Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 36, issue 2

Authors: Rosenthal, David A. | Hiatt, Emma K. | Anderson, Catherine A. | Brooks, Jason | Hartman, Ellie C. | Wilson, Matthew T. | Fujikawa, Mayu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The current study examined narrative data from a series of semi-structured focus groups in order to identify and examine the proficiencies and deficiencies in practice competencies specific to job functions in the changing practice environment of vocational rehabilitation (VR). Focus groups were conducted with members of organizations, individual service providers, as well as consumers and their families, and data were gathered to determine the potential barriers to employment and service needs of individuals with the most significant disabilities living in Wisconsin. Three major domains identified by the comprehensive needs assessment are employment knowledge, systems interactions and navigation, and consumer needs. …Recommendations are aimed at increasing opportunities for community-based employment for persons with disabilities, increasing communication between consumers and service providers, and most importantly, eliminating financial disincentives that promote facility based employment. Show more

Keywords: Vocational rehabilitation, employment, persons with severe disabilities, qualitative research, barriers

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2012-0583

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 73-86, 2012

Authors: Rudstam, Hannah | Strobel Gower, Wendy | Cook, LaWanda

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Are employers ready to hire, retain and accommodate veterans with disabilities (VWDs) returning from engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan? A survey of 1,083 human resource professionals examined employer readiness in three areas: knowledge, beliefs/willingness and actions/practices, with an emphasis on the signature disabilities of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Overall, employers surveyed did have willingness to employ VWDs and saw some benefits in doing so. Yet, they had key knowledge gaps around accommodating workers with PTSD and TBI and around disclosure issues. In the area of respondent willingness to employ VWDs, findings indicated most employers …believed VWDs would benefit their organizations and would perform as well as other workers. Yet, they believed employing VWDs would involve more costs and more of a manager's time and were largely unsure if workers with PTSD were more likely than others to be violent in the workplace. Respondents' actions/practices indicated that the majority were not using recruitment or other resources specific to VWDs and had scant experience in accommodating workers with PTSD and TBI. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of research and application to impact employer knowledge, willingness and practices around employing VWDs. Show more

Keywords: Veterans, post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, TBI, disability, employers, signature disabilities, recruiting, hiring, accommodating and retaining veterans

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2012-0584

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 87-95, 2012

Authors: Delin, Barry S. | Hartman, Ellie C. | Sell, Christopher W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study examined the influence that different amounts of work incentive benefits counseling had on consumers' employment outcomes. It also examined the influence of prior employment on service provision. Data were combined from two return-to-work projects in Wisconsin. Participants were volunteers receiving Social Security disability benefits and typically had stronger post-disability employment histories than the general SSDI and SSI populations. The amount of benefits counseling provided had positive and statistically significant impacts on all three outcomes, with estimated gains of $34 in earnings and $37 in income in each calendar quarter over a two year period. The gain in the …quarterly employment rate was 1.1%. Having strong employment outcomes in the period between establishing eligibility for a Social Security disability program and entering one of the return-to-work projects proved a strong predictor of how much service an individual participant received. Show more

Keywords: Work incentive benefits counseling, disability, employment, SSDI, SSI

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2012-0585

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 97-107, 2012

Authors: Beyer, Stephen

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Data was collected on nine supported employment agencies over one financial year on staffing ratio, staff qualifications, job finding approach, management structure, supervision arrangement, referral and funding sources, and typicalness of jobs and job placement approaches, replicating elements of Mank et al. (1997). Data was also collected on individual client wage and hours worked outcomes. An ANOVA revealed strong differences among agencies in hours worked, wages in the extent to which they acquired Job Acquisition, Compensation packages, Work Roles and Orientation and induction and programmes that were typical for the company they were placing into. An ANOVA on hours worked, …wages earned and typicalness in these key processes revealed a significant independent effects of management model and job finding approach. Stepwise regression analysis was used to quantify the impact on wage and hours worked outcomes of management model. Job coach approach, staff ratio and typicalness in these four key areas. Significant Beta coefficients were found between monthly wage and hours worked and typicalness of Compensation, Work Roles and Orientation scores. Management model impacted only on monthly wages. Show more

Keywords: Supported employment, natural support, management

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2012-0586

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 109-119, 2012

Authors: Yamamoto, Scott | Unruh, Deanne | Bullis, Michael

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The lack of employment opportunities and stable employment for individuals with disabilities continues to pose personal and societal difficulties and challenges. Moreover, research and government statistics have consistently reported that individuals with disabilities have lower employment wages and benefits than individuals without disabilities, as well as limited opportunities for promotion and career advancement. Not surprisingly, individuals with disabilities also experience persistently higher poverty rates. While much is known in the empirical-research literature about individuals with disabilities who work for someone else, much less is known about individuals in self-employment. Some anecdotal information suggests that self-employment may be a way to …improve these outcomes. In the present paper, we reviewed, analyzed, and synthesized the findings of empirical-research studies on self-employment of individuals with disabilities in the United States. We found that successful self-employment is defined in financial and non-financial terms and is largely influenced by three factors: individual characteristics, level of supports, and accountability systems. Because of the small number of U.S. research studies on self-employment, however, our conclusions are tentative. Further empirical research is needed, focusing especially on long-term outcomes. Implications for researchers, individuals with disabilities, and other stakeholders are discussed in conclusion. Show more

Keywords: Disabilities, self-employment, employment, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2012-0587

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 121-134, 2012