scholarly journals Good fences make good neighbors: Collaborating with families to create employment opportunity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Bethany Chase
Keyword(s):  
Parent Involvement ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Supported Employment ◽  
Employment Opportunity ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Employment Success ◽  
Job Match ◽  
Employment Supports ◽  
Job Coaches ◽  
Employment Specialists

BACKGROUND: Collaboration between supported employment providers and parents/guardians of job seekers with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities is key to employment success. However, parents are often concerned about the efficacy of employment supports or the capacity of the professionals providing the service. Likewise, job coaches may consider certain kinds of parent involvement as detrimental to a successful job match. OBJECTIVE: This article provides context for why parents/guardians may be distrustful of the employment process, as well as why employment specialists may struggle to build strong partnerships with parents/guardians. METHODS: This article will discuss how to implement practices that not only welcome the critical input of families, but also maintain healthy and well-defined boundaries that affirm the autonomy, professionalism, and competence of the worker.

Building an Evidence-Based, Holistic Approach to Advancing Integrated Employment

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Cohen Hall ◽  
John Butterworth ◽  
Jean Winsor ◽  
John Kramer ◽  
Kelly Nye-Lengerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Supported Employment ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Integrated Employment ◽  
Policy And Strategy ◽  
Employment Supports ◽  
Substantial Investment ◽  
Services And Supports

Since the introduction of supported employment in the Developmental Disabilities Act of 1984 and the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1986, there has been continued development and refinement of best practices in employment services and supports. Progress includes creative outcomes for individuals with significant support needs including customized jobs and self-employment, community rehabilitation providers that have shifted emphasis to integrated employment, and states that have made a substantial investment in Employment First policy and strategy. Despite these achievements, the promise of integrated employment remains elusive for the majority of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The number of individuals supported in integrated employment by state agencies has remained stagnant for the past 15 years, participation in nonwork services has grown rapidly, and individual employment supports have not been implemented with fidelity. This article presents preliminary findings from activities completed by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Advancing Employment for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and discusses a framework for organizing state and federal investments in research, practice, and systems change.

Strategies for Developing Work Experiences for Youth With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 259-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holly N. Whittenburg ◽  
Katie A. Sims ◽  
Paul Wehman ◽  
Christine Walther-Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Supported Employment ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
School Work ◽  
Employment Success ◽  
Business Partners ◽  
Effective Relationships ◽  
Special Education Transition

High school work experience is a predictor of postsecondary employment success for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Developing integrated work experiences often requires schools to partner with local businesses; yet, secondary special education transition teams may not have prior experience or preparation in this type of transition work. Drawing on supported employment research, this article provides transition specialists and secondary special educators with practical strategies for identifying and engaging with potential local business partners and creating networking opportunities that build effective relationships.

The Role of Community Rehabilitation Providers in Employment for Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Results of the 2010–2011 National Survey

2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 215-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daria Domin ◽  
John Butterworth
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Supported Employment ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Employment Services ◽  
Integrated Employment ◽  
Community Rehabilitation ◽  
Employment Supports ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Based on the 2010–2011 National Survey of Community Rehabilitation Providers, findings are presented on people with all disabilities and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are served in employment and nonwork settings by community rehabilitation providers. Findings suggest little change over the past eight years in participation in integrated employment. Overall, 28% of all individuals and 19% of individuals with IDD were reported to receive individual integrated employment services. The results suggest that 15% of individuals with IDD work in individual integrated jobs for pay. Group supported employment continues to play a smaller but significant role in employment supports, with almost 10% of individuals with IDD participating in enclaves or mobile work crews. Data do reflect a decline in participation in facility-based work for individuals with IDD, from 41% to 27.5% and a concurrent growth in participation in nonwork services to 43% of all purchased services.

scholarly journals Tracking metrics that matter for scaling up employment outcomes

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Alberto Migliore ◽  
John Butterworth ◽  
Jeannine Pavlak ◽  
Michael Patrick ◽  
Stephen Aalto
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Continuous Quality Improvement ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Employment Outcomes ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Continuous Quality ◽  
Employment Supports ◽  
Employment Programs ◽  
Improved Methods

BACKGROUND: Supporting employment consultants in their work with job seekers is critical for increasing the employment outcomes of people with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: To better understand how to leverage data for supporting employment consultants, including what metrics to track, what to do with the data, and what can be improved. METHODS: A panel of three directors of employment programs addressed these questions as part of the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) 2020 conference. RESULTS: Most employment service providers collect data for billing and compliance reporting. Innovative providers leverage data for quality improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Tracking metrics designed specifically for monitoring the implementation of effective employment supports is key for leveraging data for continuous quality improvement and thus improving job seekers’ employment outcomes.

