Perceptions of the obstacles to work reintegration for persons with aphasia

Work after stroke: focusing on barriers and enablers

“…Stroke survivors and partners in the focus groups saw their impairments as barriers to work. However, impairments were generally seen as just one element within a complex constellation of factors that act and interact to influence work reintegration (Garcia et al, 2000) Stroke survivors' journeys towards work begin with their earliest post-stroke experiences, which usually involve the rehabilitation system. Our focus groups saw this system as creating immediate barriers to work by being inadequate at all stages: too little, for too short a time, and (sometimes) too late.…”

“…One focus group study has shown that such factors may interact with the person's impairments to create barriers to employment (Garcia et al, 2000). Research into employment and disabled people suggests that attitudes of doctors, rehabilitation and social care professionals, transport and access to the workplace are also influential.…”

“…Factors people with aphasia say influence their return to work include availability of alternative jobs, working patterns and conditions, attitudes of employers and family members, and availability of education/training (Rolland & Berlin, 1993;Jordan & Kaiser, 1996;Parr et al, 1997;Garcia et al, 2000). One focus group study has shown that such factors may interact with the person's impairments to create barriers to employment (Garcia et al, 2000).…”

Psychosocial Aspects of Aphasia: Whose Perspectives?

“…For example, Penn and Jones [2000] have developed a system for exploring the communicative demands of different workplaces. Garcia et al [2000] describe an adaptation of the WHO model ICIDH-2 [Fougeyrollas et al, 1997] to take account of disabling environments. They apply the Handicap Creation Process Model to an analysis of the difficulties faced by people with aphasia who wish to return to work.…”

“…Some recent initiatives seek to: provide training for interactants and conversation partners [Kagan, 1998]; address family problems and interactions [Rogers et al, 1999]; explore access to employment [Garcia et al, 2000;Penn and Jones, 2000]; develop culture-and language-appropriate interventions [Baker, 2000]; deliver and evaluate counselling [Ireland and Wotton, 1996]; use group dynamics [Elman, 1999]; address barriers and issues of identity ; develop partnerships in research with aphasic people [Parr et al, work in progress]; support self-help and self-advocacy [Penman, 1998]; access community support and promote participation [Lyon, 2000]. While such endeavours need to be rigorously evaluated, they may be seen as effectively 'turning the healthcare crisis into an opportunity' [Simmons-Mackie, 2000].…”