Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 41, issue 1

Authors: Wehman, Paul

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140692

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 1-1, 2014

Authors: Suibhne, Orla Nic | Finnerty, Karen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Ireland was pioneering in 1988 with the early demonstration of the Supported Employment model through the EU funded ‘OPEN-ROAD’ project; this three-year innovative project introduced adults with moderate and severe levels of intellectual disability in Dublin to ordinary jobs. Now in 2013, this innovativeness continues as the sixth year of the Irish Association of Supported Employment Job Shadow Initiative successfully concluded in April 2013 engendering 19 secured jobs and 446 job shadows. The Irish National Job Shadow Initiative is designed to give people with disabilities a unique opportunity to get a close up look at the world of work …for one day or one week in April each year, enabling them to discover and learn about the skills and education required to compete and succeed in the work place. An implementation framework is outlined to guide organisations on how to establish their own successful Job Shadow Initiatives. The first European wide Job Shadow will take place on April 22nd 2015. This is a EUSE partnership project led by Irish Association of Supported Employment. RESULTS: The Job Shadow Initiative commenced in Ireland in 2008 with 238 employers involved; this year there were 429 employers involved. There have been 2165 job shadows since 2008, and overall, 78 jobs have been secured. CONCLUSIONS: The Job Shadow Initiative works; it is a particularly apposite tool that can be used as part of the Best Practice Supported Employment arena. It brings extensive benefits for job seekers, potential employers, Supported Employment services/Job Coaches, the general public and the families of people with disabilities. It also can be used as a tool to action national social inclusion policy. Show more

Keywords: Supported employment, job shadow initiative, best practice supported employment, inclusion

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140693

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 3-11, 2014

Authors: Lynas, Lydia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Project ABLE (Autism: Building Links to Employment) is an employment service established in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for young people and adults aged 16+ with an Autism Spectrum Condition. The Project adopts an individualised approach to meet the employment aspirations of this group using the Supported Employment model of intervention. The Project works with participants across the autism spectrum including high functioning individuals as well as those with severe learning disability and complex needs. OBJECTIVE: To prepare participants for employment by developing or improving their employability skills using a customised approach. METHODS: An action research approach was adopted to explore …if the Supported Employment model could be used to meet the employment requirements of this group. The project was marketed to colleagues from the statutory sector and referrals were made from the Departments of Education, Health and Employment. RESULTS: During the first four years of the programme seventy two individuals took part in the project and 56% of the adult group achieved full time and part time employment in a variety of sectors. All participants experienced a least one work experience opportunity and 66% attended more than one. During the project over one hundred work placements were organised with employers throughout Belfast encompassing all vocational areas. The overall impact on participant's lives has been positive, as well as developing employability skills many have reported an improvement in communication, social skills and over all independence. CONCLUSIONS: The Supported Employment Model can be used effectively to assist people with ASC prepare for and enter employment. Show more

Keywords: Supported employment model, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, Project ABLE

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140694

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 13-21, 2014

Authors: Schafft, Angelika

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Poor job retention among people with mental health conditions has been an issue of concern in general, as well as within Supported Employment. Traditionally the attention has been directed mainly towards the individual employee, rather than the working place as a whole. OBJECTIVE: The pilot project ‘Employer guides’ was launched by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare administration in 2009. Employer guides are professionals who assist employers/managers in order to improve their ability to retain and hire employees with mental health issues and/or problems related to substance abuse. The aim of the project has been to generate and disseminate new …knowledge about feasible and successful support strategies that increase work retention as well as labour market inclusion of people with mental health issues. METHODS: The Work Research Institute (WRI) in Oslo conducted a comprehensive formative evaluation of the pilot project from 2009 to 2012. RESULTS: Employer guides' interventions contributed to improve employers' ability to deal with employees who are struggling with mental health conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The pilot project has developed new – more comprehensive – tasks within ‘On the job support’. There is still a lack of knowledge about what support is necessary and feasible so that the work inclusion of people with mental health conditions is perceived as risk-free from the outset. Show more

Keywords: Employer guides, mental health, job opportunities, job retention, job support

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140695

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 23-27, 2014

Authors: Taskila, Tyna | Steadman, Karen | Gulliford, Jenny | Thomas, Rosemary | Elston, Robert | Bevan, Stephen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Unemployment among people with schizophrenia remains high despite slight improvements in vocational rehabilitation services and attitudes towards people with mental health disorders over the years. Experts are in a good position to increase our understanding on why this group still experiences such significant barriers to employment. OBJECTIVE: Interviews explored experts' views on schizophrenia and employment; with a particular focus on individual, attitudinal and structural barriers, as well as available interventions and their outcomes. METHODS: The sample of 20 experts were recruited using theoretical sampling. The experts consisted of: employment specialists, healthcare professionals, activists from patient organisations, academics, caregivers and …employers. A thematic approach was used for analysis. RESULTS: Low expectations of healthcare professionals which were often manifested as minimal recognition of employment as an outcome for people with schizophrenia as well as a “benefits trap” were identified as the strongest barriers to employment. In addition, the IPS model was identified as the most effective to support people to work, but lack of funding to implement the model nationally and concerns of poor implementation were raised by the experts. CONCLUSIONS: More research is required to examine which adaptations are needed for vocational interventions in order to implement them successfully. Show more

Keywords: Schizophrenia, employment, outcome, vocational intervention, attitudes, healthcare professionals

