Affiliations: Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resources and
Communication Disorders, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA | Center for Disability Studies, Kent State University,
Kent, OH, USA | Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling and
Special Education, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Lynn Koch, Department of Rehabilitation,
Human Resources, and Communication Disorders, 100 Graduate Education Building
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. E-mail:
lckoch@uark.edu
Abstract: Job retention is a major concern for individuals with chronic
illnesses, who represent a rapidly growing vocational rehabilitation (VR)
consumer population. The purpose of this article is to examine selected job
retention considerations for consumers with chronic illnesses. The authors (a)
describe distinguishing characteristics of chronic illnesses in terms of
populations affected and psychosocial implications, (b) discuss the vocational
implications of chronic illnesses, (c) provide general considerations for the
provision of job retention services, and (d) examine job retention strategies
aimed at improving employment outcomes for individuals with chronic
illnesses.
