Client Interview Process

Question 1
1) Autonomy – To respect the rights of clients to be self-governing within their social and cultural framework.
Ex: Listen to the client to gain an understanding of where their vocational goal interests lie. Assist them with finding information about the vocational goal and the impact it will have on their daily living. Information that may be useful in helping the client to make an informed decision could be job requirements, availability of jobs within a geographical location, necessary educations and training and earning potential.
2) Beneficence – To do good to others and to promote the well-being of the clients.
Ex: A client who would like services because they are experiencing hearing loss, which is affecting their employment and daily living activities. As a counselor you might work with the client to schedule evaluations with ENT and audiologist. Once the results of the evaluation have been returned discuss these with the client. If hearing aids are indicated work with providers to obtain and then follow up with client to ensure that they are working appropriately. You may also assist the client with an assistive technology evaluation that will address any workplace and home accommodations that might be necessary, such as flashing alarms,
bed shakers, TDD phones or voice messaging software for computer.
3) Fidelity – To be faithful to keep promises and to honor the trust placed in rehabilitation counselors.
Ex: Vocational rehabilitation is a process and during the initial meeting this process is explained to the client as well as the necessary steps that need to be taken to complete the process. These steps may require evaluations, referrals, client input on vocational goal and plan, training, working toward job placement. The counselor needs to follow up on all of these things to ensure that the process is progressing as initially indicated to the client. It is also important that the client and counselor maintain contact in order for information to be shared regarding the movement through the
process.

4) Justice – To be fair in the treatment of all clients and to provide appropriate services to all
Ex: Allocating the same amount of time to each new referral to ensure that all necessary information is gathered a good consumer/counselor rapport can be established and each client feels that they are given the same consideration and treatment.
5) Nonmaleficence – To do no harm to others
Ex: Providing mental restoration services to a consumer who may indicate signs of a mental instability. Discussing with the client the need and benefit of these services in order to have more positive vocational and daily living outcome.
6) Veracity – To be honest
Ex: Clients may choose vocational goals that are unrealistic and it will be important to be honest with them about the evaluations, records and information obtained that indicate this may not be the most suitable vocational goal for them.
Question 2
Person first Language is using language that puts the person first and the disability second. Using person first language is important because individuals are more than just the disability. They are people who have individual abilities, interests and needs.
Person first language is important because the way we address individuals reflects on how society sees that individual. If we are addressing individuals or discussing them based on the disability we are devaluing and disrespecting the individual.
Terms to avoid: handicap, cripple/crippled, physically challenged, differently abled, a disabled person or an autistic man. The use of these terms addresses only the disability it does not address the abilities of the individual. Using these terms also places the focus on the disability and not the individual. We all face some form of physical challenge or are differently abled in some way.
Acceptable terms may include: Accessible, person with a disability, a person who has autism, an individual who uses a wheelchair.