Assistive Technology Access and Usage Barriers Among African Americans With Disabilities: A Review of the Literature and Policy

The purpose of this article was to provide a comprehensive overview of the available peer-reviewed and gray literature on assistive technology (AT) access and usage barriers among African Americans with disabilities. Authors completed a historical review (Onwuegbuzie & Frels, 2016) of the extant literature on AT and disability public policy mandates by framing the context on AT access and usage disparities among African Americans with disabilities and discussing AT impacts on employment for African Americans. The authors also presented recommendations that might be considered by the field for increasing AT access and usage among African Americans with disabilities. It is clear that AT and associated assistive products are important commodities to the lives of individuals with disabilities in the United States; however, there are historical inequities between African Americans and Whites. As a result of these findings, the authors implore rehabilitation counselors in education and practice to further examine ways to alleviate the AT access and usage gaps for African Americans with disabilities within public policy, vocational rehabilitation service delivery, and institutional infrastructure systems.

A Vocational Rehabilitation Intervention Framework for People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

This article presents the Illinois Work and Well-Being Model (IW2M) as a framework that can be applied to facilitate vocational rehabilitation interventions for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The model encompasses the interaction of contextual and career development domains to improve participation in the areas of work, society, community, and home. A discussion of the model's implications regarding vocational rehabilitation service and research is offered, with the overall goal of reinforcing career development as the foundation of vocational rehabilitation services for people with RA and other emerging age-related disabling conditions.

Developing vocational rehabilitation services for people with long-term neurological conditions: Identifying facilitators and barriers to service provision

Introduction This study aimed to understand existing vocational rehabilitation service provision in one locality in London (population 3.74 million), identify any gaps and explore reasons for this, to support service development. Method Using soft systems methodology to guide the research process, semi-structured interviews were completed with nine participants, who were clinicians and managers providing vocational rehabilitation within a National Health Service context. Data were analysed thematically to build a ‘rich picture’ and develop a conceptual model of vocational rehabilitation service delivery. Findings were then ratified with participants at an engagement event. Results The findings indicate a spectrum of vocational rehabilitation service provision for long-term neurological conditions with differing levels of funding in place. Vocational rehabilitation often takes place ‘under the radar’ and therefore the true vocational rehabilitation needs of this population, and the extent of service provision, is not known. There is inconsistency of understanding across the services as to what constitutes vocational rehabilitation and outcomes are not routinely measured. Conclusion For vocational rehabilitation services to develop they require appropriate funding, driven by government policy to commissioners. Clear definitions of vocational rehabilitation, collecting and sharing outcome data and effective communication across services are needed at a local level. This is expressed in a conceptual model of vocational rehabilitation service delivery.

Validating Vocational Rehabilitation-Service-Related Stress Scale (VRSS) for Vocational Rehabilitation Service Providers in Japan

The purpose of this study was to validate the Vocational Rehabilitation-Service-Related Stress Scale (VRSS) with a sample of 429 vocational rehabilitation (VR) service personnel in Japan. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to determine the structure of the VRSS, and confirmatory factor analysis showed that the four-factor model had a good model fit. The internal consistency reliability of the VRSS, as measured by Cronbach's alpha, was .90. Results indicated that the VRSS is a valid and reliable measure that can be used to examine occupational stress in VR personnel. Work-related stress and quality assurance issues that pertain to the delivery of VR services are discussed.