Affiliations: School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross
University, Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Michelle Donelly, School of Health
and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Locked Mail Bag 4, Coolangatta,
QLD 4225, Australia. Tel.: +61 7 5589 3000; E-mail: michelle.donelly@scu.edu.au
Abstract: It is unclear whether or not open (competitive) employment programs
are meeting the needs of the growing numbers of people with a disability
seeking professional employment. Objective: To understand and describe
the experience of a newly graduated professional (Michael) who was seeking open
employment support and to analyze those experiences in relation to principles
of effective open employment support. Participant: Michael a recently
graduated accountant who also has a physical disability. Methods: A review of the literature was undertaken to identify recommended principles and
practices for the conduct of effective open employment and career development
programs. A case study was used to describe Michael's experiences as he sought
professional employment. Michael's experiences were analysed in relation to
recommended principles and practice. Results: The analysis confirmed that
the concerns Michael experienced about the supported employment program
compromised the effectiveness of the support he received. Conclusions: Employment services based on models of independent living, disability service
standards and remediation are likely to focus on the 'pathology' or performance
'deficits' of the person with a disability. Successful open employment models
are more likely to place pre-eminence on the perspective of the person with a
disability and effective practices for securing employment.
Keywords: Professional employment, employment services, open employment
