Assessment of vocational opportunities and continuing job
placement for persons with mental disabilities: Factors indicating levels of
necessary support
Affiliations: Tokyo Metropolitan Rehabilitation Center for the
Physically and Mentally Disabled, Graduate School of the Tokyo Metropolitan
University of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan | Graduate School of the Tokyo Metropolitan University
of Health Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Yoshiko Suzuki, M.A., Tokyo
Metropolitan Rehabilitation Center for the Physically and Mentally Disabled,
3-17-2, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0052, Japan. Tel.: +81 03 3203 6141,
Ext. 2623; Fax: +81 03 3203 9742; E-mail: cksmith@gol.com
Abstract: We determined primary factors in allocating support for vocational
opportunities and continuing job placement for clients with mental
disabilities. The study analyzed 29 items regarding work attitudes and
vocational skills for 70 clients as assessed by the Tokyo Metropolitan
Rehabilitation Center for the Physically and Mentally Disabled. The evaluations
were performed using the situational assessment approach with a 3-point support
scale system assigned through observation of behavior. The results of these
evaluations placed 35 clients in employment groups (A and B) and 35 clients in
a sheltered workshop group (C). The data was analyzed by multivariate analysis.
Predictions of success and functional differences among the groups were
indicated by the data. Differences were found among the three groups in work
attitudes and skills such as "self-direction" and "directions for social
participation". Out of the 35 clients currently employed, 11 were recognized
as needing ongoing assistance from supported employment offices. For the
supported employment group (B), the major work attitudes and skills for which
they required continuous services for maintaining stable jobs were 'emotional
stability' and 'learning of working skills and accomplishment of work.' In a
previous study, the major differences between the competitive employment group
(A) and the sheltered workshop group (C) were in areas of 'responsibilities,'
'goals for life,' 'motivation for the work and understanding of contents for
work,' and 'safety during work.' Our study supports these findings. In
addition, transition from the sheltered workshop to supported employment
required training to improve skills and support for 'responsibilities,' 'goals
for life,' 'participation in leisure activities and community-based
activities,' and 'preparation and cleaning for work.'
