Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 20, issue 1

Authors: Usiak, Douglas J. | Moffat, John | Wehmeyer, Michael L.

Article Type: Other

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 1-3, 2004

Authors: Usiak, Douglas J. | Tomita, Machiko R. | Tung, Jun-Yuan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Centers for independent living (CILs) that receive Title VII Part C federal funds must submit a Section 704 Annual Performance Report to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). In this paper, the most recent 704 Annual Performance Report data (2002) was analyzed, growth over the last five years was identified, and recommendations for future reporting methods were offered. In 2002, 354 federally funded CILs received $464 million, served 193,000 consumers and provided 1.35 million individual services. These …figures represent an increase of 3.6, 2.2, and 1.7 times more, respectively, than those reported for 1997. Recommendations are made to improve the 704 Annual Performance Report form to collect multi-dimensional data that may facilitate meaningful interpretation for planning. Show more

Keywords: Independent Living, 704 Performance Report, Centers for Independent Living, data collection

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 5-20, 2004

Authors: Tomita, Machiko R. | Moffat, Maureen | Usiak, Douglas J. | Moffat, John

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In order to create the first comprehensive National CIL Management Database of existing CIL programs, services, management structures and funding resources, data from 255 CILs was collected through mailed surveys. The total revenue of this industry was over $218.5 million, employing over 4,800 people and offering services and programs to more than 188,000 people with disabilities. A developmental pattern was identified which was similar to other organizations. Further studies were encouraged.

Keywords: centers for independent living, survey, programs, management, consumers

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 21-34, 2004

Authors: Usiak, Douglas J. | Stone, Vathsala I. | House, Ronald B. | Montgomery, Mark E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper presents the methods and findings of a Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Independent Living Management (RRTC-ILM) study which identifies the profile of an effective center for independent living (CIL) as seen by CIL stakeholders, with a focus on structural elements and expected outcomes. This study represents an initial phase of a larger RRTC-ILM project that seeks to identify CIL management practices with a view toward helping the centers identify training needs. Five hundred …and eighty-eight (588) stakeholders participated in the study representing CIL board members, executive directors, staff, volunteers, consumers and funders. Their responses, collected in focus groups and via telephone interviews, were subjected to qualitative content analysis. Findings include nine management categories into which stakeholder-perceived elements clustered. Consumer Involvement emerged as a category distinct to CILs and showed the importance of consumer control in the organization. Outcomes found to be important to stakeholders were congruent with the management categories that were important to them. Show more

Keywords: independent living, independent living center management, inclusion, stakeholder involvement, organizational structure

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 35-43, 2004

Authors: Stoddard, Susan | Premo, Brenda

Article Type: Research Article

Keywords: employment, independent living, vocational rehabilitation, collaboration

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 45-52, 2004

Authors: Wehmeyer, Michael L. | Gragoudas, Stelios

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A primary function of centers for independent living is to empower individuals with disabilities and to support greater independence. These functions overlap with the purpose of transition planning for youth with disabilities, and it is increasingly evident that CILs can play an important role in such transition services. This article discusses the potential role of CILs in transition services for youth with disabilities, particularly in promoting self-determination, and provides an example of a program that CILs …could replicate to achieve such outcomes. Show more

Keywords: centers for independent living, transition services, adolescents, self-determination, empowerment

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 53-58, 2004

Authors: Moffat, John | Tung, Jun-Yuan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objectives: Mandated to provide services to unserved and underserved minority populations, independent living centers are seeking strategies to increase their service proficiency and outreach effectiveness. This need is currently being addressed through a training and research collaboration combining a service intervention model called Culture Brokering and the examination and analysis of the effectiveness of Culture Brokering training on outreach to culturally diverse communities of people with disabilities. Study design: 50 participants attending Culture Brokering workshops …were given pre and post questionnaires to measure their knowledge gained and any change in their cultural competence resulting from application of that knowledge. The independent variable for the study was the culture brokering workshops. The dependent variables were the scores assessed by the pre – post knowledge questionnaire and competence questionnaire. Nonparametric tests were used to analyze the pre-test and post-test knowledge questionnaire scores. A paired t-test was applied to the competence questionnaire scores between pre-test and post-test. Results: Forty-one out of 49 participants (84%) increased their knowledge scores after the workshop. Workshop participants increased their cultural competence scores on 35 items of the 36 items (97%); 25 (69%) items were increased with statistical significance. Twenty-nine out of 41 participants (71%) increased their total scores after the workshop. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that culture brokering workshops had positive effects on participants' culture brokering knowledge and cultural competence. More research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Culture Brokering training on consumer satisfaction and community outreach to minority populations. Show more

Keywords: cultural competency, training, evaluation, unserved minorities, outreach

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 59-69, 2004

Authors: Nary, Dorothy E. | White, Glen W. | Budde, James F. | Vo, Hoang Yen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Objective: This study was conducted a) to examine the concerns of people with disabilities regarding their participation in independent living and in society and b) to explore whether people from "emerging" disability groups and those from "traditional" disability groups prioritize issues related to these concerns similarly. Study design: National survey using the "Concerns Report Method for Citizens with Disabilities" (CRM), an agenda-setting instrument, which involves people with disabilities in the research process. The CRM …was administered to a national sample of people with a variety of disabilities. Results: Survey items related to employment and vocational rehabilitation are typically rated as "problems" by the entire group of respondents as well as by respondents from specific disability groups. One employment-related item pertaining to adequate salary and benefits emerged as one of the top three issues selected by the entire group and by respondents in specific disability groups. Conclusion(s): Despite progress in many areas of disability policy and quality of life, people with a variety of disabilities remained concerned about employment and vocational rehabilitation issues. The chronically high national unemployment rate of people with disabilities highlights the need for increased attention to programs and policies to address this need. Show more

Keywords: independent living, people with disabilities, Concerns Report Method, participation, employment, vocational rehabilitation

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 71-77, 2004

Article Type: Other

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 79-79, 2004