Ten years on and more: establishing programmes of rehabilitation education: the New Zealand case.

Abstract

This paper describes the establishment of programmes of rehabilitation education. Rehabilitation education has been a major but perhaps underlying factor in the disability movement around the world. The New Zealand effort to develop a rehabilitation education programme is examined, including history, early formation, structural arrangements within the university setting, and relationship with the society. Programme establishment is neither simple nor rapid, but does offer rewards and ultimately, viable programmes that offer meaningful careers and direction. Maintaining the programmes will require support by people with disabilities as well as professionals and academics in allied areas.