Affiliations: Faculty of Health Science, School of Occupational
Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, Elborn College, London, Ontario,
Canada N6G 1H1 | Faculty of Health Science, School of Nursing, The
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 1H1
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Lynn Shaw, Faculty of Health
Science, School of Occupational Therapy, The University of Western Ontario,
1201Western Road, Elborn College, London, Ontario, Canada N6G 1H1. Tel.: +1 519
661 2111 ext 88971; Fax: 1 519 661 3894; E-mail: leshaw@uwo.ca
Abstract: More efforts to include consumers in the service process are
emerging within vocational rehabilitation. In response to this trend, service
providers have implemented a variety of innovative approaches, which offer
opportunities for persons with disabilities to assume a more active role in
goal setting, enacting choices, and self-directing employment plans. However,
rehabilitation professionals report that including consumers in partnership or
leadership roles is a challenging process. Thus, a better understanding of the
issues that hamper or enable consumer participation in vocational
rehabilitation practice is needed. Therefore, a qualitative investigation was
undertaken to examine service provider experiences in a consumer-driven program
where consumer participation was expected. Fourteen service providers shared
their views in focus groups on factors integral to consumer involvement. Data
from service providers suggest that determinants of consumer participation
coalesce around three basic components; consumer competencies for
self-management responsibilities, service provider strategies for empowering
others, and compatibility of resources at the system, agency and community
levels. Implications for enhancing greater involvement of consumers in the
vocational rehabilitation process are discussed.
