Frederik Winkelkotte, Lukas Baumann, Michelle Grengel, Jan Jochmaring, Jana York
{"title":"Use and acceptance of technologies in the German measure supported employment","authors":"Frederik Winkelkotte, Lukas Baumann, Michelle Grengel, Jan Jochmaring, Jana York","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240022","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: The measure Supported Employment (SE) and digitalization offer people with disabilities increased opportunities for participation in working life. Different technology acceptance models such as the TAM or UTAUT indicate that whether a technology is used or not crucially depends on various factors such as the perceived usefulness or perceived ease of use of a technology. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate factors influencing the acceptance of digital technologies in the measure SE. Risks and opportunities for people with disabilities are examined. METHODS: The data basis consists of 16 qualitative guided interviews with job coaches and clients. The data evaluation is carried out by means of qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: In line with the TAM and the UTAUT, six main factors could be identified as relevant for the acceptance of digital technologies in the measure SE: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitudes toward using, social influence, facilitating conditions, and individual factors seem to influence the actual use of technologies. The interviews show opportunities such as increased participation of people with disabilities in working life through technologies, but also risks such as the exclusion of older or less experienced people. CONCLUSION: Factors from technology acceptance research also apply in SE and must be recognized before introducing new technologies.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"274 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141387014","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}
Jaeyoung Kim, Sara Park, Yazmin Castruita-Rios, Marcus Weathers, Mirang Park, Katherine J. Inge, Tim Riesen, Beth Keeton, Lauren Avellone, Tim Tansey
{"title":"Customized employment for transition-age youth in state vocational rehabilitation program PY2017 - PY2020: Analysis of service outcomes and related factors","authors":"Jaeyoung Kim, Sara Park, Yazmin Castruita-Rios, Marcus Weathers, Mirang Park, Katherine J. Inge, Tim Riesen, Beth Keeton, Lauren Avellone, Tim Tansey","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240013","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Customized employment (CE) is positively correlated with competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes and potentially supports transition-age youth in achieving sustainable employment. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the employment outcomes and related factors for transition-age youth with disabilities who received CE services through state vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVRAs) and their vendors from program year 2017 to 2020. METHODS: Employing a combination of descriptive analysis, binary logistic and multiple regression, chi-square tests, and t-tests, the study investigates the demographics, potential barriers, and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services received by the research sample using the RSA-911 dataset. RESULTS: The sample comprised 672 individuals with a mean age of 22.30 years. The most prevalent barrier to employment among CE participants was long-term unemployment, while Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was the most common social security benefit. Furthermore, only 13.2% of transition-age youth achieved CIE status, compared to 30.1% of adults. The key predictors of employment outcomes, including CIE status, weekly earnings, and working hours were identified. CONCLUSION: The research reveals significant differences in employment outcomes between transition-age youth and adult VR consumers. These insights emphasize the necessity for SVRAs to consider a range of factors, including demographics, potential employment barriers, and the effects of various VR services, to increase the CE service effectiveness for transition-age youth.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140717520","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}
Laysha Ostrow, M. Pelot, Jane K. Burke-Miller, Kila Robinett, Patricia B. Nemec
{"title":"Reclaiming employment: A pilot study of online entrepreneurship training for individuals with psychiatric disabilities","authors":"Laysha Ostrow, M. Pelot, Jane K. Burke-Miller, Kila Robinett, Patricia B. Nemec","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240020","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Many individuals with psychiatric disabilities face workplace challenges that motivate them to pursue self-employment, but accessible self-employment support is lacking. Using participatory action research, Reclaiming EmploymentTM (RE), an online interactive platform that provides self-employment education for people who experience mental health-related challenges around work, was developed to address these gaps. OBJECTIVE: An observational pilot study of RE examined usage, usability, self-efficacy, and self-employment income. METHODS: Participants (N = 97) used RE for six months; survey data was collected at three timepoints to measure entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and income generated from self-employment. Usability was assessed post-intervention using the System Usability Scale. RESULTS: More than 70% of participants used RE; there was no association between non-usage and demographic characteristics, nor prior use of other self-employment supports. RE users rated the platform at above average usability, although those who experienced long-term unemployment rated the platform significantly lower compared to wage or self-employed users. In longitudinal regression models, we found use of RE was significantly associated with increases in some ESE subscales and mean ESE. Use of RE was not associated with gains in income. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrates acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of an online entrepreneurship training for individuals with psychiatric disabilities.