fegaf, ethical, and clinicaf considerations.
Medical and technological breakthroughs, along with laws requiring equal access and attitudinal changes in society, have allowed people with disabilities to become more active, visible, and given them greater access to educational and counseling services. Counselors who had only infrequently served clients with disabilities are now likely to be seeing these clients on a regular basis. Counselors need to be informed about disability issues to provide appropriate services and meet the legal, ethical, and professional challenges of counseling this diverse group. The purpose of this article is to provide college counselors with an understanding of (a) college students with dis- abilities, (b) major legislation and legal issues, (c) pertinent ethical concerns, and (d) clinical issues relevant to counseling students with disabilities.
MAJOR LEGISLATION AND LEGAL ISSUES
Several historical legal cases and federal laws pertain to people with disabilities. Most involve vocational and educational training, and access. Two laws with which all college counselors should be familiar are the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-11 2) and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101 -336), known as the ADA. Case law (judicial decisions arising from lawsuits) further defines these federal laws. Important litigation decisions (pursuant to the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act) that affect higher education relate mostly to admissions, readmissions, classroom accommodations, auxiliary aides, and academic adjustments (Milani, 1 996). However, counseling centers must also be proactive and sensitive to students with disabilities. For example, counselors can communicate respect and sensitivity to students with disabilities by providing printed materials that outline their legal rights. The Rehabilitation Act (1 973) was the first comprehensive disability law. Section 504. Nondiscrimination under Federal Grants and Programs, is based