Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 49, issue 1

Authors: Dean, Evan E. | Shogren, Karrie A. | Hagiwara, Mayumi | Wehmeyer, Michael L.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Employment is an important aspect of participation for adults with intellectual disability. In the general population, working adults experience better health (mental health and quality of life) outcomes than adults who do not work. However, we know little about the health effects of employment on people with intellectual disability. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to review current literature to understand what is known about the health and quality of life outcomes of employment for adults with intellectual disability. METHODS: Researchers searched the intellectual disability literature for articles investigating the relationship between employment and …either health or quality of life. A total of 429 articles were found and systematically evaluated. Fourteen articles were included in the study. RESULTS: There is a very limited amount of research that has focused on health outcomes of employment for adults with intellectual disability. Findings generally point to a positive relationship between employment and quality of life, and employment and mental health, which is in line with results from studies in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: A tenuous relationship exists between employment, health, and quality of life. More research is needed to determine the extent of the relationship. Show more

Keywords: Employment, health, quality of life, intellectual disability, participation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180950

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2018

Authors: Lockett, Helen | Waghorn, Geoffrey | Kydd, Rob

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vocational rehabilitation for people with severe mental illnesses has reached a critical stage in its development of evidence-based practices. A recent meta-analysis has suggested that good program quality measured by fidelity scales is necessary but not sufficient to achieve good employment outcomes. It is likely therefore that there are other aspects of program implementation quality that are not addressed by the current scales. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify new dimensions of program quality potentially applicable to improving the effectiveness of evidence-based vocational rehabilitation. METHODS: A review and synthesis of the theoretical …and empirical literature in the broader science of psycho-social program implementation was conducted to identify the core dimensions which could be applied to evidence-based vocational rehabilitation. RESULTS: Twenty reviews and four single studies identified the common dimensions of a generic implementation framework. Empirical findings from eight of these, and 19 additional papers built a conceptual framework for improving evidence-based practices in vocational rehabilitation. The resulting framework consists of nine dimensions of implementation quality and twenty-three contextual factors. CONCLUSIONS: This conceptual framework will assist program funders, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to consider a wider range of program influences to advance the science and practice of vocational rehabilitation for people with severe mental illness. Show more

Keywords: Severe mental illness, conceptual framework, evidence-based practices, vocational rehabilitation, fidelity

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180951

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 15-31, 2018

Authors: Riesen, Tim | Morgan, Robert L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) modified the definition of supported employment to include customized employment. Because customized employment emphasizes meeting the business needs of employers, it seems critical that the employment specialist understand how to effectively engage employers during the customized employment process. OBJECTIVE: Because there is limited research on employer perspectives regarding hiring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities using the customized employment process, this study sought to identify the perceptions of employers about barriers and facilitators to the customized employment process. METHODS: A standardized open-ended focus group interview method …(Patton, 1990) using semi-structured “stem questions” was used to learn about employer perceptions of customized employment. RESULTS: Ten employers representing a variety of small to large businesses participated in the focus groups. Five major themes emerged related to employer perceptions of customized employment including: business need, networking, communication, training, and financial. CONCLUSION: To improve the customized employment process, employment specialists must be trained to effectively engage with employers during discovery and negotiation. Employment specialists need targeted training on making the business case for customizing a job for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Show more

Keywords: Customized employment, employer views, business need, focus group

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180952

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 33-44, 2018

Authors: Povenmire-Kirk, Tiana C. | Test, David W. | Flowers, Claudia P. | Diegelmann, Karen M. | Bunch-Crump, Kimberly | Kemp-Inman, Amy | Goodnight, Crystalyn I.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Best practices in transition planning include interagency collaboration during the planning process. While IDEA 2004 requires interagency collaboration in the IEP process, getting all the right people to the table can be difficult. OBJECTIVE: To investigate stakeholder perceptions of interagency collaboration resulting from Communicating Interagency Relationships and Collaborative Linkages for Exceptional Students (CIRCLES). METHODS: Using qualitative and quantitative methodologies, we explored stakeholders’ interagency collaboration experiences with CIRCLES. RESULTS: Data indicated high levels of interagency collaboration and satisfaction from students, parents, teachers, and agency personnel. CONCLUSIONS: CIRCLES may help transition personnel overcome …many of the barriers to successful interagency collaboration. Show more

Keywords: Transition, transition planning, youth with disabilities, interagency collaboration

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180953

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 45-57, 2018

Authors: Huber, Mary J. | Walker, Quiteya D. | Dunlap, Paige N. | Russell, Valerie E. | Richardson, Taryn V.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: In recognition of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association’s (ARCA) 60th anniversary and the need to gather and provide data to further inform the Rehabilitation Counseling (RC) field with recent developments, a replication of the Peterson, Hautamaki, and Hershenson (2006) study that included surveying ARCA members at the time as well as similar studies in the field (Trotter & Kozochowicz, 1970) was completed. METHODS: Similar questions related to overall membership benefits, motivations, concerns and future directions for the field were duplicated. In addition, given the recent major changes in the field including the merger between the Council for …Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and the new Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor degree were included. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to the 50th Anniversary survey, the results of the study informed the ARCA leadership in their future strategic planning activities, organizational development and in better meeting the needs of ARCA members. Show more

Keywords: Rehabilitation counseling, ARCA, American Rehabilitation Counseling Associations, membership

