Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 57, issue 1

Authors: Schutz, Michele A. | Carter, Erik W.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Preparing students with disabilities for future employment is a primary purpose of special education and secondary transition services. OBJECTIVE: Knowing which interventions lead to subsequent employment is essential for establishing a strong evidence base that can guide the field. METHODS: We systematically reviewed available experimental and quasi-experimental studies that evaluated interventions addressing employment outcomes for transition-age youth with disabilities (ages 14–22). RESULTS: These 25 studies were of varied methodological quality, and most interventions improved employment status for youth. Collectively, these findings emphasize the importance and impact of connecting youth with disabilities to career …development experiences while they are still receiving transition supports. CONCLUSION: We offer recommendations for future research focused on unpacking the key features of these multi-component interventions as well as guidance on assessing meaningful employment outcomes for youth with disabilities. Show more

Keywords: Employment interventions, transition-age youth, systematic review, employment outcomes

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221194

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 1-21, 2022

Authors: Butenko, Daniil | Rinaldi, Miles | Brinchmann, Beate | Killackey, Eoin | Johnsen, Erik | Mykletun, Arnstein

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are anecdotal reports of high job turnover of Individual Placement and Support employment specialists. However, no studies have addressed this issue. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether turnover rates among employment specialists are higher compared to public sector employees along with the correlates of turnover intentions. METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional study collected data from 40 employment specialists in Norway using validated scales to measure job perceptions. Turnover intentions were the main outcome. RESULTS: Turnover rate of employment specialists (45.0%) was significantly higher than the average turnover rate of other occupations in the public sector …(27.1%) in the same geographical regions (x2  = 6.5, df = 1, p  = 0.01). After adjusting for potential confounders, five factors remained significantly associated with turnover intentions in directions as expected: general job satisfaction (β= –0.33, p  < 0.05), satisfaction with current work (β= –0.35, p  < 0.05), satisfaction with supervision (β= –0.28, p  < 0.05), work meaningfulness (β= –0.42, p  < 0.05) and Negative emotionality personality trait (β= 0.58, p  < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Addressing turnover will positively impact on productivity and job satisfaction of employment specialists along with continuity of employment support for people with mental health conditions. Show more

Keywords: Vocational rehabilitation, individual placement and support, employment specialist, healthcare workforce management, staff turnover

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221195

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 23-32, 2022

Authors: Krause, James S. | Dismuke-Greer, Clara E. | Jarnecke, Melinda | DiPiro, Nicole D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Joint studies of multiple sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury (SCI), both types of spinal cord dysfunction, have identified barriers and facilitators to employment and key outcomes including earnings and job benefits. However, there has been an absence of research on satisfaction with employment over one’s career. Such knowledge would help to establish the foundation for targeted vocational rehabilitation interventions. as well as differences in quality of employment outcomes, establishing the foundation for targeted vocational rehabilitation interventions. OBJECTIVE: Identify and quantify demographic, educational, vocational, and functional characteristics associated with career satisfaction, a quality employment outcome, among …people with MS and SCI. METHODS: There were a total of 3,371 participants, 1,229 with MS and 2,142 with SCI, all of whom were in the traditional working age range (< 65 years old). Participants were identified from the Southeastern and Midwestern regions of the USA and data were collected, processed, and analyzed at a medical university in the Southeastern USA. Econometric modeling identified factors associated with career satisfaction, as defined by a five-item composite scale that was converted to Z-scores, integrating analysis using both diagnostic groups. RESULTS: Participants who were gainfully employed and those who had left the labor force (unemployed with no hopes to return to work), reported higher career satisfaction than those who were unemployed and hoping to return to work. Higher career satisfaction scores were associated with more formal education and having worked in management/professional, natural resources, or service occupations. Higher scores were also observed among those older, not single, and who had fewer functional deficits. No differences were identified as a function of diagnosis, race-ethnicity, sex, or time since injury/diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Career satisfaction was more strongly related to educational attainment, vocational history, and labor force participation, than to demographic and disability factors. Vocational counselors should target those still in the labor force for skills development, job retention, and reacquisition to promote career satisfaction. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, job satisfaction, employment, rehabilitation, vocational

