James S. Krause, C. Dismuke-Greer, Melinda Jarnecke, N. DiPiro
{"title":"Career satisfaction among working age individuals with multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury","authors":"James S. Krause, C. Dismuke-Greer, Melinda Jarnecke, N. DiPiro","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221196","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221196","url":null,"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.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81454906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Elevating the employment outcomes of transition-age youth with disabilities: Four decades of intervention research","authors":"Michele A. Schutz, E. Carter","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221194","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221194","url":null,"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.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75110240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mary-Kaye Wharakura, H. Lockett, P. Carswell, Geraldine Henderson, Heather Kongs-Taylor, J. Gasparini
{"title":"Collaboration in the context of supporting people with mental health and addiction issues into employment: A scoping review","authors":"Mary-Kaye Wharakura, H. Lockett, P. Carswell, Geraldine Henderson, Heather Kongs-Taylor, J. Gasparini","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221191","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221191","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: People with mental health and addiction issues have significantly lower levels of labor force participation than the general population. How organizations collaborate, particularly employment and health services, influence this disparity. Whilst collaboration has been examined, investigation of the role of collaboration context is limited. OBJECTIVE: To identify what affects collaboration to support people with mental health and addiction issues into employment. METHODS: A review and synthesis of the collaborative healthcare literature identified important a priori factors at macro, meso, and micro levels. A targeted scoping review of vocational rehabilitation literature identified the collaboration factors most relevant to supporting people with mental health and addiction issues into employment. RESULTS: Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria for the scoping review. Whilst some factors effecting collaboration aligned across these different contexts, there were notable differences. The vocational rehabilitation literature emphasized roles and responsibilities, contracting, training and technical assistance, sharing information, relationship continuity and practitioner value alignment. There was less emphasis in the vocational rehabilitation literature on practitioners’ beliefs about collaboration, how agencies work together around the person, and on infrastructure support. CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration in the context of supporting people with mental health and addiction issues into employment needs planning and support. Whilst many factors known to enable collaboration remain important, the collaboration context matters.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73433938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eve Müller, Danielle Pouliot Evans, Kelly Offutt, Ann S. Kern
{"title":"This is me: Impact of an electronic secondary transition tool on novel adults’ knowledge of students with developmental disabilities’ support strategies and interests","authors":"Eve Müller, Danielle Pouliot Evans, Kelly Offutt, Ann S. Kern","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221190","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Critical information for supporting students with developmental disabilities is often lost in the process of transitioning from school to work and other domains of post-school life. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the impact of This is Me (TiME), an electronic secondary transition tool, on novel adults’ abilities to learn about students’ supports/interests. TiME stories are customized tools, created in collaboration with students using their personal iDevices, that allow students to teach new adults in their lives about themselves by sharing picture and video clip examples of support strategies necessary for communication, executive function, and other vital information. METHODS: Participants were transition-aged students with communication disorders and developmental disabilities (e.g., autism and/or intellectual disabilities) each paired with a novel adult. We used a randomized control design to compare novel adults’ knowledge of students before and after viewing students’ TiME stories. RESULTS: Following sharing of students’ TiME stories, novel adults were able to describe much more about students’ strategies and other personal information than following unaided conversations. CONCLUSION: TiME stories offer a promising tool for supporting transition-aged students to teach new employers, employment service providers, and other adult service staff about their strengths and needs at work and in other post-school contexts.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86345788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Bishop, Deborah Lee, Kaiqi Zhou, Kanako Iwanaga, Fong Chan, T. Tansey
{"title":"Identifying vocational rehabilitation outreach and service training priorities: A national survey from diverse perspectives","authors":"M. Bishop, Deborah Lee, Kaiqi Zhou, Kanako Iwanaga, Fong Chan, T. Tansey","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221188","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221188","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: This article summarizes the results of a needs assessment survey project presented at the 2021 National APSE Virtual Conference. This research was conducted by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC-QE), a Technical Assistance Center funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the survey was to determine technical assistance and training needs of state VR counselors in four practice domains: (a) outreach services, (b) pre-employment transition services, (c) vocational rehabilitation services, and (d) employment services. METHODS: A national survey was conducted among 229 SVRA professionals, including directors, staff, and VR counselors, and 92 professionals in community-based rehabilitation agencies, allowing a comparison of the relative importance ratings of the two groups. RESULTS: The ratings of both SVRA and CBRA professionals were generally aligned, but with some significant differences, as discussed in more detail in Tansey et al. (in press). CONCLUSIONS: The priorities identified through this survey will support the development and implementation of technical assistance activities that are responsive to the needs of SVRA professionals providing vocational rehabilitation to persons with disabilities and increasing the capacity of these agencies to promote quality employment outcomes.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75890943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Claire Donehower Paul, E. Thomas, Chelsea Marelle, Sharish Z. Hussain, Allison M. Doulin, Eliseo Jimenez
{"title":"Using wireless technology to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in vocational settings: A focus group study","authors":"Claire Donehower Paul, E. Thomas, Chelsea Marelle, Sharish Z. Hussain, Allison M. Doulin, Eliseo Jimenez","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221193","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221193","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: The benefits of successful integrated employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are immense. However, barriers contributing to high rates of unemployment among people with IDD, such as lack of appropriate training for employers and inadequate supports, are still widespread. Ensuring access to technology in the workplace is one method to support employees with IDD and mitigate those barriers. Furthermore, assistive technology may provide a simple and cost-effective intervention in the vocational setting. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we conducted a series of focus groups with adults with IDD and their family members to explore the use of technology by individuals with IDD in vocational contexts. METHODS: We used a qualitative descriptive approach to frame the study design. Data were analyzed using a multi-cycle thematic coding process. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the analysis: participants’ wireless/wearable technology use, benefits and facilitators of technology use at work, barriers and challenges to technology use at work, and expectations for and outcomes associated with technology supports in the workplace. CONCLUSIONS: Findings have the potential to impact employer education and training on benefits of appropriate technology use for individuals with IDD at work, onboarding and training of individuals with IDD when using technology at work, and funding responsibility for technology in the workplace.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75012340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Martin, J. Nunnerley, T. Young, A. Hall, D. Snell, J. Hackney, J. Bourke, S. Derrett, J. Dunn
