P.R. Laws tit. 20, § 2652
The following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Rehabilitation counseling. — Means the comprehensive individual or group process of a structured and enabling nature that establishes an interactive relationship between the rehabilitation counselor and the person with or without functional limitations to the integrated development of his/her abilities and skills that is directed toward all the aspects of his/her life, including his/her employment or independent living goals in order to reach an optimum quality of life. This process is directed toward the development or restoration of functional independence and the quality of life of the person. The functional independence that is pursued through the rehabilitation counseling process involves several goals that entail inclusion, self-sufficiency, integration, and independent life. It includes high quality of life levels resulting as a part of the integral rehabilitation of the human being. This constitutes an opportunity to include significant dimensions and individual considerations in the life of human beings, such as the medical, psychological, social personal, cultural, educational, vocational, and spiritual.
(b) Rehabilitation counselor. — Means any professional who, with adequate knowledge of human behavior and development and of social institutions, uses the principles and techniques of rehabilitation counseling to provide the incapacitated persons services compatible with their rehabilitation needs.
(c) Incapacitated person. — Means any person who suffers from a physical and/or mental limitation which constitutes a substantial handicap to engage in any working activity.
(d) Independent living. — Means a philosophy centered on having the person with disabilities acquire control over his/her life-impacting decisions. This includes peer support, self-management, self-determination, equal access to services, and the individual intercession of systems with the purpose of broadening and diversifying opportunities to the fullest and developing their leadership to ensure their full integration and inclusion to society as human beings. Furthermore, it means to have the right and opportunity to take any action and assume responsibilities as part of his/her life process.
(e) Board. — Means the Board of Examiners of Rehabilitation Counseling created by this chapter.
History —May 27, 1976, No. 58, p. 167, § 2; Sept. 11, 2006, No. 198, § 1.