Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation - Volume 59, issue 2

Authors: Lu, Weili | Oursler, Janice | Gao, Ni | Herrick, Samantha | Mariani, Jake | Diviney, Jason | Socha, Crystal | Beninato, John

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Work-related soft skills can be an important factor for successful employment outcomes, particularly for individuals with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: This study conducted two focus groups with stakeholders for two state Rehabilitation Councils to identify the needs of specific work-related soft skills for employment success of transition age youth with disabilities. METHODS: 30 participants including 10 individuals with disabilities, 5 family members of individuals with disabilities, 5 disability service providers, 9 disability advocates and 1 unidentified, completed two focus groups to identify a list of soft skills by importance for transition age youth with disabilities to succeed …at work. RESULTS: Focus group participants reported that communication skills (face to face communication and emails to coworkers, customers, and employers), conflict resolution skills, advocacy skills, and professionalism are the most important soft skills for transition age youth with disabilities to be successful at work. CONCLUSION: Findings indicated soft skills are critical to work success for transition age youth with disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation providers should teach these critical soft skills when serving transition age youth with disabilities. Show more

Keywords: Soft skills, work, youth, disabilities, State Rehabilitation Council, qualitative

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230033

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 123-137, 2023

Authors: Shahin, Saeideh | Ryan, Mallory | DiRezze, Briano | Ahmed, Sara | Anaby, Dana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Assessing workplace participation of people with disability using measures that can inform practice is vital. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of the Youth and young-adult Participation and Environment Measure’s (Y-PEM) Workplace Participation domain. METHOD: Four focus groups were conducted with 11 stakeholders from different employment-related settings. Open-ended questions regarding Y-PEM’s interpretation, meaning and relevance, drawing on elements of clinical utility, were used. Data were analyzed by two investigators using inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Stakeholders’ experience in providing/receiving employment services varied (1– 16 years). Three themes emerged. The Y-PEM captures multiple factors in …employment transition; it generates insights and sparks conversations to better appreciate and support individuals’ transitioning to employment. Y-PEM meets the need for tools to guide services of transitioning to employment as it is comprehensive in assessing participation and the environment, can provide a “snapshot” of where the young person is at in their transition, and serves different purposes. The tool provides a “piece of the pie ” within this complex process and could be used in conjunction with other tools. CONCLUSION: Y-PEM was perceived as essential, comprehensive, and appropriate for use in clinical and employment-related service contexts to inform practice, and guide stakeholders’ decision-making in facilitating transitioning to employment. Show more

Keywords: Workplace participation, outcome measure, transition-aged, employment-related service providers

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230032

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 139-152, 2023

Authors: Griffiths, Amy Jane | Hurley-Hanson, Amy E. | Giannantonio, Cristina M. | Hyde, Kaleigh | Linstead, Erik | Wiegand, Rachel | Brady, John

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The employment rates of autistic young adults continue to be significantly lower than that of their neurotypical peers. OBJECTIVE: Researchers in this study sought to identify the barriers and facilitators associated with these individuals’ transition into the workforce to better understand how educators and stakeholders can support students’ post-secondary career plans. METHODS: Investigators used a classification tree analysis with a sample of 236 caregivers of autistic individuals, who completed an online survey. RESULTS: The analysis identified critical factors in predicting successful employment for respondents 21 years and under and those over 21 years …old. These factors included: difficulties in the job search process, challenges with relationships at work, resources used, job maintenance, motivation to work, and the application process. CONCLUSION: These findings represent the first use of machine learning to identify pivotal points on the path to employment for autistic individuals. This information will better prepare school-based professionals and other stakeholders to support their students in attaining and maintaining employment, a critical aspect of achieving fulfillment and independence. Future research should consider the perspectives of other stakeholders, autistic individuals and employers, and apply the findings to the development of interventions. Show more

Keywords: Autism, disabilities, youth, transition, employment, classification trees

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230034

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 153-168, 2023

Authors: Jacob, Udeme Samuel | Pillay, Jace

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are still a lot of countries that do not provide employment opportunities to people with intellectual disability (ID). Ten years after the UN passed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it is important to review existing studies on the employment of individuals with intellectual disabilities. OBJECTIVE: In this study, researchers reviewed studies that examined the employment of people with intellectual disability. METHOD: A thorough search of various bibliographic databases identified 1005 academic papers. Ten studies on the employment of persons with intellectual disabilities met the criteria for in-depth analysis. …RESULTS: Employment is vital for individuals with intellectual disability, but predetermined employment options and parent-related factors may limit their access to the labour market. Efforts must be made to ensure a seamless progression from school to work. Lack of support makes bridging the gap between individual capacity and societal demands challenging. For people with intellectual disability to increase employment opportunities, stakeholders must work together. CONCLUSION: An intervention to support and follow up on older employees with intellectual disability will be greatly appreciated. Show more

Keywords: Employment, intellectual disability, job placement, sheltered employment

