Developing Readiness for Effective Self-Advocacy: Perspectives From Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Who Work With Deaf Individuals in Postsecondary Settings

Effective self-advocacy skills have been shown to positively influence lifetime outcomes of deaf people. Prior research suggests that many deaf people may be underprepared to effectively self-advocate in postsecondary settings due to a lack of effective training and opportunities. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors who work with and serve deaf clients are in a unique position to support deaf clients’ self-advocacy skill building, especially during the transition into the workforce and other postsecondary settings. The purpose of this study was to explore how VR counselors promote the self-advocacy knowledge and skills of their deaf consumers within postsecondary employment and educational contexts. Implications for practice and future directions for research are discussed.