Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 21, issue 2

Authors: Smith, Kaye | Webber, Lynne | Graffam, Joe | Wilson, Carlene

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper is based on survey responses from 656 employers who had employed someone with a disability using support from disability employment agencies. Differences in employers' ratings of employees with and without a disability in relation to employer satisfaction and work performance are outlined. Employers were found to be less satisfied with their employee with a disability than with other employees; determinants of employer satisfaction differed between the two employee groups; and employers were predisposed to …be more satisfied with employees with a disability than with other employees in relation to the work performance variables tested. Identifying areas directly related to employer satisfaction, and highlighting important differences in factors that determine employer satisfaction between these two employee groups, provides valuable direction for effective strategic planning of service interventions. Show more

Keywords: employer satisfaction, employment, disability, work performance

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 61-69, 2004

Authors: Greig, Tamasine C. | Nicholls, Sarah S. | Bryson, Gary J. | Bell, Morris D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Vocational Cognitive Rating Scale (VCRS) is an instrument designed to measure cognitive impairment in the workplace. The VCRS is designed specifically for use with people with chronic mental illness. Test construction yielded 16 items that are rated after a workplace observation and brief interview with the supervisor. Inter-rater reliabilities of the individual items and total score were in the good to excellent range. Validity is supported by Cronbach's Alpha which indicates strong internal consistency. …Strong predictive validity was demonstrated by beginning VCRS scores predicting work hours and work performance at 6 months. Results derived from two independent samples suggest that The VCRS has the potential to become a valuable tool in the vocational rehabilitation of people with severe mental illness. Show more

Keywords: schizophrenia, vocational rehabilitation, cognitive impairment

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 71-81, 2004

Authors: Honeycutt, Todd C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Understanding the program, benefit, and income paths that persons access before they obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) could provide a crucial perspective in the ability to identify ways to reduce the inflow to the program. For this study, we used data from public surveys combined with information from the Social Security Administration to examine benefits and incomes used by DI beneficiaries. Program participation among DI beneficiaries before they obtained DI and the relative risk in …moving to DI from a particular benefit was analyzed. A large proportion of DI beneficiaries received workers' compensation benefits, employer disability benefits, retirement income, and food stamps before obtaining DI, or they lacked health insurance or were covered through Medicaid. Persons involved with employer disability benefits, personal disability insurance, government employee disability benefits, and, for men, Medicaid and public assistance, had the highest risks of obtaining DI. Targeting specific programs with projects and interventions involving employment and health care for individuals at-risk of obtaining DI could reduce the need to apply for DI benefits. Show more

Keywords: Social Security Disability Insurance, disability income, public assistance, health insurance

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 83-94, 2004

Authors: Pirttimaa, Raija | Saloviita, Timo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The development of supported employment internationally has been slow in terms of persons thus employed. Some studies have assumed that the reason for slow development resides in the conflict which is created when supported employment is embedded as an additional service option in the facility-based services. In this study, the existence of this conflict was examined by surveying the opinions of Finnish supported employment job coaches on the acceptability of supported employment values. The results confirmed …that the acceptability of some values of supported employment was indeed low among staff that was supposed to provide these services. An alternative form of service organisation is discussed as a means to overcome the value conflict and staff resistance produced by it. Show more

Keywords: supported employment, staff, values

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 95-101, 2004

Authors: Gervey, Robert | Gao, Ni | Rizzo, Dennis

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 mandated the establishment of a One-Stop System to integrate a fragmented Federal, State, and County employment and employment-related system. Despite the promise of the One-Stop system to provide efficient and effective services to all persons, the disability community is concerned that the employment and training needs of persons with severe disabilities will not be served well by the One-Stop System. A three-month study was conducted within the Gloucester County …One-Stop Center in New Jersey to determine the extent to which persons with disabilities access the One-Stop system. The results indicate that a relatively high percentage (21%) of One-Stop customers identify themselves as having a disability. Access within the One-Stop System therefore, does not appear to be a problem. However, persons with disabilities report significantly greater dissatisfaction with services and fare significantly worse in terms of employment and training outcomes compared to individuals without disabilities within the One-Stop system. Suggestions for improving services to persons with disabilities within the One-Stop system are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Workforce Investment Act (WIA), One-Stop Center, employment and training, workforce development services for persons with disabilities

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 103-115, 2004