This study investigated whether sheltered workshops help prepare individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for competitive employment within the community. Two groups of individuals were compared: (a) 215 supported employees who were in sheltered workshops prior to entering supported employment and (b) 215 supported employees who were not in…

This study explored the effect of utilizing natural supports strategies on the cost of supported employment in the state of Wisconsin. Data presented here suggest that the use of natural supports reduced annual per capita costs by 57.6%. Further, supported employees trained via natural supports generated cumulative costs of $5,063 over 6.04 fiscal…

Evaluation of pricing practices of sheltered workshops in Australia indicated that most workshops undercharge for their services with the consequence that they are unable to pay realistic wages to disabled employees. (Author/DB)

Evaluation of the effect of three conditions (reinforcement, self-monitoring, and self-monitoring plus reinforcement) on the productivity rates of three mentally retarded adults employed in a sheltered workshop indicated that reinforcement was most effective when combined with self-monitoring. (Author/DB)

The project addressed the discrepancy between research (documenting the vocational potential of severely handicapped adults) and current services (which include an expanding national program of nonvocational day activity centers) with five coordinated components designed to improve, implement, and evaluate vocational services. The first component,…

Benefits and costs of supported and transitional employment services are compared with those of adult day care and traditional sheltered workshops (including work activity centers) for the severely disabled. Evidence indicates that all forms of employment (supported, transitional, and sheltered) are more productive and less costly than adult day…

Case study data are presented from two programs designed to teach mentally retarded adults to answer the telephone, transfer calls, and relay telephone messages in a workshop setting. (DB)

Data from surveys of 2,071 facilities providing vocational services to adults with developmental disabilities were used to analyze: employment placement patterns in sheltered, supported, competitive, or transitional settings; employment retention rates; occupational categories; rehabilitation costs; integration with nondisabled coworkers; effects…

A social skills training program using self-instruction to facilitate the acquisition and generalization of two social behaviors in the work setting effectively increased the percentages of occurrence of target behaviors for five mentally retarded employees working in a sheltered workshop. The training generalized across work settings. (Author/CB)

This project attempted to develop competitive employment opportunities for people with mental retardation with Greater Cincinnati (Ohio) businesses and industries. The Employment Initiatives Project was designed for persons with mental retardation, functioning in the moderate to severe range, who are located in either an adult work activity or…

This study evaluated an HIV/AIDS education program provided to 31 employees of a sheltered workshop for persons with developmental disabilities. A survey of sexual activity supported the need for such a program. Comparison of pretest and posttest scores on an AIDS Risk Knowledge Test revealed an increase in knowledge that was related to the…

The study investigated the effects of a self-instructional training package on the on-task behavior of four adults with mental retardation employed in a sheltered workshop. On-task behavior increased substantially across all subjects following the training and the behavior generalized from the training setting to the actual work environment.…

The special employment program in Yooralla Society of Victoria (Australia) began operation two decades ago with establishment of sheltered workshops. As part of an overall review of Yooralla's programs, a survey was conducted as a first stage in evaluation of the workshops--Ability Industries and Ability Press. The aim of the research project was…

A 6-month study was conducted of Illinois job training, rehabilitation, and vocational education programs serving handicapped persons by the Illinois Vocational Education Task Force. From a list sent to 225 vocational and special education directors, Comprehensive Employment and Training Act prime sponsors, and rehabilitation services officers,…

Twenty mentally retarded individuals placed in competitive employment were compared to a matched group in sheltered workshop settings concerning their quality of life. The competitively employed individuals experienced greater advancement; improved hand strength and weight control; and increased community participation, social vocational skills,…