Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 42, issue 1

Authors: Hemmeter, Jeffrey | Donovan, Mark | Cobb, Joyanne | Asbury, Tad

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The Bridges from School to Work (Bridges) program provides job placement and supports for youth with disabilities. Operating in nine sites across the country, over 18,000 youth have received job placement services through Bridges. OBJECTIVE: The paper presents long-term outcomes of youth who participate in the study to determine if previously documented short-term outcomes continue into adulthood. METHODS: We examine the earnings of Bridges participants up to age 30. We present longitudinal statistics on the earnings and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) program participation of youth placed by Bridges into a job. A comparison …with similarly aged youths receiving SSI who did not participate in Bridges is also made. RESULTS: At age 30, almost three quarters of youth placed by Bridges have earnings. We also find that SSI participation declines through age 30 and DI participation increases. Among placed youth who received SSI at the time of Bridges enrollment, half have earnings at age 30 and less than half received SSI payments; however, over one quarter receive DI benefits. CONCLUSIONS: Bridges participation potentially helps create a higher earnings capacity for participants; however, more research is necessary to establish a causal effect. Show more

Keywords: Transition, employment outcomes, Supplemental Security Income, school-to-work, youth

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140719

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 1-15, 2015

Authors: Honeycutt, Todd | Thompkins, Allison | Bardos, Maura | Stern, Steven

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies play a critical role in helping transition-age youth with disabilities attain their vocational goals, though there is insufficient knowledge about how agencies serve this population. OBJECTIVE: The study examines the extent to which states' transition-age youth with disabilities apply for VR services, receive services, and are employed at case closure. METHODS: The analysis included five ratios for each state VR agency reflecting their involvement with transition-age youth at distinct stages, using data from the RSA-911 Case Service Report and other sources to identify a cohort of individuals who applied between 2004 and 2006. RESULTS: …The percentage of a state's transition-age youth population that applied for VR services ranged from 4 to 14 percent, the percentage of applicants who received VR services ranged from 31 to 82 percent, and the percentage of youth who received services and closed with an employment outcome ranged from 40 to 70 percent. Several agency- and state-level factors were correlated with these ratios. CONCLUSIONS: The wide variation in transition statistics suggests that policymakers could improve VR services for transition-age youth by developing specific standards and guidelines for VR agencies serving this population, though this study points out several limitations and challenges with such an approach. Show more

Keywords: Youth with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation agencies, transition

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140721

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 17-30, 2015

Authors: van Velzen, Judith M. | van Bennekom, Coen A.M. | Sluiter, Judith K. | Frings-Dresen, Monique H.W.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are indications that specialist vocational rehabilitation is beneficial when trying to return to work after acquired brain injury (ABI). OBJECTIVE: To give a description of the Early Vocational Rehabilitation (EVR) protocol and its development in order to make it available for implementation in rehabilitation institutes to strengthen the appearance of these institutes as relevant partners and supporters during the process of (sustaining) return to work of people with ABI. METHODS: The Early Vocational Rehabilitation (EVR) protocol is a process guideline to facilitate the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to systematically focus on return to work during an early stage of …(inpatient or outpatient) rehabilitation of people with ABI. The development was expert based. RESULTS: The EVR protocol consists of four stages: 1) orientation of the rehabilitation team towards the patient's work; 2) investigating the gap between the patient's abilities and work; 3) work training; and 4) finalizing EVR. Cooperation among all relevant partners from inside or outside the rehabilitation institute is important for maximally adapting the EVR treatment to the individual (work) situation of the person with ABI. CONCLUSION: The EVR protocol is available for implementation in other rehabilitation institutes. Performing a context analysis for each new context in which it is implemented is recommended. Show more

Keywords: Acquired brain injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, return to work, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140725

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 31-40, 2015

Authors: McDonnall, Michele Capella | Crudden, Adele | O'Mally, Jamie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Negative employer attitudes are often identified as the biggest challenge to employment faced by people who are blind or visually impaired, yet limited research has been conducted in this area. Little is known about the factors that predict employer attitudes toward this population. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between employer attitudes toward blind and visually impaired people as employees and knowledge about how they can perform specific job tasks (i.e., utilizing job accommodations/assistive technology) in a multivariate model. METHODS: Employers in four states completed a telephone survey that included instruments to measure …attitudes and knowledge. The sample came from two sources: a randomly identified list of employers in the four states and employer contacts of vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies in two of the states. Data for the multiple regression analyses was available from 181 employers. RESULTS: Three variables significantly predicted employer attitudes: having hired someone who was blind or visually impaired, having communicated with the state VR agency, and knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the importance of VR agency personnel having meaningful interactions with employers. Two potential focus areas of these interactions are increasing knowledge about job accommodations that can enable blind or visually impaired people to perform necessary job tasks and on-the-job training experiences. Show more

Keywords: Employer attitudes, blindness, visual impairment, job accommodations

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140722

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 41-50, 2015

Authors: Povenmire-Kirk, Tiana | Diegelmann, Karen | Crump, Kim | Schnorr, Crystalyn | Test, David | Flowers, Claudia | Aspel, Nellie