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140696

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 29-44, 2014

Authors: O'Bryan, Anne | Daston, Maryellen M. | Riehle, Erin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Project SEARCH is an employer-led approach to training young people with learning (intellectual) disabilities for employment in substantial paid careers. It is a one-year school-to-work transition program that is designed for students whose goal is competitive employment. The program takes place in a business setting. Students are totally immersed in the workplace, which facilitates the teaching and learning process through continuous feedback and acquisition of employability and competitive work skills. The Cincinnati-based Project SEARCH leadership team was invited by the English government to introduce the Project SEARCH model in the UK and to provide technical assistance for program start-up. The …first program sites resulting from this initiative were hosted by Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, with their partner Serco, with their first students graduating in 2009. Expansion of the program has continued beyond the initial introduction so that there are now twenty-four programs in the United Kingdom and one in the Republic of Ireland. This manuscript describes the challenges, successes, and lessons learned in the process of adapting this program, which was developed in the U.S., to the European disability resource system. Show more

Keywords: Project SEARCH, intellectual disabilities, workplace training, employment, school-to-work, transition

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140697

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 45-51, 2014

Authors: Vera, Sandra Olave

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In Chile, the legal system establishes equal opportunities and social inclusion for individuals with disabilities. Even with that support, traditional approach to increase job opportunities for people with disabilities, it was not successful so far, because the focus was to keep them in schools and institutions, which are not open to the work environment ending up in a situation with a tremendous lack of integration to real jobs, and therefore to society. In the year 2004, Arando Esperanza Foundation put in place a program which, has been quite successful measured on two key indicators: • Percentage of people …on the job after a year • Ratio money spent for each individual ending in a job position Main characteristics of the model applied are: • There is a selection process for every position • Family participates during the whole process • Training is done by technicians in every subject, therefore is a team which prepare each person • Training is done before starting the job, not on the job • Workmates are considered natural supports and are prepared before a person starts on the job • One of the workmates is trained as mentor. He works right beside the person. • Follow up is done by a psychologist specialized in work environments. Show more

Keywords: Supported employment, Chile, social inclusion

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140698

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 53-57, 2014

Authors: Nilsson, Emma | Lodestad, Stefan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In a project during the spring of 2012, an alternative communication method was evaluated. Employment specialists at Misa AB replaced some of their face-to-face meetings with clients having neuropsychiatric disorders, with scheduled written chat meetings over the web. The project was referred to as web coaching, and the aim was to determine the usefulness of this form of meeting. The main reason behind this project was an identified need of alternative communication forms between employment specialists and clients. The results showed that web coaching was perceived as a good complement to physical meetings. However, in most cases it was not …possible to use web coaching as the only way of communication. Clients and employment specialists both experienced web coaching as useful when communicating practical information. Although both parts identified the risk of losing the possibility to read mood and reactions while using web coaching, it was considered a good way for the client to save time, energy and money. Show more

Keywords: Web coaching, neuropsychiatric disorders, communication, new technology, supported employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140699

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 59-66, 2014

Authors: O'Halloran, Mary

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In 2010, 14.7 per cent of the general population of Ireland was jobless and 37 per cent of people with disabilities aged 15–64 were employed with a quarter of these were in part-time jobs. High unemployment increased barriers to employment for people with disabilities with a 48 per cent increase in the numbers applying for jobs. Highly qualified unemployed were taking on low to medium skilled jobs and accessing Government employment schemes and training programmes. It was difficult to access employers who were positive towards people with disabilities. A STEP Supported Employment project analysed barriers to mainstream employment. When faced …with many barriers it was decided to create a project to access employers directly and seek a partner who had access to a large number of employers. In April of 2010 IrishJobs.ie was approached by Mary O Halloran from STEP SE. Mary had brought together a number of similar agencies and asked IrishJobs.ie if they would be interested in building a resource to encourage and support employers to hire people with disabilities. IrishJobs.ie is a leading national e-recruitment company. Irishjobs.ie was approached as e-recruitment methods were mostly complex to navigate and 80% of vacancies are advertised online. The hope was by making the information more visible and more accessible employers who are interested in finding out more about hiring people with disabilities will get the guidance they require. Of course, it may also be that employers who had not thought about hiring people with a disability will consider it once they find out more via the Guide. A team was put together from other disability organisations & irishjobs.ie to identify the obstacles for people with disabilities to e-recruitment and a guide was developed to demonstrate the benefits of employing people with disabilities. IrishJobs.ie was very enthusiastic about this project. Since this IrishJobs.ie has provided backing for the National Job Shadow events with the IASE. All content on the Guide has come from Supported Employment Agencies. The expertise of IrishJobs.ie came in the design and presentation of the content. Before the Guide was launched it was reviewed and approved by a number of agencies involved STEP Supported Employment a service of Saint John of God Community Services Ltd, worked alongside IrishJobs.ie, other IASE members and Service Users to develop this user-friendly Guide. Show more

Keywords: Access employers, barriers to employment, e-recruitment methods, reasonable accommodations, job descriptions, resources

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140700

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 67-70, 2014

Authors: Gladh, Lena | Sjölund, Anna

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: To access and maintain paid employment is of importance for all people in our society. Today a large number of people are more or less excluded from the open labour market. One of these disadvantaged groups is people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This paper presents the project KVAS – Assessment and Validation Asperger Syndrome, that took place in the municipality of Botkyrka in Sweden during the years 2007–2010. The Empowerment network in the Autism and Asperger Association in Sweden initiated the project aiming to develop ways to visualize the abilities of individuals with Asperger Syndrome to increase their chances …to permanent paid employment. The outcome of the project The Validation Process is introduced together with the Barometer and My Profile, self-assessment tools that were developed in the project to assist people with ASD in assessing their own resources and support needs to increase self-advocacy. The Validation Process consists of 4 modules that concern work in different ways. The model was originally developed for group sessions in combination with individual work, but can also be used individually. It can be used in the Supported Employment process for work preparation, vocational profiling or as job support. Show more

Keywords: Adults with autism, ASD, vocational rehabilitation, empowerment, supported self-advocacy, self-assessment, employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140701

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 71-76, 2014