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"67 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140722457","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":"Examining a leadership development initiative for college students with intellectual and developmental disability: A brief report","authors":"A. Plotner, Charles B. Walters, Yvette Rother","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240016","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: The number of inclusive college programs for students with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) in the United States has steadily increased in recent years. As access to college becomes a more realistic prospect for people with IDD, there is a pressing need to examine the offerings and impacts of these programs critically. OBJECTIVE: One potential offering of inclusive college programs that has not been given much attention is opportunities for student leadership development (LD). The purpose of this brief report was to evaluate the perspectives of staff members in a program geared towards providing a paid LD opportunity to students with IDD in an inclusive college program in the southeastern United States. METHODS : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten student-employees staffing this LD opportunity and constant comparative analysis was employed to organize interview content by themes. RESULTS: Four primary themes arose as a result of the analytic process: character development, communication, opportunities for leading and mentoring others, strategic reflection, and individual empowerment. Each is explored in summation and through exemplary quotes from participants. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study provide important implications for professionals and future research to support maximizing the positive impact of these programs on the lives of students with IDD.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"198 S581","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140730734","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}
Rae Morris, Jennifer Christianson-Barker, T. Stainton, Rachel Mills, Monica Schroeder, John Cox, Chris Rowley, Rachelle Hole
{"title":"Employment practices as experienced by persons with intellectual disability, employers, and employment specialists across Canada","authors":"Rae Morris, Jennifer Christianson-Barker, T. Stainton, Rachel Mills, Monica Schroeder, John Cox, Chris Rowley, Rachelle Hole","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240019","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Rates of un- and under-employment are high among persons with intellectual disabilities in Canada. More information is needed to better understand how current employment practices are experienced by persons with intellectual disabilities and those who hire and support them. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory and descriptive study sought to learn about employment practices as experienced by self-advocates with intellectual disabilities, employers, and employment specialists; to identify key barriers and facilitators to equitable inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities in attaining and maintaining paid and competitive employment. METHODS: An online survey invited participants from all three groups to share their experiences and descriptive analysis was conducted to offer a summary of patterns across participant experiences. RESULTS: 149 participants (77 employment specialists, 59 self-advocates, and 13 employers) from across Canada participated in the survey and shared information about their experiences across recruitment, hiring, integration, and performance management of persons with intellectual disabilities. CONCLUSION: This study offers information about employment practices in Canada that directly impact the experiences of potential or current employees with intellectual disabilities. The findings may be used to inform the development of employment standards, best practices, and/or future research to improve disability-inclusive employment.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"43 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140735285","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":"The time is now: Increasing competitive integrated employment opportunities for all Americans with disabilities","authors":"Lauren Avellone","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240012","url":null,"abstract":"We are pleased to share with you an important written testimony submitted for Senator Bob Casey’s Hearing in the U.S. Senate on “All Means All: Empowering People with Disabilities in Careers and in the Workplace.” This testimony was provided by Dr. Lauren Avellone, Associate Professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University –Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. This testimony took place on Thursday February 29, 2024. Her testimony focused on the positive impact of competitive integrated employment on people with high support needs working within the United States, the need to eliminate 14c certificates which enable subminimum wages to be paid to people with disabilities, and solutions for achieving greater employment outcomes for all people with disabilities who would like to obtain employment. Statement from Dr. Paul Wehman, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"25 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140737374","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":"Why I’m not working: People with vision impairments explain","authors":"A. Crudden, Anne Steverson, Katerina Sergi","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240018","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Approximately half of people with vision impairments are not employed or looking for work. Many of these people have additional health or disability concerns, but little is known about those concerns or other reasons they are out of the workforce. OBJECTIVE: We investigated employment barriers impacting labor force participation among people with vision impairments, their perceptions of their skills and training needs, and the impact of not working on their economic status. METHODS: Thirty people with vision impairments who were not in the labor force participated in exploratory interviews conducted using a semi-structured protocol. We used a qualitative software program and multiple researchers to code the interviews, identify and analyze themes, and organize participants’ information. RESULTS: Employment barriers included concerns about health and disability, employer attitudes, transportation, training needs, economics, age, and lack of support. Some participants wanted to work now or in the past but were unable to find employment that accommodated their needs and generated a salary that made it economically worthwhile. CONCLUSION: Participants appear to need assistance identifying career paths leading to economic security, training for these careers, locating affordable transportation, and working with employers to gain workplace accommodations. Providing support and encouraging family support may positively influence interest in employment.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"39 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140736887","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}