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221196

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 33-40, 2022

Authors: Parsons, Nicholas | D’Aprano, Fiore | Parish, Annie | Hughes, Matthew E. | Outsikas, Athanasia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Autistic adults have difficulty in learning vocational and social skills, which often translates into low employment rates. Video self-modelling (VSM) is an effective educational technique for high-support-needs autistic adults, with the ability to teach challenging vocational skills as well as basic social skills. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined the use of video self-modelling to teach vocational and social skills to a 22-year-old autistic adult. Target behaviours categories included (1) reading order forms, (2) transporting goods, and (3) engaging with customers. METHODS: A multiple baseline design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the videos in …teaching these target behaviours. The dependent variables were the percentage of tasks completed correctly, and quantitative prompt dependency, using a least-to-most prompting strategy. RESULTS: Results showed that VSM modestly improved reading order forms and transporting goods, and moderately improved engagement with customers. CONCLUSION: This intervention resulted in the successful employment of an autistic adult in a job that he desired, whilst teaching him skills he specifically struggled with. As such, VSM should be considered for others wanting to learn combined social and vocational skills. Show more

Keywords: Video self-modelling, autism spectrum disorder, vocational skill training, social skills; case study

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221197

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 41-52, 2022

Authors: Bennett, Keri | Dillahunt-Aspillaga, Christina | Lasley, Carla | Trexler, Laura C. | Schmeeckle, Will | Walker-Egea, Connie | Gonzalez, Cristina M. | Trexler, Lance E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Administration for Community Living (ACL) TBI State Partnership Program grants support states by providing funding to build capacity and infrastructure to support and maintain a system of services and supports to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). A Transition and Employment (T&E) workgroup identified competencies needed by Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC) to support people with TBI to obtain and maintain employment. OBJECTIVE: To: (1) identify self-perceived VRC TBI competence and (2) inform individual state VR training activities and competency goals. METHODS: A self-assessment online survey was employed. …RESULTS: A total of 269 VR professionals across four states completed the VRC Self-Assessment between December 2020 and February 2021. The T&E workgroup identified TBI competencies across four domains (1) brain injury medical and rehabilitation, (2) employment, (3) state and local systems, resources, and service coordination, and (4) national systems, research and best practice. The results by TBI competency and the overall score for all participants show that state and local systems, resources, and service coordination is the highest area of competency, placing them close to the proficient level of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Future VR education and training opportunities may be informed by the results of this study. Show more

Keywords: Brain injury, employment, vocational rehabilitation, capacity building, training

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221198

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 53-64, 2022

Authors: Munkedal, Ditte L. E. | Weye, Nanna | Fonager, Kirsten

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In Denmark, people with permanent and significantly reduced work capacity can be assigned to a flexi-job (FJ) scheme. In 2013, the social security policy for FJ was reformed to improve employment possibilities for people with reduced work capacity. OBJECTIVE: To describe work participation in the FJ scheme before and after the reform in the North Denmark Region. METHODS: The study population was assigned to the FJ scheme between 2010 and 2015 and followed for two years. Work participation score (WPS) was defined as the number of working weeks divided by the total number of weeks …in the FJ scheme. High WPS was defined as above the median. RESULTS: A total of 4,668 people were included in the study. High WPS was significantly influenced by enrolment after policy changes (odds ratio (OR)) 1.60, 95% CI 1.41–1.81), male sex (OR 1.20, CI 1.06–1.36), age above 50 (OR 0.72, CI 0.58–0.90), peripheral living (OR 0.75, CI 0.63–0.90), contact to both somatic and psychiatric healthcare (OR 0.55, CI 0.43–0.71) and a prior strong association to the labour market (OR 5.70, CI 4.40–7.37). CONCLUSIONS: Policy changes increased work participation in the FJ scheme. Show more

