Affiliations: Faculty of Health Science, School of Occupational
Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, 1201Western Rd., Elborn College,
London, Ontario, Canada N6G 1H1. Tel.: +1 519 661 2111; Fax: +1 519 661 3894;
E-mail: leshaw@uwo.ca | Faculty of Health Science, School of Nursing, The
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 1H1
Note: [] Corresponding author
Abstract: Rehabilitation models of practice have emerged that offer persons'
with disabilities opportunities to have an active role in the work entry or
re(entry) process. Despite the growth and interest in empowering client
involvement in practice, consumer views on the determinants of participation
are not fully understood. Thus, consumer feedback on using a self-directed
approach to employment rehabilitation was elicited to identify factors integral
to their participation in the process. Focus groups were conducted with 35
adult consumers with developmental, mental health, physical and learning
disabilities to gain insights into their involvement in a participatory
approach to find employment. Content analysis of data revealed barriers and
facilitators, which hindered or enabled consumer involvement in the vocational
service process. This article discusses the importance of considering issues
across the rehabilitation system, practice and lived contexts when implementing
participatory approaches in vocational rehabilitation settings.
Keywords: consumer participation, consumer choice and control, vocational rehabilitation
