The field of developmental disabilities is as multi-faceted, varied and intricate as anything imaginable. Most of the author's management and professional experience has centered on vocational opportunities and supported employment for people with significant disabilities. The author shares some thoughts and experiences about supporting people in…

This article presents findings on community-based nonwork (CBNW; activities that do not involve paid employment but take place in the community) from a 2001 survey of state intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities agency directors. Survey responses indicated that CBNW is a considerable and growing part of the day services mix but that…

Preparing people with disabilities for employment is an important task. Many individuals have difficulty learning and performing employment skills without support or guidance. This article describes how literacy-based behavioral interventions (LBBIs), instructional interventions that use print or pictures as an instructional medium, can help…

The book describes federal training and employment resources for developmentally disabled persons. The first section provides a brief historical background of the federal government's involvement in employment and training beginning with the 1930's up to the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section II examines seven…

The article briefly describes Project Employability, a job training and placement program for the developmentally disabled in Virginia, and presents three case studies to illustrate the project's job placement process. (Author/DLS)

This paper describes a successful model of supported employment developed by a single small agency previously providing services as a segregated day activity center. Included is discussion of the service agency, program methodology, barriers to successful community-based employment, manner in which barriers were overcome, program outcomes, and…

This pilot study demonstrates the applicability of the job club concept for adults with developmental disabilities who have completed a vocational training program at Chicago City-Wide College (CCC). The pilot project, which served 26 students, operated in a business-like atmosphere with rules such as those found in workplaces. The job club…

The current status of state mental retardation/developmental disability agency information systems related to day and employment programs for persons with disabilities is described. Data regarding the number and characteristics of persons served in various day-employment programs and the funding sources are summarized. Suggestions regarding data…

Four interdisciplinary programs for the developmentally disabled are described: (1) a paraprofessional degree training program; (2) supported employment for institutionalized adults; (3) a service/research program in the area of communication technology and training for nonspeaking persons; and (4) a communication skills program for persons who…

This project studied the feasibility of implementing nonsheltered supported employment programs for Idaho's moderately to severely developmentally disabled adults. The project researched, developed, and implemented a community-based vocational training model; studied its compatibility with existing delivery systems; identified areas for change;…

Based on the experiences of a job training demonstration project in five hospitals, the handbook describes a rationale and approach for using hospitals (rather than sheltered workshops) as job training sites for mentally and physically disabled persons. Part I reviews advantages for the hospital, the disabled person and his family, the…