The Consumer Movement and Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Abstract

This article challenges human service organizations to empower consumers by involving them at all levels in service-delivery systems. Historically, professional staff have held the dominant role, but this is changing. A powerful consumer movement of people with psychiatric disabilities is spreading across the United States. The potential impact of this new consumer revolt is best understood in the context of the more general consumer movement, which, over three decades, has literally changed how America does business.

The author outlines the rise of consumerism in the United States and draws parallels with the evolving consumer movement of people with psychiatric disabilities. Management gurus and leaders in the psychiatric consumer movement are quoted with examples of consumer involvement to support the author's contention that people with psychiatric disabilities themselves must have a dominant role in the development and delivery of services.