Being black and disabled are characteristics which are frequently rejected by the larger society. When counselors and black disabled clients come together, they usually bring different life experiences because of physical abilities and race. There may be more similarities if both the client and counselor are disabled or both are of the same race.…

When students are culturally or racially different from their counselors, guidance and counseling services can be weakened: a counselor's limited cultural awareness will not produce effective interpersonal relationships. Empathic understanding and a good knowledge of a client generally will provide a springboard for good relationship development…