Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 48, issue 2

Authors: Wehman, Paul

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180926

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 147-147, 2018

Authors: Luecking, Richard

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180924

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 149-150, 2018

Article Type: Other

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 151-151, 2018

Authors: Inge, Katherine J. | Wehman, Paul

Article Type: Introduction

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180936

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 153-154, 2018

Authors: Inge, Katherine J. | Graham, Carolyn W. | Brooks-Lane, Nancy | Wehman, Paul | Griffin, Cary

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Customized employment has generated support at the national, state, and individual participant levels to expand employment for people with significant disabilities. The next step is movement from practitioner-based descriptions to evidenced-based practices that can be consistently replicated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this qualitative research study was to begin the development of a research-based description that agencies can use to replicate customized employment when supporting individuals with significant disabilities. METHODS: Twenty-eight professionals representing national experts and implementers of customized employment participated in five phone-administered focus groups. The calls were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify themes …associated with customized employment implementation. RESULTS: Twelve key components or practices emerged as comprising customized employment. CONCLUSION: This research provides insight into the practices that are associated with customized employment that facilitate integrated employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Additional research is needed including random control trial studies to further the development of a replicable set of evidence-based practices. Show more

Keywords: Customized employment, discovery, disability, qualitative research, focus groups

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180928

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 155-166, 2018

Authors: Armstrong, Amy J. | Hawley, Carolyn E. | Darter, Benjamin | Sima, Adam P. | DiNardo, Jason | Inge, Katherine J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Since 2002 approximately 1,700 US military service members have experienced trauma related amputations from injuries incurred in Afhanistan and Iraq (Fisher, 2015). OBJECTIVE: This study explores the variables of resilience, individual characteristics, and employment status of a sample of these Veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and sustained an amputation. METHODS: Veterans identified through the VA Corporate Data Warehouse (N = 165) completed a survey on their experiences following amputation. RESULTS: Results indicate that several variables were significantly related to resilience, to include employment status, pain status, and …prosthetic use. CONCLUSION: Recommendations for future research and practice are provided. Show more

Keywords: Veterans, amputation, employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180923

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 167-175, 2018

Authors: Krause, James S. | Rumrill, Phillip | Dismuke-Greer, Clara E. | Jarnecke, Melinda

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Employment is of great importance to adult life and the onset of a disabling condition presents significant challenges to maintaining employment or obtaining new employment. Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) typically occurs during the most active years of employment. OBJECTIVE: To identify employment status, earnings, and job satisfaction of participants with MS and to compare these findings with that from a study of the National MS Society (NMSS). METHODS: Data were collected via mailed and web self-report assessment. RESULTS: We found an overall employment rate of 44.6%. This was higher than the rate …observed in the NMSS study (39.3%). Among those who were employed, the majority of participants were in the two lowest earning categories (less than $25,000 = 23.1%; $25,000–49,999 = 24.3%). Education was highly related to employment. For race/ethnicity, the highest employment rate was observed for non-Hispanic white participants (48.19%), followed by Hispanic (44.68%) and non-Hispanic blacks (35.9%). CONCLUSIONS: MS is related to diminishing employment outcomes that may affect participation and quality of life. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, employment, job satisfaction

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180931

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 177-186, 2018

Authors: Shogren, Karrie A. | Ward, Michael J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article re-affirms the call for attention to the development of self-determination skills and opportunities for people with disabilities. Recent data on rates of participation in postsecondary education and employment are reviewed, highlighting the ongoing disparities in post-school outcomes for people with disabilities. Next, research on the relationship between self-determination and post-school outcomes is reviewed as is research on effective strategies to promote self-determination. Implications for the field are highlighted.

Keywords: Self-determination, post-school, transition

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180935

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 187-196, 2018

Authors: Iwanaga, Kanako | Wu, Jia-Rung | Chen, Xiangli | Lee, Beatrice | Reyes, Antonio | Phillips, Brian N. | Pfaller, Joseph | Chan, Fong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms often make it difficult for individuals with MS to stay at work or return to work. It is important to understand the relationship between symptom clusters and employment. Person-environment (P-E) contextual factors such as core self-evaluations (CSE) and social support have been found to be effective mediators for the relationship between disability and participation in rehabilitation research and may be able to reduce the adverse impact of MS symptom cluster on employment outcome of people with MS. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mediation effect of CSE and social support on the relationship between symptom …cluster and employment in MS. METHOD: Quantitative descriptive research design using two simple mediation analyses. 154 persons with multiple sclerosis participated in this study. RESULTS: Results show that symptom cluster, CSE, and social support were significantly related to employment. Both CSE and social support were significant mediators of the relationship between symptom cluster and employment, with CSE a stronger mediator than social support. CONCLUSIONS: Managing MS symptoms and increasing CSE and social support will reduce the adverse impact of MS symptom cluster on employment outcome. Therefore, CSE and social support can be viewed as protective factors for maintaining employment in MS. These results provide support for the use of positive psychology interventions by vocational rehabilitation counselors working with individuals with multiple sclerosis. Show more

Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, symptom cluster, core self-evaluations, social support, and employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180930

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 197-206, 2018

Authors: Graham, Carolyn W. | Inge, Katherine J. | Wehman, Paul | Seward, Hannah E. | Bogenschutz, Matthew D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Extant research has reported on the factors associated with seeking and maintaining employment for individuals with different types of physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal cord injuries (SCI). Some of these factors are barriers and others are facilitators. However, research has not determined whether the inhibiting and facilitating employment experiences of people with physical disabilities are similar across type of physical disability. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to compare the employment experiences of people with physical disabilities with three different disabilities including CP, MS, and SCI to determine whether …these employment experiences are similar. METHODS: Homogenous focus groups were conducted with individuals with CP, MS, and SCI concerning their employment experiences. These 18 focus groups were conducted telephonically, audio recorded, and lasted approximately 60 minutes each. Data from each disability type was analyzed separately and across disability type. RESULTS: Two themes were common among participants in the three disability types: 1) Health and 2) Barriers to Overcome. However, there were differences among the disability types within these themes. Some of these differences were unique to MS. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a perspective on working with CP, MS, or SCI informed directly by individuals living with these disabilities, whether they were employed or unemployed, and gives a voice to the employment experiences of the individuals. The findings present information on the similarities and differences that individuals with various physical disabilities face when working. Show more

Keywords: Physical disabilities, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, SCI, employment, employment barriers, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180929

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 207-218, 2018