Lindsay S. Athamanah, Lisa S. Cushing, Erin M. Fastzkie, Erin R. Brown
{"title":"Natural supports in competitive integrated employment: A scoping review","authors":"Lindsay S. Athamanah, Lisa S. Cushing, Erin M. Fastzkie, Erin R. Brown","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240017","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Competitive integrated employment (CIE) improves the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Individuals with IDD may need additional support in the workplace. Natural supports has been studied as an intervention to provide support and increase vocational and social skills for individuals with IDD in the workplace. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review the existing literature conducted on implementing natural supports in CIE settings to build vocational or social skills for individuals with IDD. METHOD: We followed the PRISMA-ScR process to identify articles across seven databases and coded information related to demographics, methodology, and outcomes. RESULTS: Seventeen articles were identified between 1985 –2024 that focused on implementing natural supports in CIE settings for individuals with IDD. Studies addressed vocational and social skills and broader vocational topics such as wages, hours worked, and inclusion in the workplace. CONCLUSION: Employees with IDD improved their engagement in vocational tasks, increased their social interactions with coworkers, and improved their quality of life through increased wages, hours worked, and job tenure. Additional research is warranted to provide further evidence on the impact of natural supports in the workplace for employees with and without IDD.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"106 s1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140740586","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}
Jina Chun, Catherine. A Anderson, Stuart Rumrill, Constance Richard, Kaiqi Zhou, Hannah Fry, Robert J. Froehlich
{"title":"Promoting quality career pathways for individuals with disabilities through the public vocational rehabilitation program","authors":"Jina Chun, Catherine. A Anderson, Stuart Rumrill, Constance Richard, Kaiqi Zhou, Hannah Fry, Robert J. Froehlich","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240014","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: Career Pathways initiatives in Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) have emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing quality employment outcomes among individuals with disabilities. This paper conducts a comprehensive examination of the integration of Career Pathways within VR, emphasizing its significance in aligning vocational goals with evolving labor market demands. OBJECTIVE: Drawing from the innovative Career Pathways initiatives introduced by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), this paper addresses the RSA Career Pathways Demonstration Initiatives from 2015 to 2019 alongside the ongoing Disability Innovation Fund-Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project. The paper also discusses the strengthening of Career Pathways through the development of high-quality Individualized Plans for Employment and program evaluation. METHODS: This study utilized a modified exploratory case study approach to examine past and present career pathways initiatives in state VR agencies. Data were gathered from publicly available documentation and archival records, focusing on 12 cases from two national initiatives: the RSA Career Pathways Demonstration Initiatives (2015–2019) and the Disability Innovation Fund-Career Advancement Initiative Model Demonstration Project (2021–2026). RESULTS: The study reveals a substantial, positive impact on employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities through Career Pathways in VR programs, facilitated by the integration of adaptable pathways, individualized planning, and program evaluation.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"88 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140755369","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}
J. Bezyak, Elysia Versen, Fong Chan, Deborah Lee, Jia-Rung Wu, Kanako Iwanaga, Phil Rumrill, Xiangli Chen, Hanson Ho
{"title":"Needs of human resource professionals in implicit bias and disability inclusion training: A focus group study","authors":"J. Bezyak, Elysia Versen, Fong Chan, Deborah Lee, Jia-Rung Wu, Kanako Iwanaga, Phil Rumrill, Xiangli Chen, Hanson Ho","doi":"10.3233/jvr-240015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3233/jvr-240015","url":null,"abstract":"BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND: Research investigating the implicit bias of employers towards individuals with disabilities emphasizes the importance of increased attention to implicit bias in the workplace. Previous research supports the use of trainings to promote awareness and education of implicit and explicit bias toward people with disabilities among employers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to better understand employers’ stigmatizing attitudes toward individuals with disabilities and develop effective strategies to increase awareness and knowledge related to these negative attitudes. METHODS: Two focus groups of HR professionals were conducted to investigate guidelines and content areas that should be included in training. Data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis (QCA) methodology. RESULTS: Researchers identified four major themes regarding guidelines for training development: 1) educational information on implicit and explicit bias, 2) disability inclusion information and strategies, 3) consideration of multiple learning modalities, and 4) case studies. CONCLUSION: Training interventions incorporating these needs and preferences of HR professionals may more effectively increase awareness of implicit bias in the workplace. Sharing evidence regarding implicit and explicit bias, along with current information on disability inclusion, while using varied instructional strategies may lead to a reduction in disability-related stigma and discrimination in the workplace.","PeriodicalId":506948,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation","volume":"69 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140753038","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}