Affiliations:
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Jessica M. Awsumb, 110 Magnolia Circle, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. Tel.: +1 615 343 3416; E-mail: Jessica.m.awsumb@vanderbilt.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Improving employment outcomes for youth with disabilities requires strong collaborations between educators and adult agencies. The advent of pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS) introduces a new context for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to come alongside schools in preparing youth with disabilities for the world of work. OBJECTIVE:This study examines how providers of pre-ETS view the career-related transition practices and employment prospects of youth with disabilities. METHODS:We examined the perspectives of 164 providers on pre-ETS and the employment needs of the students with disabilities whom they served. RESULTS:Although providers expressed confidence in their knowledge of pre-ETS, they still desired additional training in each of the five core areas. Likewise, they viewed their collaborations with the school as positive, but expressed the value of establishing more extensive collaboration. Overall, providers agreed that multiple barriers stand in the way of serving students with disabilities and that preparation for employment must be further strengthened. Some differences in views were found based on the community (rural versus non-rural) of providers. CONCLUSIONS:We offer recommendations for research, policy, and practice to aid providers in preparing students with disabilities for employment.
