Personal digital assistants (PDAs) are versatile task organizers that hold promise as assistive technologies for people with cognitive-behavioral challenges. This delayed randomized controlled trial compared two groups of adult workers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to determine whether the use of an Apple iPod Touch PDA as a vocational…

The paper describes the results of a three-year job placement project for moderately and severely handicapped individuals which developed a training and advocacy approach to placement that involved client training by staff at the job site. A 63-percent retention rate for employees and substantial earnings are reported. (Author/CL)

The paper addresses the issues involved in helping severely developmentally disabled individuals become placed in competitive employment. Based on the placement experiences of Project Employability, factors in job selection and in working with employers are described. (Author)

The article briefly describes Project Employability, a job training and placement program for the developmentally disabled in Virginia, and presents three case studies to illustrate the project's job placement process. (Author/DLS)

A supported work model has helped 167 persons with mild and moderate mental retardation maintain subsidized competitive employment for a 6-year period. The model features structured placement, job-site training by staff, and ongoing follow-along support. Policy implications of such an approach question traditional placement in sheltered workshops…

Analysis of the employment histories and functional characteristics of 1,411 individuals involved in supported employment programs in 8 states found less than 8 percent had severe or profound disabilities. Further research and demonstration activities and modification of federal and state supported employment policies are recommended. (Author/DB)

Described is an individual-placement supported-employment program for persons with traumatic brain injury. A referral pool of 32 persons is analyzed in terms of demographics, neuropsychological test performance, occupational history, occupational status, etc. Also described are program procedures, data management systems, and the role of…

An analysis of employment outcomes of 109 persons (mean age 28) with severe/profound mental retardation from over 90 local community programs indicated that 93 percent were competitively employed, with the mean wage being $3.63 per hour and mean hours of weekly employment being 22. Twelve months after placement, 81.5 percent of clients were still…

Assesses the employment status of mentally retarded young adults. Results indicated that the total unemployment rate was 58 percent, almost three-fourths of those who were employed earned less than $500 per month, most individuals had never used professional job placement services, and those who were employed had obtained their jobs through family…

The authors advocate a supported work approach for disabled youth which features four components: (1) job placement, (2) job site training and advocacy, (3) ongoing assessment, and (4) follow-along and transition. Logistical considerations of such an approach in the public schools are explored, including transportation, community-referenced…

Key concepts in designing an individualized plan for transition include interagency cooperation and outcome-oriented plans. Examples of two mentally retarded workers illustrate the benefits of a supported work approach. (CL)

The costs incurred and tax monies saved through the successful implementation of an ongoing job training and placement program for moderately and severely handicapped workers were analyzed. The total direct financial benefit to taxpayers for four years is $90,376. The clients' cumulative earnings were over $500,000. (Author/SEW)

Provides an in-depth look at two young women (ages 18 and 22) with severe mental retardation who obtained competitive employment with support from their families, employment specialist, and coworkers while attending public school. The process and design of such employment supports are described. (Author/CR)

Major ongoing supported employment studies conducted at the Rehabilitation Research Training Center at Virginia Commonwealth University are profiled in this newsletter. The training center involves individuals with disabilities in the design, implementation, and interpretation of the research. The first research study examined the opinions of 110…

Five adults with severe traumatic brain injury, unable to gain or maintain jobs, were individually placed in competitive supported employment. Wages ranged from $4.25 to $5.00 per hour with an average of 339 hours of employment specialist intervention time required per case. Long-term job retention results were disappointing. (Author/JDD)