This study examines the roles of co-workers and job coaches in providing natural supports to a worker with a disability. Review of research related to co-worker involvement in work settings is followed by a proposed framework for a continuum of support strategies for co-workers and job coaches and suggestions for selecting appropriate support…

This study of supported employment's effects on wages earned by Michigan adults with disabilities found that wages increased after entering supported employment, mostly because of higher hourly rates but somewhat because of increased hours of employment and that individual placement had the largest effect on wages whereas participation in mobile…

A telephone survey was conducted of eight rehabilitation organizations pursuing changeover from facility-based to community-integrated services (i.e., supported employment). This paper provides information on the experience of these organizations related to their reinvestment and agency changeover to supported employment and offers…

This article describes how persons with disabilities can be given more control over supported employment services and, thus, their work experiences. Consumer empower issues are examined from various aspects of service delivery (e.g., preferences for training methods) and types of problems. Illustrative case examples show the positive effects of…

A study of co-worker involvement among 264 supported employees found that, of 7 types of involvement, "associating" occurred most often, followed by "evaluating" and "training." Employees in mobile work crews experienced less co-worker involvement than those employed in clustered or individual placements, and more…

The survey of 31 coordinators of supported employment programs for the disabled in Illinois found a high rate of job turnover by employment specialists, with salary identified as the primary reason for the turnover. Individuals hired often did not meet educational qualification standards. (DB)

Thirty studies on supported employment for people with disabilities were evaluated using a proposed Social Validity Matrix. Results suggested further research should investigate alternative strategies for assessing social validity, develop systematic procedures for collecting and using social validity data, and establish functional variables…

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)

This article presents case examples that illustrate strategies for promoting natural job supports for employees with disabilities. Strategies include, among others, collaborating with work-site personnel to develop modifications and providing general consultation on person-environment factors that promote the success of the supported employee and…

Case studies are used to demonstrate several strategies used in the San Francisco Bay area to ensure the inclusion of persons with dual sensory impairments and other multiple disabilities in integrated community employment. Strategies include heterogeneous group placement, job restructuring, use of natural support, volunteerism, and social skills…

A survey administered to 212 co-workers of supported employees with mental retardation found that the co-workers' attitudes concerning supported employees' competence were not significantly affected by contact in the workplace or by the level of mental retardation. The majority of contacts between nondisabled and supported employees concentrated…

The article reports on a survey of 27 states that received major systems change grants from the Rehabilitation Services Administration to convert traditional day activity programs to supported employment for developmentally and other severely disabled persons. Results indicate states are taking a cautious approach toward converting existing…

This paper notes developments in supported employment practices and the manner in which support organizations, employees with disabilities, and companies interact. The paper then reconceptualizes supported employment and the role of employers. The reconceptualized approach involves such techniques as extending support to employer personnel and…

This study explains the methodology of clique analysis and presents a study in which the use of clique analysis demonstrated that an employee with severe disabilities was perceived by co-workers as socially involved in the work setting at levels comparable to others in such areas as greetings and small talk, work-related conversation, and personal…

Data from a national survey of fiscal year 1990 supported employment fiscal activity are presented, and fund source utilization patterns are compared to those from previous years' surveys. Supported employment expenditures grew 19% from 1989 to 1990. Nonvocational rehabilitation funds accounted for two-thirds of total state expenditures for…