I graduated in May 1999 with a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling psychology and counseling from UNC. The Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and Counseling is a graduate program housed within the School of Medicine's Allied Health Department.
Unfortunately, I recently learned that this vital program will soon no longer exist due to budget cutbacks.
For those of you not aware of the importance of this program, please allow me to enlighten you.
This program is responsible for educating professionals in empowering individuals with disabilities. Students in the program learn a variety of skills including, but not limited to, vocational assessment and testing, case management, counseling and advocacy.
As a graduate and as a person with a disability, I find it hard to comprehend how an institution that prides itself in inclusion and diversity could dissolve such a critical program.
Like other minorities, people with disabilities have a long history of disenfranchisement and separation. This program teaches students to recognize the barriers that continue to exist for people with disabilities and encourages them to become change agents in a variety of ways.
I encourage anyone interesting in ensuring that these values continue at UNC to write Chancellor James Moeser and Dr. Jeffrey L. Houpt, dean of the School of Medicine, to express your concerns over the closure of the Division of Rehabilitation Psychology and Counseling.
Kimberly R. Floyd
Class of 1999
