Rehabilitation education - some future directions

Rehabilitation is seen as a process with an end goal rather than a continuing system of training and support, which encourages the continuous involvement of each individual with society. The need for change in rehabilitation argues for change in terms of staff attitudes and knowledge. It demands a more diversified and complex education than is presently offered to rehabilitation personnel in most countries. Reinstitutionalisation may be occasioned by the desperation of parents and handicapped people, themselves living in inappropriate circumstances. It has also been argued that there should be the development of demonstration centres. Unless programme evaluation occurs we shall precipitate a re-cycling of rehabilitation concepts with consequent institutionalisation of handicapped individuals. Quality of life basically involves a process whereby the individual becomes increasingly in control of his environment regardless of baseline. It is becoming recognised that there is an urgent need to apply rehabilitation techniques to needs within developing countries.