Keywords: Flexi-job, work participation score, policy changes, follow-up study, Denmark

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221199

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 65-71, 2022

Authors: McDonnall, Michele C. | Cmar, Jennifer L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Negative employer attitudes are a primary factor associated with low employment rates and high unemployment rates of people with blindness and low vision (B/LV). Research has identified correlates of employer attitudes, but no investigations of the structural relationships between variables have been published. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to extend the current research regarding employer attitudes toward people with B/LV by assessing the structural relationship between variables associated with employer attitudes. METHODS: Participants were 387 hiring managers employed by organizations across the country who completed an online survey. We utilized structural equation modeling …to confirm our measurement model and evaluate structural models of predicted relationships between variables. RESULTS: Five variables significantly predicted employer attitudes: awareness of people with disabilities at the worksite, knowledge, inaccurate belief in knowledge, previous hiring of someone with B/LV, and having a personal relationship with someone with B/LV. Previous communication with vocational rehabilitation (VR), having a company policy about hiring people with disabilities, and personal relationship predicted having hired someone with B/LV. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the value of VR professionals providing education about how people with B/LV perform work tasks while communicating with employers and providing trial work experiences to encourage hiring. Show more

Keywords: Blindness, low vision, visual impairment, employer attitudes, hiring, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221200

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 73-84, 2022

Authors: Dean, Evan E. | Garrels, Veerle | Sigstad, Hanne Marie Høybråten | Wendelborg, Christian

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: For people with intellectual disability (ID), competitive integrated employment (CIE) offers many important benefits, including opportunities for inclusion as well as enhanced mental health and quality of life. Yet, CIE outcomes for people with ID are low. One systemic issue that has not been completely studied is employer willingness to hire workers with ID. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand factors that effect employer willingness to hire people with ID, including employers’ personal experience with ID, corporate social responsibility, and perceptions of work performance. METHOD: This study was conducted in Norway and …used a survey design to understand factors that contribute to employer willingness to hire. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-eight employers responded to the survey. Our findings suggest that employers’ perception of work performance, corporate social responsibility, and prior experience hiring employees with ID are key predictors of willingness to hire. CONCLUSIONS: Supporting employers to gain experience with employees with ID in the workplace and understand the benefits of hiring employees with ID is a critical task in the endeavor to promote competitive integrated employment for people with ID. Show more

Keywords: ID, competitive integrated employment, survey research, quantitative, workplace

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221201

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 85-95, 2022

Authors: Houseworth, James | Pettingell, Sandra L. | Stancliffe, Roger J. | Bershadsky, Julie | Tichá, Renáta | Zhang, Alicia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) participate in a variety of day/employment activities including community-based activities and work and facility-based activities and work. These different activities have important implications for community inclusion and economic independence. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to use the National Core Indicators-In person Survey (NCI-IPS) to explore the prevalence of day/employment activities for adult service users with IDD and to determine what personal and environmental factors are related to each type of activity. METHODS: The data analyzed in this study come from the 2018-19 National Core Indicators (NCI), …a survey of adult services users with IDD in the U.S. We used descriptive statistics and multinominal logistic regression to explore how the various covariates differentially relate to the four day/employment activity types. RESULTS: A variety of personal and environmental characteristics were associated with each type of activity. Characteristics related to equity (e.g., race and gender) and support needs (e.g., mental health) were associated with less community-based work. CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first, to our knowledge, to describe the complexity of day/employment activities individuals with IDD experience in terms of prevalence and overlap. Further, this study provides evidence that certain profiles are leading to different experiences and that services do impact service users employment opportunities. Show more

Keywords: Employment, IDD, disability services, national core indicators, home and community based services (HCBS), dacility work

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-221202

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 97-112, 2022