Predictors of competitive employment among persons with physical and sensory disabilities: An evidence-based model

Abstract

Persons with physical and sensory disabilities continue to face difficulty securing and maintaining employment. Despite all of the efforts of individuals providing assistance to job seekers, family members, friends and colleagues, the employment deficit of people with disabilities has remained nearly static for years. This study examined factors salient to the attainment of competitive employment among people with physical and sensory disabilities served by the state-federal rehabilitation system. Employing a series of logistic regression analyses measured against national rehabilitation data, the results support the need for provision of job placement services to improve potential for competitive employment. Predictors of competitive employment, job placement service provision implications, the need for vocational evaluation and appropriate planning are discussed. An evidence-based service model designed to address the predictors of competitive employment among persons with physical and sensory disabilities is presented.

Successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities: A proposed conceptual model.

“…Most studies concluded that higher education is associated with positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities (Burke-Miller et al, 2006; Dutta et al, 2008; Grigal et al, 2011; Jans et al, 2012; Kaptein et al, 2009; O’Neill et al, 2017; Ohl et al, 2017; Pack & Szirony, 2009). Evidence to the contrary (Ameri et al, 2018) may be attributable to people with work-limiting disabilities becoming overeducated if their disability is associated with a decline in capacity to undertake occupational responsibilities (Jones et al, 2014).…”

“…The accessibility of vocational-rehabilitation services is a significant predictor of successful employment outcomes (Alverson & Yamamoto, 2018). Employment is more likely when people with disabilities have access to government funding for services such as vocational-rehabilitation counseling, assistance in job search and placement, rehabilitation technology, and on-the-job support (Gonzalez et al, 2011; Pack & Szirony, 2009; Tucker & Degeneffe, 2017).…”

Impact sourcing for employment of persons with disabilities

“…Regarding the securing of competitiveness, a common strength in all three cases is that proper PWDs training methods and operation systems were established and introduced in the workplace. The effect of such supported employment has been widely reported in the literature (Bond, 2004; Pack and Szirony, 2009). In terms of growth in work volume, Vindhya e-Infomedia cites its constant efforts to contract various types of jobs through its variety of service menus, and AMBA attempts to strengthen its relationship with potential clients to negotiate outsourcing volume quota.…”

Person-Centred Rehabilitation Counselling: Revisiting the Legacy of Carl Rogers

“…Bolton et al argued that since there was 'little variability for these services, there was little potential for predicting any type of vocational outcome ' (p. 14). However, in another major study with a large national US sample, Pack and Szirony (2009) reported that receipt of vocational rehabilitation counselling was associated with vocational outcome. Contrary to the trend observed by Bolton et al, only 54% of Pack and Szirony's sample received vocational rehabilitation counselling and guidance, which suggests that too few clients received counselling.…”

“…On the other hand, rehabilitation counsellors and/or clients may have perceived that counselling was not required, or placed less importance on counselling than on job placement services. Rehabilitation counsellors are perhaps divided on this issue (Pack & Szirony, 2009) and the extent to which they integrate practical vocational services with counselling for personal adjustment and psychosocial issues (Dutta et al, 2008;Mullins et al, 1997).…”