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230035

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 169-181, 2023

Authors: Traxler, Haily K. | Silverman, Kenneth | Koffarnus, Mikhail

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The evidence-based Therapeutic Workplace (TWP) is a promising employment-based treatment where access to work is contingent on objective evidence of abstinence from drugs. TWP is sometimes criticized for requiring individuals who use drugs to voluntarily enroll in a program requiring urine drug testing. OBJECTIVE: This experiment was conducted to assess whether urine drug testing as a condition of employment decreases the value of employment opportunities and to what degree. METHODS: Participants were unemployed, DSM-IV opioid-dependent, and enrolled in TWP. Participants completed discounting tasks assessing preference for a hypothetical job paying a constant wage that did …not require urine drug testing and a job that paid a variable wage but required drug testing. The primary outcome was ‘job value’ operationalized as percentage wage difference to accept a job requiring urine drug testing. RESULTS: Percent wage difference to accept a job that required urine testing was analyzed using GEE. Results revealed a significant main effect of recent drug use (χ2 (1) = 10.07, p  < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Most participants were willing to accept a urine drug-testing job across wages similar non-drug testing jobs. Participants reporting recent cocaine or heroin use were less likely to choose urine drug-testing employment. Show more

Keywords: Contingency management, therapeutic workplace, discounting, opioid use disorder, cocaine, heroin

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230036

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 183-190, 2023

Authors: Castruita Rios, Yazmin | Lee, Beatrice | Umucu, Emre | Estala-Gutiérrez, Veronica | Kim, Jaeyoung | Tansey, Timothy

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Prior research has examined the associations between demographic variables and employment outcomes in transition-age youth with disabilities, yet little is known about the supports and services that provide pathways to employment among transition-age Hispanic youth with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to identify variables associated with employment for transition-age Hispanic youth VR participants. Among them, demographic factors, barriers to employment, services associated with exiting in competitive integrated employment and associated weekly earnings. METHODS: We used descriptive analysis to examine the demographic characteristics of the study’s sample. Variables were then dichotomized, except for …age at application, to be analyzed via logistic regression and a stepwise forward regression analysis was performed to assess the association between different levels of independent variables and selected dependent variables. RESULTS: Findings were consistent with previous findings examining the relationships between sociodemographic variables, vocational rehabilitation (VR) related variables, and employment outcomes in transition-age youth with disabilities. Our findings revealed that there are several positive and negative sociodemographic and VR-related variables associated with employment and weekly earnings for transition-age Hispanic youth VR participants. CONCLUSION: Besides supporting transition-age Hispanic youth with disabilities, understanding familial perspectives and needs would also be critical in facilitating a successful employment experience. Show more

Keywords: Transition-age youth, Hispanic, employment outcomes, disabilities, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230037

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 191-206, 2023

Authors: Kearney, Kelly | Torres, Ayse | Quezada, Saurym

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Job seekers must know how to determine whether the jobs identified during a search are a good fit. Employment decision making requires problem-solving and choice-making skills. There is limited research on employment decision making skills. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to teach three young adults with dually diagnosed visual impairment and intellectual/developmental disability to determine appropriate job fit. The mnemonic “ELSE” was paired with remote audio coaching to teach the participants how to determine if the education level, likes, skills, and earnings of each presented job were an appropriate fit for them. METHODS: …This study used a single subject design to determine the effectiveness of the multicomponent intervention. The design was a multiple baseline across participant design. RESULTS: The results demonstrated all three participants were able to reach a pre-determined mastery criterion of the skill. Maintenance and generalization were variable across participants. CONCLUSIONS: All participants who received the intervention increased their ability to determine appropriate job fit. The results from this study are promising and demonstrate the potential and flexibility of the mnemonic ELSE on determining appropriate job fit by young adults with VI and IDD. Show more

Keywords: Employment, visual impairment, intellectual/developmental disability, remote audio coaching, mnemonic

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230038

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 207-220, 2023

Authors: Soeker, Mogammad Shaheed | Abbas, Iesrafeel | Karachi, Farhana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia often experience major limitations in returning to work despite participating in rehabilitation programs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether individuals who were diagnosed with schizophrenia experienced improved return to work rates, quality of life and self-efficacy beliefs after participating in an intervention program that utilizes the Model of Occupational Self-Efficacy (MOOSE). METHOD: Nine (n  = 9) individuals who were diagnosed with schizophrenia participated in the study. The research study specifically utilized a pre- and post-intervention research design. In order to gather data from the participants, …the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire and Self-Efficacy Questionnaires were used to determine whether the individual living with schizophrenia’s quality of life and self-efficacy beliefs improved after participating in a vocational rehabilitation program. RESULTS: All participants in this study presented with an improvement in Return-to-Work Rates, Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Quality of Life scores. The results of the study revealed a 100% return to work rate, a statistically significant effect of the intervention (i.e., MOOSE) on Self-Efficacy beliefs, measured using the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, F (1, 8) = 6.606, p  = 0.03.*. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicated that MOOSE is a useful model to facilitate the return to work of individuals living with schizophrenia. It is also suggested that cognitive rehabilitative activities, life skills and work skills training in a real work environment be included as part of the vocational rehabilitation program. Show more

Keywords: Rehabilitation, occupation, occupational therapy, return to work, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-230039

Citation: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 221-231, 2023