Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 31, issue 1

Authors: Kregel, John | On May 19, 2009, Dr. John Kregel provided testimony to the Social Security Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives on ways to improve the Social Security Administration's employment and return to work programs. His testimony is provided below in its entirety.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0466

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2009

Authors: Revell, Grant | Smith, Frank | Inge, Katherine

Article Type: Review Article

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0467

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 11-18, 2009

Authors: Conley, Ron | Conroy, James W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Florida Freedom Initiative (FFI) was an innovative demonstration project that utilized Waivers from the Medicaid program and the Supplemental Security Income Program, and greatly expanded counseling to increase integrated employment and independence among persons with significant disabilities. Although the FFI Waiver was not renewed at the end of three years, a subsequent assessment provided significant insights as to needed future program directions. It was clear that enrollees were as interested in being able to save for items such as car, home, or starting a business, as they were in improving their earnings. Unfortunately, many obstacles were encountered. There …was considerable resistance from families due to: the prospect of low earnings; transportation problems; fear of losing benefits; and a lack of trust in the continuity of the FFI. In addition, some local agencies were not fully conversant with the FFI, some resisted efforts to place certain people in employment because of prior negative assessments of capability to work, and some responded very slowly to requests from FFI participants on such issues as program eligibility or the effect of employment on benefits. Ultimately, for these and other reasons, one must conclude that current programs to assist persons with significant disabilities to achieve vocational and other goals are dysfunctional, and significant changes are needed. Show more

Keywords: Employment, self-determination, significant disability, coordination

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0468

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 19-27, 2009

Authors: Boeltzig, Heike | Timmons, Jaimie C. | Butterworth, John

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The paper presents employment outcomes of men and women with developmental disabilities (DD) who recently entered individual employment with the support of a community rehabilitation provider (CRP). The findings are based on an analysis of the National Survey of Community Rehabilitation Providers, Individual Employment Outcomes Survey, conducted between 2004 and 2005 by the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. Survey results show that while men and women with DD are earning meaningful wages, women with DD are working fewer hours in lower-wage jobs and earn less money, although only the latter was found to be …statistically significant. Significant gender differences were found, however, with respect to the types of jobs men and women with DD held in individual employment. Overall, outcome findings suggest consistency with previous research. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings and provides directions for future research. Show more

Keywords: Developmental disabilities, gender, integrated employment, supported employment, employment outcomes, survey methodology

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0469

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 29-38, 2009

Authors: Ottomanelli, Lisa | Bradshaw, Ledjona D. | Cipher, Daisha J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Although there is a considerable body of literature documenting poor return towork rates among persons with SCI in the general population, little attention has been given to understanding patterns of return to work and use of vocational rehabilitation services among veterans with SCI. The purposes of the present study were to investigate the extent to which veterans are able to obtain competitive employment after a spinal cord injury and to explore veterans' use of existing vocational rehabilitation services. This study surveyed 30 veterans receiving healthcare at the VA North Texas Healthcare System Spinal Cord Injury Center. Thirty percent of our …sample had a history of employment after SCI, a rate that is comparable to figures reported in prior studies of employment rates among non-veterans with SCI. Most veterans were unaware of vocational services either within or outside of the VA, and awareness of services was significantly lower for persons with tetraplegia compared to veterans with paraplegia. Of those who were aware of vocational services, only a minority used them. The findings of this study emphasize the need to educate veterans, especially those with more severe injuries, about vocational rehabilitation services as a possible means of improving employment outcomes in this special population. Show more

Keywords: Employment, disabilities, spinal cord injuries, vocational rehabilitation, veterans

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0470

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 39-43, 2009

Authors: Gao, Ni | Waynor, William R. | O'Donnell, Shannon

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Supportive housing programs are highly effective in reducing recidivism and preventing homelessness among individuals with serious mental illness. However, supportive housing programs have not focused on increasing employment outcomes among consumers residing in their programs. In addition, creating organizational commitment among supportive housing providers towards improving consumer employment outcomes remains a major challenge. This article describes how an agency made an organizational transformation from providing traditional housing services to developing an in-house supported employment service, and successfully increased consumer competitive employment rates from 13% to 54% within two years. The organizational change strategies and interventions that can be generalized to …other housing providers are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Organizational change, disabilities, supportive housing and employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0471

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 45-50, 2009

Authors: Post, Michal | Montgomery, Joyce | Storey, Keith

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This article provides a decision tree for determining the most effective method of auditory prompting systems in order to increase workplace independence for employees with severe disabilities. A flow-through chart, The Auditory Prompts Decision Tree, is presented to guide this planning process. The Auditory Prompts Decision Tree is useful when analyzing why the breakdown in work performance is occurring and for selecting the types of auditory prompts that will support the employee's work performance needs. Specific examples from research studies are provided to illustrate the use of the Auditory Prompts Decision Tree for each type of auditory prompt.

Keywords: Severe disabilities, auditory prompting, auditory prompts decision tree

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0472

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 51-54, 2009

Authors: Verdugo, M.A. | Martín-Ingelmo, R. | Jordán de Urríes, F.B. | Vicent, C. | Sánchez, M.C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Supported employment in many European countries is spreading somewhat slowly, with specific nationwide programs being required to enable significant progress in integrating people with disabilities and other limitations into the ordinary labor market. This article describes the Caja Madrid SE Program, deployed throughout every province in Spain, for people with disabilities and people who experience social exclusion. We set out the characteristics of the program, the profile of those taking part, and the results achieved in terms of employment between 2005 and 2007. Finally, we include the results of the research related to the participants' quality of life and self-determination.

Keywords: Supported employment, disability, quality of life, self-determination, research, financial help/aid

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0473

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 55-64, 2009

Authors: Verdugo, M.A. | Jordán de Urríes, F.B. | Vicent, C.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Multicomponent Evaluation System of Supported Employment Programs "MESSEP", from the Spanish acronym Sistema de Evaluación Multicomponente de Programas de Empleo Con Apoyo "SEMECA", has been developed as a practical tool using qualitative and quantitative approaches to evaluate all the features of any supported employment initiative. This article shows all of its components, which has been originally developed or adapted to address relevant information from all the participants, comparing data with national and international references and standards. The MESSEP provides different reports from each toll and a final executive report integrating information of each tool. The final objective is to …facilitate the decision making for managers and professionals in a supported employment service. The usability and capacity of the MESSEP has been checked in a real context. Show more

Keywords: Supported employment, program evaluation, quantitative techniques, qualitative techniques, quality standards

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2009-0474

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 65-72, 2009