Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 22, issue 3

Authors: Breeding, R. Richard

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Sudden onset disability results from an injury or disease process and may disrupt major life activities on many levels. Rehabilitation consumers with sudden onset disabilities are frequently involved with disability insurance systems and often receive services through proprietary rehabilitation programs. Just as rehabilitation consumers served in public and private non-profit venues, proprietary consumers require comprehensive rehabilitation counseling intervention. Regardless of the service setting, rehabilitation counselors share professional practice activities in common: consumer …intake, assessment, planning, providing/arranging services, follow-through, and case documentation/closure. Vocational assessment is an integral component of rehabilitation counseling across settings, which provides a valuable opportunity to enhance active consumer participation throughout the rehabilitation process. Traditional assessment practices often fail to promote consumer involvement, resulting in potentially inaccurate or incomplete analysis of residual functional ability, as well as poor consumer participation in planning and direct service activities. Poor consumer participation often translates to rehabilitation outcomes that do not adequately reflect consumer vocational potential or personal needs. Fundamental improvements in the traditional rehabilitation assessment process across settings, with emphasis on practical applications that are immediately available to rehabilitation counselors in the underserved proprietary sector, are discussed. The implications for rehabilitation research are reviewed. Show more

Keywords: vocational assessment, vocational rehabilitation, proprietary rehabilitation counseling, sudden onset disability

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 131-141, 2005

Authors: Sleister, Stephanie L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article examines the vocational evidence used in determining disability in ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) claims. Since federal law governs the interpretation of ERISA insurance policies [2], if a dispute arises under an employer-sponsored long-term disability plan, it falls under the jurisdiction of ERISA litigation. The primary issue in an ERISA denial of benefits action is whether the plan administrator's final decision was arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of …discretion. Disability determinations in these policies rely on vocational evidence. This article reviews (a) the standards of disability determination in long-term disability policies and (b) the vocational evidence used to determine disability. Show more

Keywords: vocational expert, testimony, ERISA, lawsuits, long-term disability

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 143-147, 2005

Authors: Targett, Pam | Wehman, Paul | McKinley, William O. | Young, Cynthia

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 149-161, 2005

Authors: Breuer, Nancy L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Clients living with HIV/AIDS need specific skills not only to manage their medications and their diagnosis, but also to manage successfully in their own workplaces. Helping HIV-positive clients to be employed productively means preparing them to navigate disclosure, confidentiality, use of leave time, taking medications on the job and negotiating reasonable accommodation. Best practices for vocational counseling apply on these issues, but they require some adaptations for clients living with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: confidentiality, privacy, reasonable accommodation, productivity, absences, medications

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 163-169, 2005

Authors: Conyers, Liza | Unger, Darlene | Rumrill, Jr., Phillip D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article describes findings from an empirical investigation of the pattern of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I case resolutions by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) involving people with HIV/AIDS (n = 2,078) in comparison to the pattern of ADA Title I case resolutions involving all other people with disabilities between 1993 and 2002 (n = 187,684). Chi-square analysis revealed that people with HIV/AIDS are significantly more likely than other complainants to …receive settlement benefits from their employers, to have their cases resolved with findings of reasonable cause, and to have their cases closed administratively by the EEOC. People with HIV/AIDS are less likely than other complainants to have charges resolved with a finding of no reasonable cause and to have their complaints resolved via other closures. Implications of these findings for vocational rehabilitation practice are presented. Show more

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, employment discrimination

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 171-178, 2005

Authors: Razzano, Lisa A. | Hamilton, Marie M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: With the advent of more advanced treatments and therapies, people with HIV/AIDS are experiencing significant improvements in physical and mental health, making many of their ongoing career goals more realistic. However, many people with HIV/AIDS who are unemployed but would like to work continue to have major concerns regarding the impact of employment on their benefits and entitlements. In addition to issues regarding potential financial hardships, many people living with HIV/AIDS express uncertainty related to their …health status, and they worry that some working conditions could deleteriously affect their health. The present evaluation focuses on two major issues identified in previous research: health perceptions and sources of insurance and health benefits. In addition, the study utilizes a standardized instrument, the MOS-HIV Scale, designed specifically to characterize aspects of health and well-being among people with HIV/AIDS. Show more

Keywords: health, employment, HIV/AIDS

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 179-188, 2005

Authors: Conyers, Liza | Boomer, K.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article presents the findings from a research study investigating the patterns of job accommodation use and factors associated with disclosure of HIV/AIDS status to employers among a sample of 84 employed individuals with HIV/AIDS. Overall, more than half of the sample (52%, n = 43) used some form of job accommodation. Of these, 14% reported that they could not work without their accommodations and 34% indicated that they did not know if they could work …without accommodation. Logistic regression analyses indicated that the factors associated with disclosure of HIV/AIDS status to employers are different among participants who used accommodations and those who did not. Implications for rehabilitation practice and research are discussed. Show more

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, disclosure, job accommodation

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 189-198, 2005