Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 18, issue 3

Article Type: Other

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 143-144, 2003

Authors: Rabren, Karen | Hall, George | Brown, Clarence

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between employment obtained through vocational rehabilitation services (VR) and a number of demographic and programmatic variables for 599 transition-age VR consumers in a southeastern state of the United States. The four demographic variables in this study were, (a) gender, (b) race, (c) disability and (d) county population. The five programmatic variables included (a) diploma exit status, (b) hours outside the general education classroom, (c) age at VR application date, (d) grade …at VR application date, and (e) grade difference at application date. Matching case data from a vocational rehabilitation data base and a special education post-school student data base were combined to determine the extent to which these demographic and programmatic variables impacted the rehabilitation outcome of employment for these consumers. Consistent with previous studies, gender was significantly related to this outcome, in that males were more likely to be rehabilitated to employment than females. A second variable, hours outside the general education classroom, also was found to be significant to the employment of these young adults. Race, however, was not found to be a significant predictor of employment for these transition-age VR consumers. Show more

Keywords: transition, employment, gender, rehabilitation

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 145-152, 2003

Authors: Martz, Erin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A random sample of 200 out 597 individuals with disabilities attending a community college were surveyed by mail. The Reactions to Impairment and Disability Inventory [20], the Internal-External Locus of Control [32], and a demographics page were administered, which included items on current employment and visibility of disability. A backward logistic regression was run to explore whether the psychological variables of locus of control, acknowledgment and adjustment to disability, and the demographic …variables of perceived visibility of disability, age, education, marital status, age at onset of disability, and work experience predicted individuals' employment status in this sample. The results indicated that invisibility of disability and work experience were the most-likely contributors in predicting individuals' current work-status. Though the variable of work experience was retained in the last step of the logistic regression, it had an insignificant Wald statistic. Several indicators suggested that the variable of work experience was acting as a suppressor variable. The findings that individuals with invisible disabilities were sixteen times more likely to be employed than individuals with visible disabilities were discussed in terms of stigma and visibility of disability. Implications of these findings for rehabilitation counselors were briefly suggested. Show more

Keywords: invisible disabilities, work experience, psychosocial reactions, employment and disability, community college students

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 153-161, 2003

Authors: Müller, Eve | Schuler, Adriana | Burton, Barbara A. | Yates, Gregory B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to seek consumer perspectives on strategies for improving vocational placement and job retention services for individuals with Asperger Syndrome and other autism spectrum disabilities (ASDs). For this purpose, 18 adults with ASDs were individually interviewed about their experiences within the workplace. Participants were asked to (a) describe positive and negative aspects of their vocational experiences, (b) identify major obstacles to successful employment, and (c) recommend …appropriate vocational supports to be provided by vocational rehabilitation counselors, employers and co-workers. Qualitative analyses of the interview transcripts revealed a number of common experiences and concerns which suggest the needs of individuals with ASDs should be recognized as different from others with more generalized developmental disabilities and/or mental retardation. Show more

Keywords: Asperger Syndrome, vocational supports, social supports, autism

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 163-175, 2003

Authors: Stodden, Robert A. | Stodden, Norma Jean | Kim-Rupnow, Weol Soon | Thai, Nghi D. | Galloway, L.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This review examines the impact of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) persons of disability status upon the work of researchers, rehabilitation service providers, and postsecondary education instructors and support personnel. The increasingly disproportionate distribution of CLD persons with disabilities, and the inequitable treatment CLD people experience in receiving services, continues to challenge the disability research field, vocational rehabilitation system, and postsecondary institutions. Disability researchers, practitioners, instructors, and support personnel have not …adequately understood the unique issues related to disability in CLD communities and, as a result, have failed in their relationship with CLD persons with disabilities. This review examines the barriers to this relationship which fall into three categories: (a) lack of cultural sensitivity and knowledge regarding CLD persons with disabilities; (b) failure to account for environmental determinants of disability, including natural, social, cultural, and built environments; and (c) inadequacy of current research methodology and approaches by service systems and postsecondary education as applied to CLD populations with disabilities. Recommendations to better relate to the needs of persons with disability in CLD communities are provided. Show more

Keywords: cultural competence, culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) persons with disabilities, literature review, postsecondary outcomes, researcher sensitivity

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 177-189, 2003

Authors: Fuller, William E. | Wehman, Paul

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In order to enter traditional 4 year college programs, most students with disabilities will need to perform on the standardized entrance exams such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The purpose of this paper is to describe ways to identify accommodations and prepare for these exams in order to attain scores which will maximize performance.

Keywords: accommodations, standardized tests, college entrance, postsecondary

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 191-197, 2003

Authors: Weiner, Jan S. | Zivolich, Steve

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Twelve years of the natural support training consultant model for three individuals with significant disabilities is briefly reported. A private country club committed their own employees as initial trainers and long-term supports in a variety of positions within their organization. A full range of placement and support services were provided by the corporation including: job development, on the job training, job site modification, job sharing, job matching, development of special aids, family communication, case management …and other work related support services. Although the program achieved significant qualitative success, the corporate partner was prepared to train and employ a larger number of employees with disabilities than were referred by the local developmental disability agency. The participants, compared to job coach supported consumers, experienced superior worker benefits for natural supports in the areas of job tenure, gross wages, and hours worked per week. Show more

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 199-202, 2003