Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 34, issue 1

Authors: Hall, Allison Cohen | Freeze, Suzzanne | Butterworth, John | Hoff, David

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Funding is a central tool for improving the quality and range of employment service options. While outcome-based funding models are more common in the Vocational Rehabilitation system, there is a need for funding structures in intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) service systems that signal a clear preference for high-quality, cost-effective integrated employment outcomes. In an environment of increasing fiscal demands and limitations, and expansion of self-directed services and individualized budgeting, state IDD systems must engage in rate-setting and funding discussions that are rooted in their priorities and long-term goals. This paper explores rate-setting methodologies, rate structures, and incentives for integrated …employment, and the relationship between funding, policies, and priorities. A detailed analysis within five states yields lessons for other state IDD systems as they contend with evolving funding structures that respond to fiscal pressures and demands. Implications include the need for funding to be seamless, goal-focused, and connected to and consistent with larger systems strategies. Show more

Keywords: Integrated employment, funding, intellectual/developmental disabilities

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0529

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 1-15, 2011

Authors: Hartnett, Helen P. | Stuart, Heather | Thurman, Hanna | Loy, Beth | Batiste, Linda Carter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Despite the legal mandates of the ADA, people with disabilities continue to be underrepresented in the workforce. While there does exist an established body of research devoted to the hiring of individuals with disabilities, information on retaining individuals with disabilities in the workplace has not been reflected as often in the critical discourse devoted to disability and employment practices. This article analyzes data from an ongoing study conducted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a service of ODEP (Department of Labor 1004062R), showing that employers benefited from hiring, retaining, and accommodating individuals with disabilities. Benefits derived by employers include the …ability to retain quality employees, increased company profitability, and an avoidance of costs associated with hiring and training a new employee. In addition to these benefits, providing accommodations in order to retain employees is shown to improve organizational culture and climate, as well as fostering a sense among all employees that employers recognize both the value of the individual worker as a human being, and the inherent social benefits of creating and sustaining an inclusive workplace. Show more

Keywords: Disabilities, employment, accommodation benefits, social service practice and disabilities

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0530

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 17-23, 2011

Authors: Morgan, Robert L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Job matching has been defined as an assessment of individual characteristics in relation to job requirements. The purpose of this study was to assess the inter-rater reliability of a job matching assessment instrument designed for young adults with disabilities. Participants included 21 young adults with intellectual disabilities. Post-high school teachers and job coaches served as raters. The young adult participants first identified 2–3 preferred jobs. Five pairs of raters completed the job matching assessment to identify the job that was best matched to the participant's current characteristics. Ratings were based on 106 O* NET job dimensions related to knowledge, skill, …and ability. Findings indicated relatively high inter-rater agreement. However, across job dimensions, data indicated high variability with disagreements apparent for particular ones (e.g., Knowledge of English Language, Safety Awareness Skill). Findings are discussed in relation to the importance of identifying preferred, well-matched jobs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Show more

Keywords: Job matching, job preference, web-based job assistance and accommodations, occupational information network (O*NET), inter-rater reliability, job dimensions, index score differences, extreme ratings

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0531

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 25-33, 2011

Authors: Doren, Bonnie | Gau, Jeff M. | Lindstrom, Lauren

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of the current study was to examine wage differentials based on gender over a six year post-school period and potential moderators of differential outcomes based on gender. The study included data on 521 participants of a statewide school to work program who had wage data within the state employment database. Results based on mixed effects models indicated that males with disabilities achieved significantly higher starting wages than females and this wage gap remained consistent across the study period. Moderators by gender indicated that graduating high school with a diploma and successful closure from Vocational Rehabilitation were significantly related …to higher initial wages for males with disabilities but not females. Results are discussed in the context of related findings suggesting that females do not obtain the same returns as males with disabilities from common benchmarks of success. Show more

Keywords: Gender, disabilities, post-school transition, employment, wages

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0532

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 35-42, 2011

Authors: Lombardi, Allison R. | Murray, Christopher

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Today, more students with disabilities attend four year institutions, but may struggle to succeed within these settings. University faculty attitudes and practices contribute to the success or failure of students in these postsecondary settings. In this study, we developed, administered, and evaluated a measure of faculty attitudes and perceptions toward students with disabilities. Results from 289 faculty members indicated that responses loaded on eight reliable factors pertaining to (a) Fairness in Providing Accommodations, (b) Knowledge of Disability Law, (c) Adjustment of Course Assignments and Requirements, (d) Minimizing Barriers, (e) Campus Resources, (f) Willingness to Invest Time, (g) Accessibility of Course …Materials, and (h) Performance Expectations. Group comparisons by faculty gender, rank, college/school, and prior disability-focused training indicated more positive attitudes toward providing accommodations and adopting Universal Design principles among faculty who are female, nontenured, housed within the College of Education, or had prior disability-focused training experiences. These findings suggest that faculty attitudes and perceptions toward disability and their willingness to accommodate and adopt Universal Design principles can be reliably assessed. The potential usefulness of such assessments for practices within postsecondary environments are discussed. Show more

Keywords: College students with disabilities, university faculty, faculty attitudes, accommodations in higher education, Universal Design, postsecondary education

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0533

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 43-56, 2011

Authors: Groomes, Darlene A.G. | Kampfe, Charlene M. | Mapuranga, Raymond

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Over the past ten years, much attention has been given to data that show racial minority groups are not served or underserved by state rehabilitation agencies despite increasing vocational rehabilitation acceptance rates. As larger numbers of individuals from current racial minority groups seek rehabilitation services, it becomes important to conceptualize how an individual's internal resources may respond to services that, as research supports, greatly affect one's quality of life. This study examines the relationship between race and acceptance of disability using Wright's theoretical conceptualization of acceptance of loss. One hundred thirty-two persons with disabilities were surveyed regarding their levels of …acceptance of disability using Linkowski's [24] Acceptance of Disability Scale. Our findings indicate that there were no differences between European Americans and African Americans on acceptance of disability in terms of their overall (based on total scale scores) and composite (based on subscale scores) endorsement of the scale; however, there were a few differences based on the individual item scores. Implications for practice and research are discussed. Show more

Keywords: Disability, race/ethnicity, adaptation, acceptance, vocational rehabilitation, equity

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2010-0534

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 57-65, 2011