Purpose: Coworkers' positive attitudes toward working with people with disabilities is vital for the successful and long-term employment of people with disabilities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the organizational factors associated with working with individuals with disabilities. Method: This was accomplished by sampling…

Policymakers, researchers, and state vocational rehabilitation administrators share an interest in the long-term outcomes of individuals participating in the public state vocational rehabilitation program. Yet, there is limited research in the area of job retention or the service delivery practices used to support individuals with disabilities to…

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…

At the 2016 TASH Conference in St. Louis, a research colloquium was held that focused on the state of selected life-span services for people with severe disabilities. Topics addressed by leading experts in the field included inclusion, teaching academic skills, family support, challenging behavior, supported employment, and voting. This article…

This paper presents findings from a retrospective observational records review study that compares the outcomes associated with implementation of supported employment (SE) with and without prior Project SEARCH with ASD Supports (PS-ASD) on wages earned, time spent in intervention, and job retention. Results suggest that SE resulted in competitive…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of supported employment intervention on the employment outcomes of transition-age youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities served by the public vocational rehabilitation system using a case-control study design. Data for this study were extracted from the Rehabilitation Services…

This study investigated whether sheltered workshops help prepare individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for competitive employment within the community. Two groups of individuals were compared: (a) 215 supported employees who were in sheltered workshops prior to entering supported employment and (b) 215 supported employees who were not in…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of supported employment in securing and maintaining competitive employment for people with autism spectrum disorder, a group that has typically been found to be underemployed or unemployed. This prospective study followed and collected data on 33 individuals with autism spectrum disorder as they…

This article is a review of the long-term follow-up study of competitively employed individuals with significant developmental disabilities by Brown, Shiraga, and Kessler (2006). In this report, 50 people with developmental disabilities were followed for 20 years and their work histories carefully chronicled. Notably, all of these individuals were…

Professionals who work with young adults will get hard-to-find information on how specific social, behavioral, and cognitive characteristics of people with autism affect the transition to adulthood, exploring potential challenges and traits that can be powerful assets. Compelling stories throughout this book illustrate how successful transition…

Case studies of three adults with spinal cord injury illustrate the role of assistive technology, employment specialists, and types of workplace supports needed to enable them to secure and maintain employment. Employment specialists are able to analyze accommodation needs and help employers understand them. (SK)

Summarizes the major achievements of the supported employment initiative for individuals with mental retardation and other significant disabilities from 1986 through 1993. Focus is on the number of program participants, consumer characteristics, reduced dependence on Social Security income maintenance, participant earnings, and program…

Defines and discusses 10 program-development, research, and policy-analysis needs that are crucial for the continued success of the supported-employment program for individuals with disabilities. These include the following: consumer choice and self-determination, meaningful employment outcomes, employer needs and perceptions, natural supports,…

Challenges to supported employment programs for people with disabilities include conversion of day programs to integrated work options, expansion of program capacity, the need to ensure consumer choice and self-determination, and the achievement of meaningful employment outcomes. Specific recommendations are offered for each challenge. (Author/DB)

Analysis of the employment histories and functional characteristics of 1,411 individuals involved in supported employment programs in 8 states found less than 8 percent had severe or profound disabilities. Further research and demonstration activities and modification of federal and state supported employment policies are recommended. (Author/DB)