Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 10, issue 1

Authors: Wehman, Paul

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10101

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 1-2, 1998

Authors: Weiner, Jan S. | Zivolich, Steve

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10102

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 3-4, 1998

Authors: Weiner, Jan S. | Zivolich, Steve

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Universal Access program at Universal Studios, Hollywood, represents a collaborative natural support effort organized by the Integrated Resources Institute, a non-profit corporation and Universal Studios, the corporate partner. The project, utilizing an array of natural support approaches, resulted in the training, placement and support of 16 persons with severe disabilities in employment. The corporate partner committed their own employees as mentors for career opportunities in a wide variety of positions across multiple departments within their growing organization. A full range of placement and support services were provided by the project including: job development, on the job training, natural supports, …job site modification, development of special aids and other work related support services. This program included placements for ethnically and culturally diverse individuals with severe disabilities in a variety of entertainment and recreation union occupations that reflect significant employment trends and opportunities in the United States. Although the program achieved significant success, the corporate partner was prepared to mentor a much larger number of employees with disabilities. Obstacles from the California Department of Rehabilitation are discussed in terms of its lack of capacity to respond with the required volume of candidates. Show more

Keywords: Supported employment, Natural support, Disability, Corporate initiative, Vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10103

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 5-14, 1998

Authors: Donovan, Mark R. | Tilson Jr., George P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The 1990s have offered great promise to people with disabilities regarding their ability to fully access all that society offers. Studies indicate, however, that particularly in the area of employment, reality has fallen short of the promise. Assuming that successful transition from school to work is a predictor of long term employment success, this article describes a transition model, currently operating in seven (mostly inner city) communities, which has achieved impressive results. Drawing from the experience of this model, implications for the broader field of vocational rehabilitation are examined, with a focus on the value of reality based competitive work …experience, and the importance of developing strong mutually beneficial relationships with employers. Show more

Keywords: Transition, Employment, Youth with disabilities, Relationships with business, Marriott Foundation for people with disabilities

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10104

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 15-21, 1998

Authors: Williams, Isaac J. | Petty, Debra Martin | Verstegen, Dale

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this study, the business approach to job development and its two models are reviewed and used in an 8-month demonstration project with four Tennessee community rehabilitation agencies. Agencies were selected based on a past successful placement history as well as geographic location and population served. These four agencies were brought together for an initial briefing meeting followed by 6 months of tracking job development activity with technical assistance and concluded with a debriefing meeting. This study tracks the effectiveness of the Cold Call and Referral Models and uses the data to make recommendations for best practices and problem solving. …Further findings from this project suggest that the business approach to job development is effective in obtaining jobs in larger corporations in 50% of the agencies interviewed. Show more

Keywords: Job development, Business approach, Quality improvement team, Data tracking, Referral model

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10105

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 23-29, 1998

Authors: Brooke, Valerie | Green, Howard | Kregel, John | Barcus, Michael | Selvy, Gary | Bunting, Kimberly | Wehman, Paul | Sedillo, Mike

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article summarizes the March, 1997 National Disability Business Summit which wa called by Virginia Commonwealth University-Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (VCU-RRTC) on Supported Employment, EDS and the Dallas Mayor's Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities. The goal of the Summit, as well as the business methods and strategies to increase the employment of people with disabilities are described. Business leaders from across the country share their ‘companies’ experience with the employment of people with significant disabilities. Both public and private sectors are analyzed to determine their role and impact for increasing the employment outcomes of people with …disabilities. Specific action plans and recommendations are presented here by the participating business members. Show more

Keywords: Disability, Employment, Supported employment, ADA

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10106

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 31-38, 1998

Authors: Perry-Vamer, Elizabeth

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: One Stop Career Centers (OSCC) consolidate under one roof a variety of employment options and training programs to form a delivery system for people who are job seeking as well as employers who are looking to hire. The goal of these centers is to provide convenience and to cut down on having to go to several locations to receive different services. The obstacles include a lack of concencus to co-mingle, co-locate or both; and how centers will be monitored and by whom. This article will examine these obstacles, specifically in how they impact the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Keywords: Co-mingle, Co-locate, Service delivery area (SDA), Private Industry Council (PIC), Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Universality, Customer choice, Paradigm shift

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10107

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 39-50, 1998

Authors: Cimera, Robert E. | Rusch, Frank R. | Heal, Laird W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study investigated the presence of job coaches at supported employee work sites in Illinois over a 4-year period (1990–1994). A random, stratified sample of 111 supported employees was explored in relationship to their ethnicity, age, IQ, gender, wages earned, hours worked, months employed and the placement approach (i.e. group vs. individual). Findings suggested that job coaches do not decrease their presence at work sites over time, regardless of the supported employee's IQ and placement approach. Furthermore, the primary predictor of job coach attendance was the ethnicity of the supported employees; job coaches were present less frequently at the job …sites of African-American supported employees than supported employees who were European-American. Show more

Keywords: Supported employment, Independence, Job coaches, Level of disability

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10108

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 51-63, 1998

Authors: Smith, T. Scott

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The population of persons with reflex sympathetic dystrophy comprises of a presently undocumented percentage of the caseloads of rehabilitation counselors working with injured workers. The reference and occurrence of reflex sympathetic dystrophy is widely noted in the medical literature and rehabilitation counselors are faced with the difficult task of prompting vocational independence, thus requiring an increased level of technical proficiency on the part of the practitioner. The phenomenon of reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a rehabilitation challenge and involves physiological happenings of the sympathetic nervous system, psychological factors and a multitude of other characteristics of the injured worker. The current article …reviews the many factors which can transform a minor injury into reflex sympathetic dystrophy. It assists the rehabilitation counselor in becoming technically more knowledgeable regarding the physiology of the sympathetic nervous system, mechanisms of worker compensations systems and offers specific principles to guide the vocational practitioner during the rehabilitation process. Show more

Keywords: Reflex sympathetic dystrophy, Return-to-work, Psychological factors, Sympathetic nervous system

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10109

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 65-69, 1998

Authors: Ford, Jerry

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The way in which a society organizes, distributes, values, and rewards employment is fundamental to the way in which all its citizens live. People with disabilities have generally been excluded and marginalized from the economic and social benefits of meaningful employment. This article presents an overview of specialist Australian employment services for people with disabilities and the employment status of the participants who access those services. This overview is presented within the context of disability legislation that has supported the funding of services and provided guidelines for their delivery.

Keywords: Employment, Legislation, Public policy, Supported employment, Employment outcomes

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-1998-10110

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 71-81, 1998