PURPOSE:This study investigated the extent to which demographic characteristics, receipt of Social Security benefits, and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services influence competitive employment outcomes for people with Parkinson's Disease who were unemployed at the time they enrolled in the state-federal Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. METHOD:The Rehabilitation Services Administration's Case Service Report (RSA-911) database for Fiscal Year 2014 was examined using a purposeful selection logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Results indicated that participants who received on-the-job support (both short-term and long-term), job placement, maintenance, and college or university tuition assistance from the VR program were significantly more likely to achieve competitive employment than were participants who did not receive those services. Participants who received assessment services were less likely to achieve competitive employment than were those who did not receive assessment services. In addition, receiving a greater number of VR services over a shorter period of time and not receiving Social Security disability benefits were positively associated with competitive employment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Overall, the number and type of VR services received had more influence on competitive employment outcomes than did client demographic variables.

PurposeTo explore exercise experiences and beliefs related to barriers among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).MethodsSeventy-four participants were recruited from a hospital, an independent living center, and online support groups. The Exercise Experiences and Spinal Cord Injury (EESCI) instrument included three scales to assess beliefs and experiences related to exercise participation.ResultsOur study found 80% of participants do not currently engage in competitive exercise or sports, however 48.6% do participate in noncompetitive sports. Most participants found it difficult to gather up motivation and allocate time to exercise. Also, 52% of participants who visited fitness centers reported no availability of accessible exercise equipment and access for wheelchair users. T-tests and ANOVA analyses were conducted to compare group means between demographic variables. Results indicated the perceived barriers among persons with SCI regarding lack of personal resources/finances, beliefs about fitness center accessibility regarding equipment, and perceived negative attitudes held by fitness center employees and customers.ConclusionRecommendations regarding how rehabilitation counselors can best work with clients on these issues including advocacy, counseling strategies, and future research directions are discussed.