This annual report (fiscal year 1991) summarizes information on mandated federal activities of the Rehabilitation Services Administration and related agencies under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The report is organized following the titles and sections of the Act. Under the Act's General Provisions are activities of the Office of the…

This paper describes the planning of a qualitative research methodology to develop strategies to improve and expand social interaction skills of deaf-blind students in supported employment settings. Characteristics of qualitative research are delineated and include: definition of the domain of the research; an evolving study design; behavior…

The compendium presents a view of 70 programs participating in the Illinois supported employment initiative. A preliminary chapter analyzes the implementation of supported employment in Illinois. It provides a brief history of the Illinois supported employment initiative, describes the Illinois Supported Employment Project, examines the impact of…

Three papers are presented on the benefits and costs of providing supported employment programs in Illinois for persons with disabilities. An introductory section, by Ronald W. Conley, explains the need for and use of cost-benefit analysis, the population in need of supported employment, and some methodological considerations. The three papers…

This study used case closure data to investigate the demographic and disability characteristics, service, and outcomes of 36,497 consumers who are blind or visually impaired served in state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs. By contrasting key measures reported by separate blindness agencies and general agencies, findings indicate:…

Discusses the misguided emphasis on job placement as a final outcome in supported employment and the need for long-term services and retraining to enable individuals with disabilities to change careers. Proposed alternatives to current job placement strategies that will help foster career development are identified. (CR)

This study describes the use of self-management procedures to improve the productivity of two women with mild mental retardation who worked in restaurants. Substantial improvements were observed as a function of treatment, and the procedures were deemed acceptable by the participants, their coworkers, and their supervisors. (Author/CR)

Data from 13 supported employment programs and 680 employees with developmental disabilities show little or no increase in wages or hours outcomes for people in jobs acquired in the late 1990s compared to the early 1990s. There are, however, improvements in the typical features of job acquisition, roles, and orientation. (Contains references.) (CR)

This article describes a summer work experience program for seven blind rural high school students in Ohio, consisting of two weeks of work evaluation/adjustment and eight weeks of paid work experience using job coaches. Results indicated success in improving participants' understanding of work-related issues in general. (Author/PB)

Existing models of supported employment (individual placement, mobile crew, enclave, and benchwork models) have limited utility in rural areas. The Black Hills Special Services Cooperative (Sturgis, South Dakota) developed an entrepreneurial model that addresses the lack of rural employers and transportation problems by creating new businesses…

Twenty-four adults with mental retardation were assigned to a supported work program and were compared with 25 control subjects receiving conventional workshop services. Clients assigned to supportive work did significantly better in the competitive labor market than did clients in extended sheltered employment. (Author/JDD)

An intellectually handicapped man was studied in a workshop where he was employed to "detip" ear tags. Productive behavior was reinforced on either a variable ratio (VR) schedule or a variable duration (VD) schedule. Results indicated lower time on task and higher detipping rates under the VR schedule. (Author/PB)

Employees in rural Utah businesses were taught to provide on-the-job training to mildly disabled trainees. Over a two-year period, disabled workers taught by co-worker trainers had greater job retention and employer satisfaction; they required less time from placement specialists than disabled workers without co-worker support. (SV)

Provides an overview of supported employment programs for disabled individuals in rural areas. Describes a successful program in rural southeastern Ohio that employs 89 developmentally disabled persons in a countywide recycling program. Suggests methods for developing supported employment programs in rural areas. (LP)

Interviews with 34 persons with developmental disabilities in supported employment indicated that the majority liked their jobs, were satisfied with the help that their job coach had provided, had a voice in choosing their job, would rather work in the community than attend a workshop, and reported having friends at work. (Author/JDD)