The purpose of this policy and practice brief is to provide readers with a resource for planning outreach to transition-aged youth, their parents, and the service providers who work with them (i.e., the authors' "target group"). The authors will first provide a summary of the laws governing how three key agencies--school districts, state…

One of the essential services in rehabilitation centers is offered in the prevocational unit. This unit explores the client's abilities through specific activities in a variety of work experiences directed toward evaluating the client's vocational potentialities. The six major objectives of such a unit are described and organization and program…

The authors discuss a sequential vocational rehabilitation procedure (the Crux Model) for using evaluation data to determine appropriate vocational hypotheses and for involving the handicapped client in the rehabilitation planning process. (CL)

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, together with the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, set in motion policy changes that have allowed many thousands of children and youth with disabilities in the United States the opportunity to gain the educational and vocational skills needed to transition to living, working, and participating as…

This topical newsletter focuses on ways to convert segregated day programs for people with disabilities into community integrated employment programs. Individual sections cover: common "conversion" myths and appropriate responses; a national status report on conversion; Florida's innovative use of the Medicaid waiver to fund conversion;…

The Comprehensive Plan for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) in New York State contains both long-range goals and short-term actions for the next 20 years with a series of specific actions proposed for the current 3-year (1985-87) period. The first chapter provides program background with sections on OVR'S mission, recent trends in…

This report by the Planning Commission culminates 2 years of public hearings and the investigations of 10 task forces on vocational rehabilitation. A broader definition of the disabled, one which includes the disadvantaged, is gaining acceptance, resulting in the need for expanded rehabilitation programs. This study provides the necessary…

The authors discuss how the existing vocational rehabilitation systems can be more effective in job placement. (SBH)

This survey compared and contrasted the aims, resources, programs, and effectiveness of 40 British organizations involved in the training of people with disabilities in new technology skills. Findings included training concentrated on information technology-related occupations rather than other technology aspects; training was predominantly…

This document includes reports of three research studies concerning the process of providing supported employment services to persons with disabilities. An introductory chapter by Frank Rusch et al. describes the Illinois Supported Employment Project, noting its target population and its technical assistance and program evaluation services. In…

The report describes the planning and implementation of a 12 month longitudinal approach to establishing linkages between agencies serving the vocational needs of handicapped persons in New Jersey. Plans called for a statewide workshop with regional leaders followed by regional workshops with local leaders. Planning steps included selection of…

Data on people with disabilities can be used to confirm service needs and to evaluate the resulting impact of services. Disability statistics from surveys and administrative records can play a meaningful role in such efforts. In this article, the authors describe the array of available data and statistics and their potential uses in rehabilitation…

The article is based on the report of the Massachusetts Vocational Rehabilitation Planning Commission. (JM)

Discusses major potential trends in rehabilitation (identified through informal interviews with 94 individuals representing various organizations, progessions, or programs) e.g., services for the severely handicapped, return to the vocational emphasis, increased interagency cooperation, and consumer involvement. Modification of programs as a…

The Navajo Vocational Rehabilitation Program was the first vocational rehabilitation program operated by an American Indian tribe. Described are development of the program and its service to Indian people with disabilities, focusing on fiscal and program stability, tribal/community support, coordination with other tribal programs, and…