Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 24, issue 1

Article Type: Other

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 1-2, 2006

Authors: Siperstein, Gary N. | Romano, Neil | Mohler, Amanda | Parker, Robin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Employers' negative attitudes and fears have long been a barrier to the employment of individuals with disabilities. Accordingly, attitude literature on the employment of people with disabilities has focused almost exclusively on employers. However, due to their influence over business practices, the successful employment of people with disabilities is also contingent on the views of the consumer. This study extends previous studies that focused on the attitudes of employers, and went directly to the consumer. …Consumer attitudes toward companies that hire individuals with disabilities were assessed through a national public survey (N=803). Most of the participants (75%) had direct experience with people with disabilities in a work environment. Moreover, these experiences were positive. All participants responded positively towards companies that are socially responsible, including 92% of consumers who felt more favorable toward those that hire individuals with disabilities. The participants also had strong positive beliefs about the value and benefits of hiring people with disabilities, with 87% specifically agreeing that they would prefer to give their business to companies that hire individuals with disabilities. Implications of consumer support on company hiring practices are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Employment of people with disabilities, consumer attitudes, business and disability

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 3-9, 2006

Authors: Randall, Christine | Buys, Nicholas

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: People with schizophrenia face significant disadvantage in the labour market leading to high levels of unemployment. In response to this situation more employer-focused approaches to job placement have been proposed, including entrepreneurial job development. This case study examined the entrepreneurial job development approach in establishing an employment relationship between a person with schizophrenia and an employer. Data were collected from the employer and the employee using semi-structured audiotaped interviews, logbooks and member …checks over a nine-month period. Five meta-themes were identified that included: (1) strong 'employer focus' during the job development process; (2) 'employee assets' that were brought to the employment relationship; (3) 'workplace relationships' and their impact on the success of the placement; (4) focus on the 'career development' needs of the employee; and (5) 'satisfaction' of both participants with the job development process and employment relationship. The entrepreneurial job development approach was found to be effective in assisting the jobseeker to develop a potentially long-term, employment relationship with the employer through the creation of a new position that met a 'business need'. Show more

Keywords: Entrepreneurial job development, vocational rehabilitation, schizophrenia, qualitative research

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 11-22, 2006

Authors: Holt, Judith M. | Chambless, Catherine E. | Christensen, Heather

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In the last few decades, systems change initiatives have strengthened and expanded the supports and services available to people with disabilities. However, these change efforts have not realized the intended goal of a fully inclusive society. To achieve this goal requires commitment to full participation and decision-making by persons with disabilities at the system level. Their participation should guide the design of services and supports that are responsive to consumers' actual needs, not those perceived by …professionals. Work Ability, a major systems change initiative in Utah, used a participatory action research (PAR) process to facilitate full participation of people with disabilities at the system level to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of multiple work incentive programs. An evaluation of the PAR process used by Work Ability indicated that people with disabilities positively perceived their ability to affect the process. Show more

Keywords: Participatory Action Research, Disability Policy Framework, work incentives for people with disabilities, systems change

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 23-31, 2006

Authors: Matt, Georg E. | Bellardita, Lara | Fischer, Gene | Silverman, Scott

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Psychological distress and resources were examined in an ethnically diverse sample of low-education, unemployed, and difficult-to-employ persons who participated in a three-week pre-employment training program (STRIVE). Compared to the general population, applicants to the program exhibited significantly higher levels of psychological distress. Men showed significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety, less self-esteem, and more dysfunctional attributions than women. Caucasian applicants showed higher levels of depression and anxiety and lower levels of …self-efficacy and self-esteem. The gender differences in depression and powerful other attributions were moderated by ethnicity. Graduates of the program showed the strongest improvements with respect to self-esteem (d=0.65) and self-efficacy. Self-efficacy increased more for Latino (d=0.79) and African-American (d=0.52) than Caucasian participants (d=0.34). Graduates showed significantly higher levels of internal attributions (d=0.42), lower levels of chance attributions (d=−0.16), and less depression (d=−0.38) than when they applied to the program. A subsample of graduates completed follow-ups between 2–8 months after graduation, showing persistent though smaller improvements compared to baseline. These findings suggest that pre-employment training programs can play a potentially important role in reducing psychological distress and strengthening psychological resources in difficult-to-employ and ethnically diverse populations trying to reenter the labor market. Limitations of this study and future direction for applied psychological research in the large and growing population of hard-to-employ persons are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Mental health, psychological resources, pre-employment training, STRIVE program

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 33-43, 2006

Authors: Wehman, Paul | Revell, W. Grant

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review and critique of the marketing strategies best suited to expanding participation in the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Ticket to Work Program by Ticket holders and to increasing the number and diversity of Employment Networks (ENs). Direct mail, web based outreach, targeted marketing to selected opinion makers, specialized media outlets, and a number of other marketing strategies are critiqued and analyzed as a way to reach …beneficiaries and ENs. The emphasis is on cost efficient strategies to maximize utilization of the Ticket. The two main marketing issues related to ENs are: 1) There are not enough quality ENs, and 2) the ENs in place are not taking Tickets and making a sufficient number of placements for the Ticket to Work Program to be successful. Marketing considerations for ENs must expand the base of existing ENs to include the business community. EN partnerships are needed among the rehabilitation and business community, as are marketing strategies that reach business and encourage partnerships. The main marketing issue for reaching beneficiaries of Social Security Disability benefits who are current or potential Ticket holders is recognizing that at its very core, marketing the Ticket to Work involves first marketing employment. Marketing considerations for beneficiaries must recognize and address the employment-related fears, interests and support needs of Ticket recipients. Show more

Keywords: Ticket to Work Program, Employment Networks (ENs), social security disability benefits, marketing employment supports, work incentives for disability beneficiaries

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 45-63, 2006