{"title":"Vocational wayfinding following spinal cord injury: In what contexts, how and why does early intervention vocational rehabilitation work?","authors":"R. Martin, J. Nunnerley, T. Young, A. Hall, D. Snell, J. Hackney, J. Bourke, S. Derrett, J. Dunn","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221189","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221189","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Early intervention vocational rehabilitation (EIVR) is used to optimize return to work (RTW) outcomes for people following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, theoretical clarity is required about how EIVR works, for whom and under what circumstances. OBJECTIVE: To develop a theoretical understanding of how people respond to EIVR following SCI and the contexts in which mechanisms of intervention effect are likely to be activated. METHODS: Realist research methods were used to analyze interviews with 30 participants who had received EIVR following SCI. RESULTS: We conceptualized the reporting of our analyses using a travel metaphor, encapsulating the types and degree of wayfinding support participants required to think about, plan and action their vocational aspirations. Developing, maintaining and enacting hope, supporting self-identity and vocational identity, and focusing on environmental context adaptations required to enact vocational aspirations, appear to be critical mechanisms of intervention effect within EIVR. CONCLUSIONS: Various contexts and mechanisms of EIVR contribute to successful negotiation, achievement and sustainability of RTW outcomes for people following SCI. These theoretical understandings can refine EIVR service provision within SCI rehabilitation and inform how EIVR can improve RTW outcomes for people with acquired neurological conditions in other rehabilitation contexts.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77666298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A balancing act: The employer perspective on disability disclosure in hiring","authors":"Kaja Larsen Østerud","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221192","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: How to disclose an impairment during the hiring process is an important question for disabled people, yet the associated employer perspective remains overlooked in the literature. OBJECTIVE: The article investigates whether, when and how employers prefer jobseekers to disclose their impairment during the recruitment process. Stigma and impression management is used as a theoretical lens to interpret employer responses. METHODS: The article uses interview data from 38 Norwegian employers paired with behavioral data from a recruitment situation. Prior to the interviews, the employers were subjected to a field experiment wherein pairs of fictitious applications were submitted for real job listings. In these, one of the applicants disclosed either a mobility impairment or a mental health condition. RESULTS: The findings show that disability disclosure is a balancing act between appearing candid and demonstrating competence and that employers favor identity management strategies that present disability in a positive and unobtrusive manner and downplay the impairment. The employers favored disclosure but expected wheelchair users to disclose their impairment earlier than people with mental health conditions. Furthermore, employers with a relational view on disability were found to be more open to hiring disabled people. CONCLUSIONS: The article illustrates how disclosure expectations can represent a significant disability penalty, thus hampering employment advancement for disabled people.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78504072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alberto Migliore, Michael J. Petrick, K. Dierks, Preston Finkle, Alexander Suyer
{"title":"Leveraging electronic documentation software to improve employment outcomes of job seekers with disabilities","authors":"Alberto Migliore, Michael J. Petrick, K. Dierks, Preston Finkle, Alexander Suyer","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221187","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221187","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Over the past decades, researchers have made tremendous progress in identifying standards of practice for supporting job seekers with disabilities achieve their career goals. However, little is known about the actual implementation of these standards, which may affect the quality of services, and thus put job seekers at a higher risk of not fully realizing their career goals. OBJECTIVE: To explore how electronic documentation software could be leveraged to monitor the implementation of national standards in employment supports for quality improvement. METHODS: A panel of three vendors of electronic documentation software shared their experiences at the 2021 Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) conference. RESULTS: Most employment programs use their electronic documentation software primarily for billing and compliance reporting. Lack of standard metrics and guidelines are a challenge to leverage technology for quality improvement. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for standard metrics and guidelines so employment programs can leverage technology for quality improvement of employment services and outcomes.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"29 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82624842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A practice brief: Virtual supports in ACE-IT’s inclusive higher education program","authors":"Aliza Lambert, Stephanie Lau, Jaclyn Camden","doi":"10.3233/jvr-221184","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-221184","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: During the onset of COVID-19, universities across the country shifted to virtual modalities. For inclusive postsecondary education programs, this shift required developing new strategies to continue highly individualized supports for students with ID/DD. Navigating this shift demanded collaboration and communication between program staff and students. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this practice brief is to share strategies used in the 2020-2021 academic school year for VCU ACE-IT in College. In this practice brief, ACE-IT staff reflect on practices to support virtual work and school so other inclusive postsecondary education programs can replicate innovative supports. METHODS: To prepare this practice brief, program staff reviewed program materials and identified programmatic changes that occurred during the 2020-2021 academic year. Program materials included student academic and career case notes, employment shift notes, staff meeting agendas, communications between staff and college instructors, and program training materials. RESULTS: Program staff implemented a variety of strategies to improve organization and communication between students, program staff, college faculty, and employers. Many of these systems have been retained since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION: Alternative formats for work and school continue to evolve. It is critical for inclusive postsecondary education programs to integrate virtual supports into their practices so students can prepare to enter the pandemic and post-pandemic workforce.","PeriodicalId":47208,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"133 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80292661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}