Continuous quality improvement in supported employment: a European perspective

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Patricia Noonan Walsh, | David Mank, | Stephen Beyer, | Rebecca McDonald, | Ann O'Bryan,

Affiliations: National University of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. Tel.: +353 1 706 8702; Fax: +353 1 706 8568; E-mail: [email protected] | University of Indiana, USA. Tel.: +1 812 855 6508 | Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities, Cardiff, Wales, UK | University Affiliated Program of New Jersey, USA | National Development Team, Manchester, UK

Abstract: Supported employment has reached thousands of men and women with developmental disabilities in Europe. Each country has developed programs which best fit its distinctive social and economic context. While this diversity reflects local conditions, it also challenges those charged with evaluating current programs and planning to maintain and improve quality. This paper documents the application of CQI - Continuous Quality Improvement - to eight supported employment programs operating in the European Union. A Quality Project Team - the authors - visited programs in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Spain during 1997 to conduct CQI workshops with service providers, supported employees and their families, employers, co-workers and other partners in the community. The evaluation process is described and further developments to improve the quality of employment services are proposed.

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 165-174, 1999