Ten years on and more: establishing programmes of rehabilitation education: the New Zealand case

Purpose: This paper describes the establishment of programmes of rehabilitation education. Rehabilitation education has been a major but perhaps underlying factor in the disability movement around the world. Method: The New Zealand effort to develop a rehabilitation education programme is examined, including history, early formation, structural arrangements within the university setting, and relationship with the society. Results: Programme establishment is neither simple nor rapid, but does offer rewards and ultimately, viable programmes that offer meaningful careers and direction. Conclusions: Maintaining the programmes will require support by people with disabilities as well as professionals and academics in allied areas.