Career adjustment via reasonable accommodations: the effects of an employee-empowerment intervention for people with disabilities

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Rumrill Jr., Phillip D.^; | Garnette, Michelle R.

Affiliations: Department of Educational Foundations and Special Services, Kent State University, 405P White Hall, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH, USA 44242-0001 | Department of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 330 6722294; fax: +1 330 6722512; e-mail: prumrill@emerald.educ.kent.edu

Abstract: The article describes an experimental approach to increasing consumer participation in the Americans with Disabilities Act's Title I accommodation request process. Specifically, participants (N = 36) completed a structured interview to identify their needs for on-the-job accommodations, received detailed information about Title I provisions, and completed a social competence training program to assist them in requesting accommodations from their employers. Results indicated that the intervention was effective in increasing knowledge of Title I provisions and behavioral activity related to requesting and implementing accommodations.

Keywords: Reasonable accommodations, Career adjustment, Self-advocacy

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-1997-9107

Journal: Work, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 57-64, 1997