Effects of a social competence training program on accommodation request activity, situational self-efficacy, and Americans with disabilities act knowledge among employed people with visual impairments and blindness

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Phillip D. Rumrill, Jr.,

Affiliations: Kent State University, Dept. of Educational Foundations and Special Services, 405 P White Hall, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA

Note: [] Tel.: +1 330 672 2294; Fax: +1 330 672 2512; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This article describes an experimental training program to increase knowledge, confidence, and participation in the Americans with Disabilities Act's Title I accommodation request process among employees who are blind or visually impaired (N=46). Participants in the experimental condition (n=23) completed a structured interview to identify their needs for reasonable accommodations, received detailed information about Title I provisions and about national accommodation resources, and completed an intensive social competence/self-advocacy program to develop skills in requesting on-the-job accommodations from their employers. Compared to a matched and randomly assigned control group (n=23), experimental participants were significantly more knowledgeable, confident, and active in the accommodation request process at a 16-week follow-up. Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation policy and practice are also discussed.

Keywords: blindness and job retention, reasonable accommodations, self-advocacy

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 25-31, 1999