Statistical data on unemployment emphasize problems experienced by people with disabilities in seeking work. Advocates changes in public policies, institutional practices, rehabilitation practices, and employer benefits to ensure people with disabilities a share in the prosperity anticipated in view of brighter economic prospects. (Author/KS)

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument, the "Job Seeking Self-Efficacy Scale," to measure perceived self-efficacy in job-seeking activities. The construction of the instrument, which incorporated tasks that have been determined to be important in job seeking for individuals with disabilities, was based on Bandura's theory of…

This study examined factors associated with better employment outcomes for young people with disabilities, especially young women. Factors predicting better outcomes included having two or more job experiences while in high school and having used the self-family-friend network to find their postschool job. Some factors, such as low household…

The Special Education Parents Alliance created an employment project seeking jobs in the business community for special education graduates and other persons with disabilities. The project serves learning disabled, educable mentally handicapped, trainable mentally handicapped, and physically disabled persons in DuPage County and portions of west…

This final report describes Careers On-Line, a model demonstration project that is designed, using the Internet, to provide students with disabilities, career service providers, and employers with up-to-date information on career development, employment, and disabilities. Careers On-Line developed databases on job and internship postings, adaptive…

The Santa Fe Community College Work Exploration Center (Florida) provides work evaluation and placement services to persons who are unable to obtain or maintain suitable employment due to handicapping conditions, undefined or poorly defined vocational training, limited employment skills, and limited knowledge of skills levels. To help maintain…

This trainer's manual is designed to enable trainers to provide information about the use of personal connections in the development of networks leading to employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities. Detailed information is provided for a 2-day workshop that focuses on the importance of using networks, the benefits of using personal…

This book discusses the major challenges of and strategies for a career change. An introduction introduces 10 career changers whose real-life experiences are used throughout the book to illustrate key concepts. They show the wide range of career change situations and strategies for tackling them. Chapter 1 provides a theoretical background to…

Chicago Citywide Colleges (CCC), Columbus (Ohio) Technical Institute (CTI), and the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) recently participated in a model job club project operated by the National Center for Research in Vocational Education. The project sought to demonstrate the utility of job clubs in helping students with disabilities make…

This guide is intended for use in a prevocational class for special needs students. Included in the guide are the following components: an introduction that discusses the content of the curriculum and its use as a main textbook, supplementary material, or element in an individualized education program (IEP); a 12-unit curriculum; answer keys for…

This handbook acquaints special needs students with programs and opportunities available to help them make the transition from school to working. The guide helps students identify their personal strengths, identify goals for the future, determine skills needed to reach those goals, and determine help needed from others. The body of the guide…

This manual for training university professionals, community employers, human resource professionals, and university students was developed by the "Career Connections" project at the University of Minnesota. The project endeavored to enhance the career potential of students with disabilities, educate faculty and staff to work with these…

This report contains summary descriptions of twenty-nine projects which have been implemented during 1978-80 in the state of Washington. By their design, they address the need for vocational equity. The projects received funding from one of several sources including the Washington State Commission for Vocational Education's Research Coordinating…

This three-section guide was created to help people with disabilities in the state of Colorado look for and find employment. Aimed at both potential employees and employers, the guide provides information to help citizens with disabilities to prepare for and represent themselves when seeking employment and to better understand their rights under…

This resource manual is intended to be used by instructors and trainers in both preservice and short-term training as a tool to assist in designing new offerings and redesigning old offerings for work adjustment trainees. Annotations are provided of resources in 19 work adjustment competency areas, including the following: specific marketable…