Using an iPad job coaching intervention to enhance food preparation skills for individuals with developmental disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Kerri P. Morse ◽  
Charles Dukes ◽  
Michael P. Brady ◽  
Michael Frain ◽  
Mary Lou Duffy
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Supported Employment ◽  
Food Preparation ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Coaching Intervention ◽  
Specific Protocol ◽  
Skill Performance ◽  
Job Coaching ◽  
Employment Programs ◽  
Video Model

BACKGROUND: Technology is portable, affordable, and accessible, making it a viable support option for people with disabilities in the workplace. In the past, many supported employment programs relied on natural and paid job coaching supports with little to no use of technology. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this two-experiment study was to investigate the use of a portable multimedia device to teach seven young adults with developmental disabilities to increase independence and decrease dependence on coaching prompts while performing a food preparation task. METHODS: Participants adhered to an industry specific protocol while using an application on an iPad that provided audio and video prompts. A multiple baseline across participants was used to show effects of the intervention on task performance and reliance on prompts. RESULTS: All participants were able to follow directions delivered to complete tasks accurately, while reducing the need for simultaneous coaching prompts. Maintenance probes were added to Study 2, and for two of three participants, newly acquired skills were maintained for eight weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Results from both studies indicated that using the iPad application to video model tasks was effective in improving and maintaining accurate skill performance, while reducing the need for prompts.

Work performance and support needs analysis of students with intellectual disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Hailee Baer ◽  
Kristen Welker ◽  
Carol Cox
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Work Performance ◽  
School To Work ◽  
Support Needs ◽  
School To Work Transition ◽  
Employment Supports ◽  
Work Transition ◽  
Job Coach ◽  
Students With Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Job Coaches

BACKGROUND: School-to-work transition planning for students with intellectual disabilities should include community-based early work experiences to prepare for possible future integrated employment. Employers have noted job performance levels and appropriate use of supports as important for maintaining employment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess work performance and support needs of students with intellectual disabilities attending a short summer early work experience. METHOD: A small group of secondary-level school students with intellectual disabilities attended a summer-long vocational rehabilitation program where they worked with a job coach at a work setting. Student participants and their job coaches rated their perceptions of the students’ work performance quality and support needs on the Job Observation and Behavior Scale pre-post program. RESULTS: The groups deviated significantly in their pre-assessment and post-assessment ratings. Job coaches and students both reported significant increases in perception of quality of student performance. In addition, job coaches reported students needing significantly less employment supports by program end. Student participants also reported needing less employment supports by program end; however, results were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: When both student and job coach realistically view student work performance and supports needed, the school-to-work transition can be improved.

Natural Supports in the Workplace: A Reexamination of Supported Employment

1988 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Nisbet ◽  
David Hagner
Keyword(s):  
Supported Employment ◽  
Severe Disabilities ◽  
Active Participation ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Natural Supports ◽  
Job Coaches ◽  
Job Sharing

The purpose of this article is to examine some of the basic premises of supported employment initiatives. In particular, the role of agency-sponsored job coaches in supporting employees with severe disabilities in integrated work environments is discussed. A broader concept of supported employment is proposed, based on studies of the supports and informal interactions characteristic of natural work environments. Alternative support options, entitled the Mentor Option, the Training Consultant Option, the Job Sharing Option, and the Attendant Option, which involve the active participation of supervisors and co-workers, are presented with suggestions for implementation.

scholarly journals Toward Competitive Employment for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: What Progress Have We Made and Where Do We Need to Go

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Wehman ◽  
Joshua Taylor ◽  
Valerie Brooke ◽  
Lauren Avellone ◽  
Holly Whittenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Postsecondary Education ◽  
Supported Employment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Competitive Employment ◽  
Integrated Employment ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Workforce Innovation ◽  
Research And Policy

Progress toward competitive integrated employment (CIE) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the last 40 years has been mixed. Despite evidence showing that supported employment interventions can enable adults with IDD to effectively get and keep jobs, national rates of integrated employment remain below a third of the working-age population. Progress is being made to improve these outcomes. Pathways have been identified that lead to CIE through supported employment, customized employment, internship experiences, and postsecondary education. The recent passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) has created fresh momentum and increased the onus on interagency collaboration. This article examines what is known about promoting CIE through these pathways and highlights recommendations for future research and policy change. Recommendations for the future provide direction toward positive change for CIE into the 21st century.

Employment: Renewed Investments

Inclusion ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Mank ◽  
Teresa A. Grossi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Supported Employment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Integrated Employment ◽  
Fair Pay

Abstract Supported employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities emerged in the 1980s, clearly showing the untapped potential of people to work productively in integrated jobs. Expanding across the United States and other countries, supported employment was shown to be an effective approach to employment across communities and cultures. While supported employment has expanded little in the last decade, there is a renewed investment nationwide and in some other countries. The renewed developments include improvements in supported employment methods, interest in funding based on outcomes rather than services, concern about the persistence of segregated workshops, the need for qualified supported employment personnel, investment in Employment First policies in states, the emergence of litigation promoting integrated employment over segregation, renewed investment in transition, investments in other countries, and the increasingly clear voice of self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities calling for community jobs and fair pay. While there is renewed interest in supported employment, threats remain to further improvement and expansion that must also be addressed.

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