Affiliations: University of New Hampshire, 105 Main St., Durham, NH
03824, USA | St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author
Abstract: Vocational rehabilitation has increasingly emphasized individualized
community employment for individuals with severe disabilities. Early approaches
were highly controlled by rehabilitation professionals, but research has shown
that high levels of professional support can be intrusive, and that businesses
are more able to participate in the support process than was initially assumed.
This article summarizes recent developments leading to a new generation of
partnership approaches that support and build the capacity of employers to
successfully employ individuals with severe disabilities. Four innovative
approaches – a consultation model of employer support, the development of
business consortia, expanding diversity programs, and directing service funding
to employers or coworkers – are described and the implications for
rehabilitation services are outlined.
Keywords: vocational rehabilitation, employer support, severe disability
