Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 28, issue 2

Authors: Rothman, Terri | Maldonado, José M. | Rothman, Harvey

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a pre-college transition program for students with disabilities in upstate New York. Survey data indicated that participants who had attended between 1999 and 2006 were either currently enrolled in college or working full time. Participants valued information about self-advocacy and understanding their rights protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) legislation, aspects also perceived as important for career success. Participants also valued the following: …gaining a better understanding of their own disabilities and learning about others' disabilities. The greatest aspects of the program included the formation of new relationships and understanding the reality of college life. Implications for high school and college counselors are discussed. Show more

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 73-83, 2008

Authors: Condon, Ellen | Callahan, Michael

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Nationally, less than 8% of students with a disability exit school with a job, enrollment in post-secondary education, involvement in community recreation and leisure activities, or independent living arrangements [8]. Those students most likely to leave school without skills and supports necessary to work in the community are those with the most significant disabilities. The Individualized Career Planning Model provides a transition planning template for these students. The process includes conducting Discovery, …writing a Vocational Profile, facilitating a Customized Employment Planning Meeting, and creating a Representational Portfolio. Using the model, students obtain Customized Employment/self-employment, are linked to collaboratively funded supports, and are assisted to access Social Security work incentives such as Plans for Achieving Self Support. Show more

Keywords: Individualized Career Planning Model, transition, youth, significant disabilities, customized employment, Discovery, Vocational Profile, Customized Employment Planning Meeting, Representational Portfolio, Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 85-96, 2008

Authors: Martz, Erin | Xu, Yonghong Jade

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This exploratory study investigated the best predictors of employment among 13,751 individuals with disabilities who have exited from a state-federal VR services program in a US state in the south. Logistic regression analyses, which were conducted separately for nine categories of disabilities, indicated that only models of three disability categories (visual, hearing, and "other" disabilities) were significantly different from the corresponding constant-only models and improved the prediction accuracy of employment outcome over …the null model. The findings suggested that males were more likely to be employed than females among individuals with visual and "other" disabilities; and ethnic minorities were more likely to be employed than those who were part of the majority ethnicity (Caucasian) among individuals with hearing and "other" disability types. Further, services directly targeting employment-related variables (training for and obtaining a job) and having a positive, forward-oriented perspective during the vocational rehabilitation process were significantly more likely to increase the likelihood of employment after the rehabilitation process among individuals with certain types of disabilities. Show more

Keywords: Employment, disability, vocational rehabilitation, future time perspective

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 97-104, 2008

Authors: Salyers, Michelle P. | McGuire, Alan B. | Bond, Gary R. | Hardin, Teresa | Rollins, Angela | Harding, Brian | Haines, Michael

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The current study examined success in two vocational programs by interviewing practitioners in two philosophically different employment programs at a psychosocial rehabilitation agency. Practitioners' views of what constitutes success and factors facilitating success were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative means. In general, practitioners viewed success as more than just obtaining a job, but maintaining employment over time and making life changes. Success was most often attributed to consumer motivation, and lack …of success was attributed to mental health symptoms. Furthermore, practitioners from each program tended to view success in a manner consistent with their program's philosophy. Show more

Keywords: Mental illness, employment, success, supported employment

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 105-114, 2008

Authors: Fraser, Robert T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article is an abstract of a best practices presentation made November 7, 2007 to national Veteran's Administrative personnel in Atlanta, Georgia. It initially reviews the relatively minimal research related to effective vocational rehabilitation placement strategies with the business community. The larger portion of this work deals with external and internal vocational rehabilitation (VR) program strategies for effectively engaging the business community adapted from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Project with Industry …(PWI) program. External strategies include securing the support of veteran's groups and service groups such as Rotary, and staff memberships in employment-related organizations such as Chambers of Commerce, Human Resource (HR) organizations, HR diversity subcommittees, etc. Internal strategies include include developing an employer board, using a business advisory committee composed of HR representatives, developing a job fair cycle at your site, and involving employer/business volunteers in roles critical to your vocational program's success. The approach basically involves such frequent and substantive interaction between business and one's VR program that vocational placement activity becomes an almost seamless transaction between the vocational rehabilitation unit and the business community. Show more

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 115-120, 2008

Authors: Sandsjö, Leif | Valtonen, Kirsi | Grundell, Lena Olsson | Karlsson, Ann-Katrin | Viikari-Juntura, Eira

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to identify work situations of concern, implement changes, and evaluate how these changes affect working conditions in a group of employees with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and meningomyelocele (MMC). Six persons with traumatic SCI and one with MMC were visited by an ergonomist at their workplace and assessed regarding accessibility and physical workload factors, especially risk factors for neck/shoulder disorders. The working conditions were documented by means …of video, questionnaires, and the ergonomist's own observations. From situations identified, including the participant's own reporting of problematic situations, possible changes were discussed and implemented if feasible. All participants were offered to take part in a myofeedback intervention, aiming at reducing muscle load of the neck and shoulder muscles. A remodelling of the workplace to get better access to items and tools was carried out in five out of seven cases. After these changes, the number of identified situations of concern was reduced. The relative rest time (RRT) improved in the neck and shoulder after the intervention in the four participants that completed the myofeedback training. This study demonstrates that the working conditions of persons with spinal cord lesion (SCL) can be improved by an ergonomic intervention. Show more

Keywords: Spinal cord injury, meningomyelocele, rehabilitation, employment, musculoskeletal disorders, intervention

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 121-128, 2008

Authors: Inge, Katherine J. | Targett, Pam

Article Type: Other

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 129-132, 2008