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180954

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 59-66, 2018

Authors: Coleman, Devon M. | Adams, James B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Many adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are unemployed or underemployed. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to evaluate vocational status of adults with ASD, determine barriers to employment, evaluate current government vocational services, and determine possible methods to improve employment of adults with ASD. METHODS: An original online vocational survey was completed by 172 participants across Arizona. RESULTS: Some participants were employed without supports (28%) or with supports (9%), in center-based (4%) or group-based (5%) employment, and 16% were in school. A high percentage were unemployed (40%), with some looking for work (27%) …and some not (13%). The major barriers to employment were being unable to get past interviews (59%), not knowing what jobs to apply for (39%), not knowing what they wanted to do (22%), having difficulty keeping a job (22%), and transportation (28%). Vocational Rehabilitation services received reasonable ratings of client satisfaction, but only 20% of VR clients reported that VR services helped (9%) or somewhat helped (11%) of them find a job. CONCLUSIONS: Underemployment and unemployment are major problems for adults with ASD, and multiple barriers to their employment are identified. Based on the survey, recommendations are provided on how to help adults with ASD find and maintain employment. Show more

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorders, vocational services, employment, adults, internet survey

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180955

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 67-78, 2018

Authors: Di Rezze, Briano | Viveiros, Helena | Pop, Ruxandra | Rampton, Glenn

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Adults with neurodevelopmental disability (NDD) have poor employment outcomes when compared to their peers without disabilities. Examining employment outcomes beyond common dichotomous descriptive metrics (i.e., employed versus unemployed) depends on the use of standard measures and structured procedures. OBJECTIVE: This review of vocational research literature focused on identifying measures of employment outcomes for adults with NDD. METHODS: Searches were conducted across five databases - ERIC, MEDLINE, CINAHL, HaPI, and PsycINFO. Screening was conducted in duplicate, with all disagreements adjudicated by the senior researcher. RESULTS: A total of 45 articles met inclusion criteria, and …data extraction revealed that 64 different employment measures were used in these vocational research studies. CONCLUSIONS: This work summarizes the employment measures for people with NDD utilized in the literature. Descriptions of these measures were provided and coding by person and environment themes, which is a useful resource for planning future vocational research for people with NDD. Show more

Keywords: Adults, neurodevelopmental disabilities, employment, outcome measures, review

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180956

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 79-96, 2018

Authors: Al-Rashaida, Mohammad | López-Paz, Juan Francisco | Amayra, Imanol | Lázaro, Esther | Martínez, Oscar | Berrocoso, Sarah | García, Maitane | Pérez, Manuel

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs have previously been evaluated using classical measures (such as the percentage of successful disabled consumers who are served by an agency). However, recent evaluations of VR programs have emphasized the need to examine levels of consumer satisfaction with such programs, as it is important to indicate what factors affect the satisfaction of people with disabilities (PWDs). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of existing studies on factors impacting PWD satisfaction with VR programs. METHODS: We conducted a search of the electronic databases PsycINFO, Web of …Science, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost (period: 1972–2016) supplemented by a search for additional relevant articles by means of cross-referencing. In total, 50 studies were selected, coded, and analyzed by three coders into three overarching themes. RESULTS: The analysis of extant studies shows that PWD satisfaction level with VR programs is affected by three main variables: counselor characteristics, VR services, and center features. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction is a key way of practically evaluating VR services; it contributes to improving the effectiveness and quality of such programs and enhances the effectiveness of work methods used by VR centers, particularly in relation to PWDs. The implications for VR practice and suggestions for future research are provided. Show more

Keywords: People with disabilities, satisfaction, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180957

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 97-115, 2018

Authors: Crudden, Adele | Giesen, J. Martin | Sui, Zhen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Approximately one-third of the working age population of persons with visual disabilities is employed. Recent federal legislation stressed the importance of VR services to assist employed persons with disabilities retain or advance in employment, but we know little about employed VR applicants. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to identify and contrast characteristics and services received by VR consumers with visual disabilities based on employment status at application. METHODS: VR cases from fiscal year 2015 were analyzed using logistic regression. The sample included 4,586 competitively employed applicants and 9,643 unemployed applicants. RESULTS: Competitively employed applicants …tended to be White non-Hispanic, older, more educated, and less likely to have non-cognitive disabilities. Competitively employed applicants tended to receive on-the-job supports, rehabilitation technology, counseling and guidance, technical assistance, and diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Competitively employed applicants with visual disabilities have different characteristics and service patterns from unemployed applicants. VR counselors can anticipate applicants’ service delivery needs based on their employment status while considering individual goals and circumstances. Future research regarding job retention for competitively employed applicants who are blind or have low vision appears warranted. Show more

Keywords: Blind, visually impaired, low vision, competitive employment, vocational rehabilitation, retention, career advancement

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180958

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 117-126, 2018

Authors: Friedman, Carli | Nye-Lengerman, Kelly

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Day and employment services provided by state intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) agencies, with funding from Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), have shown little growth in the employment rate of people with IDD. In attempt to prepare individuals with IDD for employment, prevocational services may be provided. The goal of prevocational is to develop or improve the job and non-job skills, develop work tolerance, and increase preparedness to have a job in a community based and/or competitive setting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine how prevocational services were allocated in HCBS 1915(c) …waivers for people with IDD across the United States in fiscal year (FY) 2014. METHODS: 111 HCBS IDD waivers were examined to determine if and how they provided prevocational services. Prevocational services were then compared to determine projected expenditures and service utilization. RESULTS: In FY 2014, approximately $750 million of funding was projected for prevocational services of approximately 87,500 participants; projected allocation varied widely by state and service. CONCLUSIONS: Without a clear pathway to competitive integrated employment, the very notion of prevocational services does not necessarily fit well within shifting policy paradigms that prioritize inclusion, competitive wages, and funding for integrated employment. Show more

Keywords: Prevocational services, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) 1915(c) waivers; community living

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180959

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 127-138, 2018