The early history of NAMRC is best summarized by Ted Daniels, former National Chair of the Council of Non-White Rehabilitation Workers in a speech presented at the National Rehabilitation Association's (NRA) 1987 annual conference in New Orleans, LA. He described the circumstances, emotions, determination and commitment of the non-white rehabilitation professionals who established the early framework. Their frustration grew out of a lack of meaningful participation by non-whites in the affairs of NRA and their resolve was to achieve permanent change and full partnership. Mr. Daniels states, "In 1969, forty-six years after the inception of NRA, the National Association of Non-white Rehabilitation Workers (NANRW) was established by a group of irate, angry and frustrated rehabilitation professionals, all members of NRA…and I might add that no Black, Hispanic or other non-white person had served in any policy making position in NRA up until this time."
The true beginning of the NANRW occurred in 1969 at the NRA National Conference in New York City. The bold stand taken by nine members of the Non-White Caucus of this conference was reflected in a document entitled "Non-White Caucus Demands," and presented to the NRA Board of Directors. The nine persons were led by Thomas Washington and Dr. George Ayers, and included such early pioneers as Henry Williams, Vernon Hawkins, Beth Anderson and Jose Rodriquez. The list of five demands addressed such issues as: expanding the non-white voting membership, employing non-whites within NRA staff, increasing non-white involvement in NRA legislative agenda, expanding the participation of active NRA support to directing public funds to non-white rehabilitation and community organizations. The NRA Board of Directors accepted the demands in principle and agreed to formulate an appropriate resolution to be presented at the Delegate Assembly.
On November 3, 1969, NRA's Board of Directors approved Resolution 4, titled, "Non-White Involvement in NRA." Resolution 14 served as the official recognition by NRA that a problem of non-white involvement existed within the Association. The adoption of Resolution 14 by the Delegate Assembly served as the official vehicle to begin correcting the problems identified by the Non-White Caucus. It also served as a mandate for NRA's Executive Committee to develop implementation strategies and action recommendations for the Board of Directors. Resolution 14 included specific strategies to increase minority representation on the NRA Board and that of local chapters, a commitment to monitor and evaluate progress in this area and a plan to communicate the Board's policy intent throughout the organization.
Many of the aims and principles embodied in Resolution 14 were realized in the seventies and early eighties through the formally established Council of Non-White Rehabilitation Workers (CNWRW) of NRA. A permanent NRA Board position was established for the Council in 1970 and has continued.
As with other evolving organizations, NAMRC had its periods of excitement and frustration. However, the historic activities, which took place in 1969, provided both the foundation and the motivation to continue to address the disparities in rehabilitation service delivery success for non-whites with disabilities. It also surfaced the need to recognize the significant role that minority professionals can and must play in the affairs of the Association.
The period 1983-1990 can be best
described as an era of rebirth and rededication for NAMRC. This
period in rehabilitation represented a coming of age for
minorities and a growing recognition of the issues, which affect
them. Changes in government mandates, expanded research and
national studies during this period all served to validate the
existence of inequities in treatment and service quality for
non-whites.
Along with this renewed support and recognition, came the
emergence of state chapters, beginning with Michigan in 1983.
The CNWRW representative to NRA Board now had state and regional
support to act as a voice for non-white rehabilitation
professionals and to advocate for the non-white consumers. The
Council annually reported to NRA on issues, needs and policy
changes relevant to non-whites. Workshops at the annual NRA
conference began to showcase research, best practices and new
models relevant to the delivery of rehabilitation services to
non-whites.
The development of the Michigan chapter began the process for expanding membership within the states and developing a stronger national network. The chapter formed under the umbrella of Michigan Rehabilitation Association as an equal state chapter of the Association, having all the rights and responsibilities, as other well-established state chapters. The Michigan Chapter, unlike the national council, did not limit its membership to non-whites only, but rather extended it to any NRA member who was committed to support the Council's objectives. This change was significant because as Michigan assumed greater national leadership in the 1980s, it was the model, which became the template for other state chapter development and ultimately led to the establishment of a National Division. Along with the rededication and rebirth came increased awareness of non-white issues, renewed interest in rehabilitation among minority professionals and new NRA non-white members, many of whom also joined other NRA divisions.
The 1990s served as the transition years between the historical events of 1969 and the beginning of a period of new energy and rededication. In 1990 CNWRW petitioned the NRA delegate assembly to change its name from the Council of Nonwhite Rehabilitation Workers to the Council of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns, a fundamental shift from the characteristics of the membership to that of the issues, which the Council would address.
In 1991, the Council filed a petition to the NRA Board of Directors for the granting of Division status. With the concurrence of the delegate assembly, NAMRC achieved division status in February 1992. As a division, NAMRC was able to participate as a full partner in NRA and no longer solely as an advisor.
The NAMRC Board of Directors consists of elected officers, immediate past-president and eight directors with alternating terms elected from the Association's membership and a representative to the NRA Board.
NAMRC has the following standing committees: Bylaws, Membership, Nominating, Publications and Conference Committees. These Committees have the primary responsibility of carrying out the mission of the Association with active involvement of the general membership.
The Association places a high priority and emphases on staff development and training in multicultural education programs-at the national, regional, state, local and levels.
Education and awareness of multicultural issues is a primary goal of the Association. Programs and activities also provide vehicles for the organization to advocate for the rehabilitation needs of multicultural persons with disabilities, ensure the provision of quality and equitable services and enhance the development of multicultural rehabilitation professionals.
To support its mission NAMRC holds an annual national conference, in July of each year, and sponsors training workshops at the annual NRA training conference. Both activities provide opportunities for growth and development, networking and the formulation of the Association's issue-driven action agenda. State and Regional chapters and associations play a pivotal role in advancing the mission of NAMRC.
While the membership of NAMRC is diverse, the only requirement to join is to support the principles and goals of the organization. Members are found in all of the NRA regions, as well as Canada. In addition to the charter chapter in Michigan, NAMRC currently has chapters, in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. NAMRC also has a strong presence in Illinois and North Carolina. NAMRC is the "fastest growing NRA division" with 400 + members.
Relationships with Howard University, Southern University and other major colleges and universities are important cogs which aid NAMRC in educating rehabilitation counselors and providing instruments to effect behavioral changes. Research has been used as a basis to support the granting of funds to provide essential training, educational programs, further research and literature of multicultural issues.
A national survey (Farish 1993) conducted by NAMRC of its members to establish long and short term training initiatives and priorities for the Association revealed and confirmed the critical needs among persons with disabilities from varying cultural backgrounds. Other issues identified for focus in the organization include recruitment of minority professionals, cross cultural counseling, cultural awareness activities and networking with related disciplines. The survey provided major areas of concern and/or items for immediate action.
Daniels, T. (1987 November) "History of NCNWRW." Speech presented at NRA Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA
Farish, J. (1993 July) Membership Needs Survey. Report prepared for NAMRC Annual Meeting ,Summit I, Las Vegas, NV
National Association of Multicultural Concerns (1992) Constitution and Bylaws
National Rehabilitation Association. (1969 November) Resolution 14, taken from office Minutes of the Association
This article was excerpted in part from the "Journal of Rehabilitation" (July/August/September 1995)
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