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Assistant Professor
Southern University and A&M College
Kenner, Louisiana, United States
Derek Ruiz PhD, CRC, LPC, has 8 years of research experience with a focus on rehabilitation counselor education including supervision. He has a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialization in psychiatric disability and assistive technology as well as PhD in Rehabilitation Psychology with a focus in counselor education. Practical experience has all centered around clients with major mental illness. Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. CORE faculty at a CACREP accredited University in the South. Research focuses are intersectional, specifically technology, gaming, accessibility, intersect with disability issues to create new and exciting opportunities.
A central theme to my research has been the examination of how people with disabilities develop relationships over the span of their lifetime. This research has led to research examining the mechanisms for the development of relationships over the lifespan. This led to further examination of romantic relationship development for people with disabilities.
Another theme of my reserach examines graduate level education of future Rehabilitation Counselors and the importance of addressing gaps in education that are due to attitudes or cultural differences. The research projects so far have addressed barriers to effective service delivery of Rehabilitation Counseling students. Research has highlighted barriers because to stigma related to severe and persistent mental illness as well as barriers related to training linguistically diverse students.
My final area of research focuses on how people with disabilities engage with technology in various ways. Specifically, how to remove barriers for participating in online communities, and how certain technologies can increase quality of life and decrease social isolation.
I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Thursday, November 10, 2022
1:30 PM – 2:45 PM
