The Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education in Auburn University's College of Education was presented the 2006 Partnership Award for outstanding service to individuals with disabilities by the Alabama Rehabilitation Association's division of Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators. This honor is given annually to an organizational entity that exemplifies the spirit of cooperation in delivering services that benefit persons with disabilities and their significant others. The department was cited for a number of initiatives and activities by rehabilitation faculty during the past three years.

As part of award presentation, Dr. E. Davis Martin, professor of rehabilitation, was cited for his development and presentation of the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination Preparation Workshop for Alabama Rehabilitation Counselors. To gain this national certification is a mark of excellence for rehabilitation counselors and represents to consumers of vocational rehabilitation services competence and excellence in the delivery of services that facilitate entry or reentry into the labor market.

Martin and Dr. Rebecca Curtis, assistant professor of rehabilitation, were recognized for developing and implementing an ethics and rehabilitation training program. This educational program series was in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Achievement Center-Easter Seals of Opelika.

RSE was also recognized for including rehabilitation counselors in pre-conference workshops and concurrent sessions during its annual Transition in Alabama Conference, as well as making faculty available to speak at community and professional events.

Finally, Dr. Philip Browning, department head and Wayne T. Smith distinguished professor, was honored for his department's cooperative and collaborative efforts with the Alabama Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Association. 

The Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education (RSE) recruits, prepares and graduates qualified individuals who are committed to and competent in assisting individuals with disabilities advance their personal, educational, vocational, social and economic goals. Toward this end, RSE's 14 faculty members offer undergraduate and graduate programs targeting the study of persons from birth to pre-school age, school age and post-school age, with disability being the common denominator across program options. RSE offers an Early Intervention Academic Certificate program and a master of education in rehabilitation counseling via distance education.  RSE's Rehabilitation counseling was ranked 20th in the nation by US News & World Report.