The Process and Experiences of Self-Employment Among People With Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Ashley ◽  
Noreen M. Graf
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Business Development ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Self-employment and business ownership may provide viable options toward overcoming employment disparities for people with disabilities. This qualitative study explored the process and experience of self-employment among people with disabilities. An online survey yielded responses from 18 individuals who were engaged in various self-employment endeavors. The researchers identified three main categories: reasons for self-employment, the process of becoming self-employed, and the challenges encountered. The majority of participants revealed negative and/or unhelpful interactions with vocational rehabilitation counselors. In addition, this study solicited advice from participants for vocational rehabilitation counselors and other persons with disabilities contemplating self-employment. Finally, recommendations for vocational rehabilitation practice, business development training, and education are provided.

A Qualitative Analysis of the Potential for Collaboration between Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies and Small Business Developers

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Colling ◽  
Nancy Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Small Business ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Economic Trend ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Business Development ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Small Business Development ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Rehabilitation Agency

Self-employment is a significant economic trend. For a variety of reasons, self-employment may be particularly salient to people with disabilities. For a person working with a vocational rehabilitation agency, collaboration with a business consultant is an important component of the business development process to help insure success. However, quite often this step is not included in the process or is overlooked. This article reports on a qualitative study conducted to learn about collaborative efforts between Vocational Rehabilitation and business consultants such as Small Business Development Centers, and to assess the potential for strengthening resources available for persons with disabilities who wish to pursue entrepreneurship. Focus groups were conducted using knowledgeable and experienced participants from both service entities, as well as people with disabilities who are self-employed. Analysis of these data is presented, along with recommendations based upon the findings and the empirical literature on professional collaboration.

“It’s Awful When We Get It Wrong”: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors’ Perspectives on Suicide

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 551-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Lund ◽  
Jared C. Schultz ◽  
Katie B. Thomas ◽  
Michael R. Nadorff ◽  
Dalia Chowdhury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Suicide Training ◽  
And Training ◽  
Do So

Despite the high prevalence of suicide among people with disabilities, little research has explored suicide in the context of the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system. We analyzed the responses of 27 VR counselors who responded to an open-ended qualitative prompt regarding their experiences with suicide training and competency. Key themes included a desire for more training on suicide and the experience of seeking and receiving suicide training and experience outside of VR. Responses also underscored the heavy emotional impact of working with suicidal clients, especially when one feels unprepared to do so. These results suggest that it is important to provide VR counselors with resources and training for addressing suicide in their client populations.

Working for Yourself: How People with Disabilities Choose Self-employment

2000 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 30-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Palmer ◽  
Kay Schriner ◽  
Yvette Getch ◽  
Douglas Main
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Self Employment

Self-employment is an increasingly popular choice among all Americans, including individuals with disabilities. In this article, we report the results of a qualitative study of four persons with disabilities who are self-employed. We describe the characteristics of successful self-employment as these individuals define it, conditions that led to their choosing self-employment, and contextual factors that were associated with their decision making.

Experience, Knowledge, and Perceived Comfort and Clinical Competency in Working With Suicidal Clients Among Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Lund ◽  
Jared C. Schultz ◽  
Michael R. Nadorff ◽  
Kate Galbraith ◽  
Katie B. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Competency ◽  
Suicide Assessment ◽  
Core Skills ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Published Research

Despite the well-documented elevated rates of suicidality among people with disabilities, no published research has examined rehabilitation counselors’ experiences or perceived competency in suicide assessment or intervention. In the present study, we surveyed 223 vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors from state VR offices in eight states regarding their experiences with, knowledge of, and perceived comfort with and competency in suicide assessment and intervention. Almost a quarter of participants worked with suicidal clients once a month or more, with more than half reporting working with suicidal clients at least once a year. Two thirds of participants reported having received some training related to suicide, and participants demonstrated both a good knowledge of suicide myths and facts, and a willingness to work with suicidal clients. However, most participants did not perceive themselves as being competent in core skills related to suicide assessment and intervention. These results suggest that more clinical training in suicide assessment and intervention is needed for VR counselors.

The Rehabilitation Problems and needs of the Spinal-Cord Injured: A Pilot Study

1976 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Felice ◽  
John E. Muthard ◽  
Laurie S. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Spinal Cord Injured

The findings of a pilot study of spinal-cord injury in Florida covering three topics are reported: 1) the incidence of spinal-cord injury in Florida, 2) the experiences of spinal-cord injured (SCI) persons and vocational rehabilitation counselors and their perceptions of the adequacy of their community's treatment and rehabilitation services for the SCI, and 3) the availability of facilities, equipment, and personnel for the care of SCI individuals in Florida. Recent developments in care for the SCI in Florida are discussed.

Disability and the Asian Culture

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenny K. Yan ◽  
Michael P. Accordino ◽  
Daniel L. Boutin ◽  
Keith B. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Pacific Islander ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Asian Culture ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Asian Pacific Islander ◽  
Asian Descent ◽  
Asian Pacific ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Pacific Islander Population

Contemporary demographics reveal that the Asian Population is the fastest growing minority in the U.S. Thus, vocational rehabilitation counselors must be prepared to face cultural dynamics that can influence outcomes in the treatment process. While many people may view Asians as a homogenous population, people who are of Asian descent come from many places including, but not limited to Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, Vietnam and Asian/Pacific Islander population. The present study provides information about the Asian culture relative to people with disabilities and seeks to give clinicians more tools to apply when working with people who are of Asian descent. Asians represent 4.8% of the civilian non-institutionalized population. Since the Asian/Pacific Islander population is a large racial ethnic group in the U.S., it is important to understand how vocational rehabilitation counselors educate them to live in their new land.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors’ Experiences with and Knowledge of Non-suicidal Self-Injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Emily M. Lund ◽  
Jared C. Schultz ◽  
Michael R. Nadorff ◽  
Katie B. Thomas ◽  
Dalia Chowdhury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors ◽  
Knowledge Questionnaire ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Training And Support

This study examined experiences with and knowledge of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among a multistate sample of 253 vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors. Over 90% of counselors reported working with clients who had expressed thoughts or behaviors related to NSSI, and over 20% reported doing so once a month or more. Only 44.7% reported having received training on NSSI. Scores on a brief NSSI knowledge questionnaire demonstrated generally accurate responses but also some gaps in knowledge. These findings indicate that rehabilitation counselors in public VR settings frequently work with clients who display thoughts and behaviors related to NSSI and may benefit from training and support in this area.

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