Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 7, issue 3

Authors: Wehman, Paul | Targett, Pamela Sherron | Freeman, Deanie | Leino, John

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: One of the recurring problems reported by supported employment participants has been an overall lack of involvement in the process. People with disabilities have reported feeling powerless within programs which offer no opportunity for choice and control. This creates a need to provide opportunities within supported employment to maximize consumer participation. The Consumer Initiated Approach to Supported Employment demonstrates how to promote full consumer inclusion. The authors provide an overview of this approach. Key model components include: customer lead assessment, customer driven job selection, individualized vocational supports and customized job retention services. The outcome data from this federally funded demonstration …project are also provided. Show more

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, Supported employment, Vocational rehabilitation, Choice, Empowerment, Customer initiated supported employment, Assessment, Job placement, Job skills training, Employment, Return to work

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1996-7311

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 205-215, 1996

Authors: Hirsh, Anne | Duckworth, Kendra | Hendricks, Deborah | Dowler, Denetta

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Cases from the Job Accommodation Network database that involved people with traumatic brain injury were examined to determine the nature of the industry, job, career progression, consequence, job function, accommodation, and ADA issues for this population. Most workplace difficulties were the result of cognitive consequences of the TBI and included remembering, organizing, learning, and planning skills. Types of accommodations related to these functional limitations are described. The employers, employees, and service providers had different issues related to implementation and interpretation of the ADA. The biggest. ADA issue for all three groups was effective performance in the workplace. For the employers, …safety concerns were also very apparent. The employees were concerned with basic ADA information about their rights and responsibilities. The service providers had fewer ADA-related issues to discuss, overall, but they asked more questions related to the use of a job coach than did the other two groups. The ADA can have a positive impact on the employment situation of people with TBI if employers, service providers, and the employees work together to find solutions. Show more

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Accommodation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1996-7312

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 217-226, 1996

Authors: Goodall, Patricia | Groah, Christine | Boyer, Eleana | Russo, Audrey

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effects of an acquired brain injury may impede an individual's ability to achieve meaningful employment and live independently. Unfortunately, existing community-based services are often inadequate or inappropriate to meet the needs of people with brain injury. As the number of people with brain injury increases due to advances in emergency medical and surgical care, survivors, family members, and service providers seek ways to meet the needs of people with brain injury beyond the acute recovery stage. The need for effective brain injury rehabilitation services is especially critical for individuals with challenging behaviors. In Virginia, a non-aversive, community-based support team …approach known as Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) is being used with persons with brain injury. This approach, initially used with individuals with developmental and other severe disabilities, appears to have potential as an effective approach to working with people with acquired brain injury who have difficult behaviors. The first time that the Positive Behavioral Support model was utilized specifically with persons with brain injury was in 1992 when the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, in collaboration with the Virginia Institute for Developmental Disabilities, a University Affiliated Program, implemented a one-year federally-funded project called PITON (‘Positive Intervention and Training Outcomes Network’). At the time of the PITON project, eighteen states including Virginia had implemented this innovative behavioral approach, mostly with people with developmental disabilities. This article provides a brief overview of the Positive Behavioral Supports approach, as well as two case studies describing the use of PBS with persons with brain injury in Virginia. Show more

Keywords: Brain injury, Behavioral, Vocational rehabilitation services, Positive behavioral support model

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1996-7313

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 227-242, 1996

Authors: Thomas, Dale F. | Menz, Fredrick E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Experience and observations gathered during research conducted with a national sample of community-based rehabilitation programs are discussed. Functional vocational assessment services reported are largely based upon procedures incorporated in the Vocational Assessment Protocol (Thomas, D.F. (1994) The vocational assessment protocol. Menomonie: University of Wisconsin-Stout, Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute, Research and Training Center.). This protocol was used as a basis for training staff and as a profiling technique to collect information relevant to physical, behavioral and vocational aspects of persons studied. Medical and rehabilitation services specialists, consumers, and family members were used as sources of information for developing service arrangements. Information …gathered on functional abilities of 149 persons provided insights as to how functional abilities assessment can highlight strength areas and methods of compensatory strategy development. General observations and recommendations gained during the course of follow-up interactions with consumers and staff from the field sites are shared with particular focus placed upon encouraging caregivers to provide information in a functional manner related to targeted goals for independence and work. Specific suggestions are offered regarding the importance of documenting functional assets and pre-injury skills, as well as present physical, neuropsychological, and social adaptive skills. Development of flexible and responsive vocational plans is discussed, and the importance of direct access to employment and postemployment resources is stressed. The material presented focuses upon general findings and practices found to useful with minimal emphasis on data related aspects of this study. Show more

Keywords: Functional assessment, Traumatic brain injury, Vocational evaluation, Case management of vocational issues following brain injury, Employment and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1996-7314

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 243-256, 1996

Authors: Cifu, David X. | Craig, Earl J. | Rowland, Todd

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Improvements in the medical and surgical management of individuals following trauma have resulted in an increased number of long-term survivors, especially among the most severely injured. Additionally, refinements in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs have allowed these survivors to return to the community more often, at higher functional levels, and in some cases, with a greater likelihood of getting back to work. Unfortunately, owing to the increased severity of injury, many of these individuals have multiple medical conditions even in the post-acute phase of recovery. An even greater number of survivors have numerous motoric, cognitive, and behavioral deficits, long after …their initial injury. In order to meet the increasing demands of more severely impaired clients, health care professionals assisting brain injured individuals return to employment need to become more familiar with the specific medical issues commonly seen. This review provides a framework and practical guide to the neuromedical considerations affecting return to work in the brain injured adult. Show more

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury, Neuromedical, Return to work, Employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1996-7315

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 257-265, 1996

Authors: Pancsofar, Ernest L.

Article Type: Book Review

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1996-7316

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 267-268, 1996

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1996-7317

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 269-270, 1996

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1996-7318

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 271-271, 1996