Toward A Systemic Theoretical Framework for Vocational Rehabilitation

Abstract

This article presents a theoretical framework for vocational rehabilitation based on social systems theory. Social systems theory provides a unifying perspective for vocational rehabilitation both from a service delivery standpoint and from a professional development standpoint. Professional issues in the public and private sectors are addressed, including insurance specialist certification and ethical standards. It is proposed that social systems theory can supplant the strongly imbedded medical and psychological models at the metatheoretical level, while complementing the other models in the study of the individual.