Department Of Rehabilitation Education & Research Receives Federal Half Million Dollar Grant For Graduate Student Support

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The department of rehabilitation education and research in the College of Education and Health Professions received notice of a half million-dollar grant approved by the U.S. Department of Education earlier this month. The funding, which will offer financial support to 15 graduate students in the program for five years beginning September 1, 2000, is designed to sponsor future rehabilitation counselors and advocates who will help the field address the priorities highlighted in the Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act.

The department of rehabilitation education and research, among the nation's best and most highly-regarded programs of its kind, prepares its doctoral candidates to be rehabilitation educators, researchers, service personnel and deafness specialists. Rehabilitation graduates from the University of Arkansas have risen to prominence in a variety of high-ranking rehabilitation positions throughout the state and country, and, according to department head Jason Andrew, have made tremendous progress in the field at both local and national levels.

"Through this grant," Andrew said, " we will be able to modestly expand our program to ensure the growth of the professional field of rehabilitation. By offering a meaningful route of study through the program, our graduates will find professional futures in making a difference in the lives of people living with disabilities."

"Consistent with the theme of empowerment in the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, this proposal calls for a training program that is based on the principal that people with disabilities should have broad-based life options available to them with opportunities for employment and independent living in keeping with their needs, preferences and rights," Andrew said.

Each of the 15 doctoral students funded through the grant will receive a stipend of approximately $12,000 per year over a five-year period. Those students will also have limited access to a travel and supply budget that will offer them opportunities to conduct and present research at state and national conferences. Although the department and University are responsible for 47 percent of funding for this cohort of students, Andrew feels certain that the $496,838 over five years will give the department a much-needed boost in graduate student support.