Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 33, issue 2

Authors: Agran, Martin | Storey, Keith | Krupp, Michael

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Promoting choice making has become an important focus of disability services and supports and a basic component in service delivery. Although much of the choice making literature has involved demonstrations that individuals with intellectual and severe intellectual disabilities can be taught to make choices, limited research exists on the types of choices individuals make and the extent to which these choices are supported. Further, input about choice making has ostensibly been obtained from service providers or support personnel and not from consumers themselves. This study examines input provided by consumers with varying support needs, served in different types of employment …programs, on the choice-making opportunities they were provided, if their choices were supported, and if they thought choice making was important, among other questions. The implications of the findings are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Choice making, self-determination, intellectual disabilities, employment, informed choices

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0517

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 77-88, 2010

Authors: Krause, James S. | Terza, Joseph V. | Dismuke, Clara E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Our purpose was to identify demographic, injury, educational, and vocational predictors of labor force participation (LFP) after spinal cord injury (SCI) performing secondary analysis of existing data. Labor force participation was defined as gainful employment. We used survey data from 1398 adults one or more years post-injury and under the age of 65 at onset. A two-stage regression model was used to predict two parameters: (a) LFP at some time after SCI onset (post-injury LFP) and (b) current LFP. Just under 55% of the participants reported LFP since the onset of SCI. Several variables were significantly related to each outcome, …including race, gender, ambulation, post-injury bachelor’s degree or higher, and post-injury employment type (management/professional, sales/office). Counselors can use the results to help understand the extent to which characteristics are associated with the probability of successfully participating in the labor force. Show more

Keywords: Spinal cord injury, employment, vocation, rehabilitation, work

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0518

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 89-99, 2010

Authors: Williamson, Robert L. | Robertson, Janna S. | Casey, Laura B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Successful postsecondary employment and furthering one’s education are two areas important to students with disabilities as they exit the public education system. These outcomes represent the results of numerous, interacting variables in each student’s life. For this reason, the study of these interacting variables merit using a more dynamic, systems-based perspective. This perspective allows for the examination of possible correlating characteristics as a system of interdependent variables. This study sought to understand how certain measured, interrelated characteristics of transition may be correlated to successful employment and/or postsecondary education outcomes for students with disabilities using this systems approach. The participants were …high school graduates from a large mid-south school district who were receiving special education services. Results indicated that characteristics related to personal care and independent living, both correlated with successful participation in postsecondary education. No models in this study related to successful postsecondary employment. Differences between outcomes when variables are studied as dynamic entities versus when they are studied in isolation gives additional insight into the transition process and how best to prepare students for postsecondary success. Show more

Keywords: Transition, systems analysis, disability, special education, systems, systems theory, transition outcomes, employment, postsecondary education

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0519

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 101-111, 2010

Authors: Glover, Crystal M. | Corrigan, Patrick | Wilkniss, Sandra

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide further understanding of the influence of multiple categorization on perceptions of discrimination in people with severe mental illness (SMI), including reasons they feel discriminated against (e.g. race) and in what context (e.g. employment). Multiple categorization is defined as simultaneously belonging to race (i.e. Black, White) and gender (i.e. male, female) groups. This paper addresses four questions: 1. How do four subgroups (i.e. Black males, Black females, White males, and White females) of individuals with SMI differentially perceive discrimination? 2.How do these subgroups differentially perceive discrimination as occurring due to various categorizations (i.e. …mental disability/ability, race, and gender)? 3. How do these subgroups differentially perceive being discriminated against in life domains (i.e. employment, education, and housing)? 4. How do these subgroups differentially experience stress related to discrimination in life domains? Six hundred and four individuals with SMI participating in the baseline interview for a study on consumer operated services completed a four-part Discrimination Questionnaire. Analyses indicated multiple categorization (i.e. belonging to different subgroups such as White females) influences feeling discriminated against, attributions of discrimination to various categorizations, and stress related to discrimination in employment. However, findings did not indicate multiple categorization influences discrimination in employment. Show more

Keywords: Racial disparities, discrimination, employment, multiple categorization

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0520

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 113-121, 2010

Authors: Cimera, Robert Evert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study explored the outcomes achieved by 104,213 individuals with intellectual disabilities who were served by state vocational rehabilitation agencies and wished to be enrolled in supported employment. Result found that 62.08% of participants became employed within their community via supported employment and that these individuals, on average, received greater monetary benefits from working (i.e., wages earned) than monetary costs (i.e., taxes paid, forgone wages, reduction in governmental subsidies). Further, this result was found regardless of the number of disabling conditions present and the state in which they received services. However, employment outcomes (i.e., rates of employment, wages earned, hours …worked, and cost efficiency) varied significantly between states. Show more

Keywords: Supported employment, cost-efficiency, worker’s perspective, outcome

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0521

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 123-131, 2010

Authors: Gervey, Robert

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Purpose/objectives: The study aims to confirm the factorial structure of the URICA-Vocational Counseling (URICA-VC), a scale that has been specifically designed for use in vocational rehabilitation programs. Furthermore, the study explores the clinical utility of the URICA-VC readiness construct within a sample of individuals with psychiatric disabilities seeking competitive employment. Research method/design: Using a sample of 296 individuals with psychiatric disabilities pooled from three separate programs, the author examined the construct validity of the scale using factorial structural analysis, discriminative validity and predictive validity tests. Results: The results confirm the URICA-VC three-factor solution. These three factors discriminate between individuals with …varying levels of interest and involvement in vocational rehabilitation services. However, predictive validity is mixed. Conclusion/implications: The use of the URICA-VC for clinical decision-making and research purposes should be carefully considered given the degree of false negatives and positives generated by stage of change categories. Show more

Keywords: Vocational rehabilitation readiness, stages of change, persons with psychiatric disabilities, construct factorial validation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0522

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 133-142, 2010