As autistic individuals grow into adulthood, they are much more likely to experience a need for employment-related skills, with research on these skills lacking relative to child-focused research. Accordingly, this dissertation examined existing literature on employment-related skill development and based on community consultation, developed…

Graduates who have disabilities experience difficulty finding their first job after completing college. The transition-age period of 18 to 30 is a stage of life when receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) support is critical to increase chances of graduates with disabilities towards competitive employment and earnings. Current literature suggest…

This piece examines the Writing Studies job market from a perspective not addressed in previous literature: accessibility. I draw on work in the field of disability studies to argue that accessibility does not only affect those people who identify as having a disability; rather, it is a concept that speaks to how well all candidates are able to…

There are an increasing number of students with disabilities who are graduating from postsecondary institutions. Finding a job is a concern for these graduates because graduates with disabilities face many barriers when looking for a job. In this study we asked 16 English-speaking postsecondary graduates with disabilities who were employed how…

The transition from school to adulthood is a pivotal time in the lives of all students. For a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), change of any kind can be challenging, and a transition as momentous as this can seem especially daunting. Thoughtful planning, sound information, and open communication will help parents support young adults…

This article describes the approach implemented by one university to mitigate typical barriers encountered by college students with disabilities when attempting to find post-graduation employment. The unique vocational program offered is reinforced by the successful employment outcomes and case studies discussed in this review. Over a span of five…

For those living with a chronic disability and, due to it, have been out of work for some time, but are now ready to take that giant leap into the job market, it will come as no surprise that they face some formidable obstacles--two of the largest being their disability and the economy. For those individuals with disabilities who want to land a…

In rural areas, transition planning for young adults with disabilities presents considerable challenges, including linkage to employment upon completion of special education services. Two assessment programs, described in this article, work in concert to assist transition teachers and youth with disabilities in rural areas and include: (a)…

Research conducted within Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996) and Workforce Investment Act of 1998 systems indicates pervasive issues hindering program effectiveness for job seekers with disabilities. This population frequently experiences employment barriers beyond those…

A pretest-posttest control group experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of EnvisionIT, a 10-unit web-based curriculum designed to teach secondary students information technology (IT) skills in the context of transition-planning activities. Fifteen high schools were stratified by socioeconomic status and randomly assigned to the…

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)

A three-day workshop designed for career counselors assists them in understanding the perspective of work candidates with disabilities and helping to resolve perceptual differences that may inhibit the candidates' job search. (Author/JOW)

Provides background on the job club process and how it can be used for integrated training of special needs and regular education students in need of job search assistance. Includes field test project information. (JOW)

Career counselors and job search coaches must be prepared to assist disabled clients as this sector of the labor market increases. As the work force ages, there are greater numbers of workers dealing with disabilities and serious health problems. Sadly, individuals with disabilities often approach the job search process with misconceptions,…

Compares traditional job search procedures with alternative approach called the Job Club. Briefly reviews literature that compares employment rates of individuals undergoing traditional job search and Job Club counseling. Discusses ways in which counselors can implement Job Clubs with handicapped students in secondary settings.(NB)