National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns

 When the “Council” was formed in 1969 as a voice within NRA, the National Association of Non-White Rehabilitation Workers (NANWRW) was formed as a separate nonprofit association independent of NRA. NANWRW, was an advocate for issues and programs that were of concern to non white members and non white persons with disabilities. The “Council” and NANWRW advocated both inside and outside of NRA and were effective in increasing the representation of non white persons in the rehabilitation community.

The impact of the “Council” and its leaders may be seen in increased participation of non-whites in the RSA & NIDRR peer review process, advocacy for establishment of Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the establishment of an R & T Center at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Prior to the establishment of the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns (NAMRC), the “Council” also hosted luncheons, receptions, and separate training at the annual NRA conference for its members. 

Today, NAMRC has representation on the NRA Board of Directors and within various rehabilitation counseling advocacy groups. NAMRC hosts its own training conference annually and enjoys presentations that address evidence-based practices and multicultural issues from a wide representation of rehabilitation practitioners, administrators, educators, students, researchers, and consumers.