A national survey in which 42 state/territorial systems responded found that a total of 74,960 individuals participated in supported employment in 1991 with 62.8% of participants classified as mentally retarded of which 30.4% were moderately retarded and 8.7% severely or profoundly retarded. The individual placement model was most common. A…

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,…

This longitudinal study examined satisfaction with supported employment jobs and services with 32 disabled individuals receiving services between 1992 and 1997. Analysis of interview data indicates participants were consistently satisfied with both their chosen supported employment jobs (including the work, friendships made, and money earned) and…

This paper describes a customer-driven approach to supported employment in which people with disabilities are able to exert choice and control. Best practices in supported employment are reviewed and contrasted with practices presently operating. Specific information on how a customer can select a supported employment provider (renamed a community…

This study examined current practices and perceptions of 345 supported-employment-provider agencies regarding extended services. Findings indicate that provider agencies were underutilizing natural support networks within consumers' workplaces for essential extended-support needs and that the majority of consumers were only receiving the minimal…

A study of 98 Iowa businesses found significantly more positive perceptions of supported employment by employers who had hired supported employees than those who had not. Large businesses were found to have more positive perceptions than small businesses. Extra training/supervision demands and lack of skills were cited as concerns. (Author/CR)

Two hundred adults with mild mental retardation were assessed on overall job satisfaction and self-esteem. Subjects worked either in a sheltered workshop or a supported employment setting. Subjects who worked in supported employment reported significantly higher levels of job satisfaction and self-esteem. Subjects living in semi-independent…

This article describes a "paid co-worker support" model which enables individuals with multiple disabilities (including severe mental retardation) to maintain competitive employment. A job coach trained two workers with severe disabilities in job skills, and a paid co-worker in support skills; both workers successfully maintained…

The family adjustment of parents (N=117) of young adults with mental retardation to their son/daughter's initial entry into supported employment was evaluated using the Resiliency Model of Family Stress Adjustment and Adaptation as an analytical framework. Results indicated that family strength dimensions are related to family adaptation and that…

Three adults with developmental disabilities in supported-employment settings were successfully taught self-management strategies for addressing hygiene issues. The intervention included: a checklist with steps necessary to address particular hygiene issues, modeling the steps to each participant, providing praise and feedback, and teaching the…

This article discusses the role of supported employment specialists, professionals who help identify, coordinate, and/or provide individualize employment and related services to person with the most significant disabilities. Recruitment of employment specialists, hiring considerations, and selection criteria are discussed. Sample interview…

Reports findings from a national survey of 385 day support providers regarding conversion of resources from segregated services to supported employment. Approximately 23% of all agencies and 37% of agencies with both facility-based programs and supported employment indicate that they had converted resources to community-based employment.…

A case study of a 26-year-old woman with severe mental retardation, who was incontinent during each of the three scheduled breaktimes in a sheltered workshop, found that the problem was completely eliminated by providing her with attention while she helped a staff member complete routine breaktime activities. (Author/CR)

A study involving four adults with disabilities examined effects of presenting motion video stimuli as job choice response options in single and paired-choice formats. All participants expressed preferences using the motion video by differentially responding to the job videos. In the paired presentation, participants were more discriminating in…

A self-evaluation training package consisting of goal-setting, self-monitoring, and self-evaluation of work productivity was implemented with four adult males with developmental disabilities enrolled in a community-based restaurant program. Each trainee's work productivity improved for each task as a function of the self-evaluation training…