ABSTRACT
Ethical considerations in counseling IWDs are provided, including the provision of in-office accommodations mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act. When history-taking, counselors should first consider that any perceived lack of accomplishment or achievement may be due to a denial of societal resources and opportunity structures, rather than anything related to the IWD or the disability. Counselors are also advised to avoid paternalism but provide informed choice and view the IWD as a valid decision maker. Counselors should not automatically assume that the disability is the “presenting problem,” nor should counselors expect the client with a disability to present a one-person “disability awareness seminar.” Ten specific practice guidelines were described. These are 1) recognize that clients with disabilities (CWDs) view their counselors as IWODs; 2) provide accommodations; 3) resist the urge to simplify the CWD’s identity or to categorize CWDs; 4) question your own biases; 5) respect the client; respect the disability; 6) recognize that it might take longer to establish rapport; 7) do not confuse normalcy with the ideal; 8) question if the environment is limiting the client’s achievements and life choices; 9) do not pathologize the disability; and 10) do not idealize the client’s pre-disability life.