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Transition planning services for students with disabilities are mandated by IDEA 2004, but getting all the right folks to the table to plan for this transition is difficult to accomplish. OBJECTIVE: CIRCLES is a new model for interagency collaboration in transition planning. It includes three levels of teams, working together to identify specific post-school goals for students with disabilities, and developing a series of steps to help each student achieve them. METHODS: This study utilized focus groups of key members of the different levels of teams involved to identify successes and challenges in the first year of implementation of …this new model. RESULTS: The CIRCLES model of service delivery improved agency members' sense of collaboration and awareness of services available in their districts. CONCLUSIONS: Although more research is needed, CIRCLES as a service delivery model increases interagency collaboration for transition planning for students with disabilities. Show more

Keywords: Transition, transition planning, youth with disabilities, interagency collaboration

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140723

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 51-65, 2015

Authors: Holtyn, August F. | DeFulio, Anthony | Silverman, Kenneth

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The strong association between unemployment and drug addiction suggests that employment interventions are an important and needed focus of drug-addiction treatment. The increasing necessity of possessing basic academic skills to function in the workplace may require that some individuals receive educational training along with vocational training. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the academic skills of drug-addicted and chronically-unemployed adults (N = 559) who were enrolled in one of six studies conducted at the Center for Learning and Health in Baltimore, MD. METHODS: Upon study enrollment, academic skills in math, spelling, and reading were examined using the Wide Range Achievement Test …(WRAT-3 or WRAT-4) and educational history was examined using the Addiction Severity Index–Lite. RESULTS: Although participants completed an average of 11 years of education, actual academic skill level was at or below the seventh grade level for 81% of participants in math, 61% in spelling, and 43% in reading, and most participants were classified as Low Average or below based on age group norms. Despite the fact that participants in this analysis were studied across several years and were from diverse populations, rates of high school completion and academic skill levels were remarkably similar. CONCLUSIONS: Programs designed to improve the long-term employment status of drug-addicted individuals may benefit from the inclusion of basic adult education; future research on the topic is needed. Although establishing basic skills does not directly address chronic unemployment, it may help individuals obtain the jobs they desire and function effectively in those jobs. Show more

Keywords: Academic skills, vocational training, employment, education, poverty, drug addiction, Therapeutic Workplace

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140724

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 67-74, 2015

Authors: Cheng, Andy S.K. | Chiu, Frank P.F. | Fung, Manfred S.M. | Au, Raymond W.C.

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Before 1993, vocational rehabilitation services in Hong Kong mainly adopted a prevocational training approach at the outset, before placing people with disabilities in competitive employment. In order to improve outcomes, particularly the rates of employment and job retention, supported employment (SE) was introduced and later endorsed by the Rehabilitation Development Coordinating Committee in 1995. OBJECTIVE: SE is a vocational rehabilitation method based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. It promotes high levels of integration with the clinical team to help people with disabilities obtain and maintain community-based competitive employment in their chosen occupation. METHODS: This paper presents …a review of literature on supported employment services for people with mental disabilities in Hong Kong and the growth since its development. RESULTS: Results of local studies provide evidence that SE, although originally developed in the United States, is generalizable to Hong Kong. CONCLUSION: This article describes the development of SE in Hong Kong and the challenges of implementing it in a local context. Finally, it presents ideas for the future direction of SE in Hong Kong. Show more

Keywords: Mental disabilities, supported employment, Hong Kong, constraints, future direction

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140718

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 75-83, 2015

Authors: Inge, Katherine J. | Cimera, Robert E. | Revell, William G. | Wehman, Paul H. | Seward, Hannah E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Employment for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) varies by demographic, educational, and preinjury occupational characteristics. Individuals with SCI also face a number of physical and structural barriers to returning to work postinjury. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services through the use of the federal and state vocational rehabilitation programs is one option for obtaining the needed supports that lead to successful competitive employment outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This information is for those individuals with SCI whose cases were closed by VR in one of the four case closure codes: Status 08, Status 28, Status 30, or Status 26. The intent of this …research is to profile participation, services received, and outcomes achieved by individuals with SCI who were participants in State Vocational Rehabilitation programs. METHODS: Using the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration's (RSA) 911-database, individuals with a primary physical disability of spinal cord injury who had their cases closed in Federal Fiscal Years 2011–2013 (n = 9,205) were selected to understand general demographic, education, SSI/SDI, and reasons for case closure information. More detailed analyses of data of services received, employment outcomes, and costs for individuals for whom an Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) also were completed. RESULTS: Nationally, state VR agencies reported closing 3,217 cases in FY 2011, 3,098 cases in FY 2012, and 2,890 cases in FY 2013 in the four case closure codes: Status 08, Status 28, Status 30, and Status 26. Status 26 closure represents those cases closed successfully. In this study, 991 individuals with SCI were closed in Status 26 during FY 2011, 972 in FY 2012, and 936 in FY 2013. The majority of cases closed successfully were for individuals who were white/Caucasian, and rates were slightly higher for individuals with an associate's degree or more. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study are consistent with previous findings on the demographic characteristics of individuals with SCI and return to work. More research is needed on the relationship between certain demographic characteristics and successful employment postinjury, the impact of rehabilitation technology services on successful case closures, the types of jobs that individuals with SCI obtain, and what makes state VR programs in some areas more successful than others. Show more

Keywords: Spinal cord injury, SCI, employment, return to work, Vocational Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Services Administration

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140726

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 85-96, 2015

Article Type: Correction

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-140720

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 97-97, 2015