Although calls to expand integrated employment opportunities have permeated recent legislative and policy initiatives in the United States, substantial numbers of adults with severe disabilities still work in segregated settings. We examined findings from events held in eight communities to solicit the views of parents and other family members (n…

This study examined the percentage of 21,257 supported employees served by 74 state-federal vocational rehabilitation agencies in 2013 who would have earned more wages in sheltered workshops than in the community. It found that the overwhelming majority of supported employees earned more in their communities at all wage comparison points; however,…

Although an important part of adult life, individuals with significant disabilities experience low rates of gainful employment. The purpose of this review was to summarize and analyze the literature on teaching vocational skills to individuals with significant disabilities. Sixty-two articles (with 75 experiments) included in this review were…

Background: Individuals with severe disability exiting school are likely to be enrolled in day activity and sheltered workshops at least as often as in supported employment. Such facilities are often staffed by paraprofessionals who may not have the skills to engage clients in meaningful activities. This article describes a 3-phase staff training…

A survey examined admission barriers, client and disability variables, program content, and levels of school/agency cooperation in adult activity, work activity, and sheltered workshops in a midwestern state which has a representative urban-suburban-rural profile. (Author/SB)

Comparisons of the nature and frequency of the instructional interactions and work-related behavior of 15 workers in nonsheltered vocational environments with 15 in sheltered environments revealed that the workers in sheltered environments engaged in significantly more instructional interactions with supervisors and exhibited significantly fewer…

Concerns about situational assessment--proper setting and inappropriate use with severely disabled persons--prompted the following changes in its use in vocational rehabilitation: (1) recognition of differences between sheltered and actual work settings; (2) questioning of vocational assessment measures; and (3) focus on a person-centered…

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…

Presents a cost-benefit analysis of a supported-employment program using natural support strategies to assist 59 workers with severe disabilities in integrated employment settings. Results suggest substantial benefits to participants, the taxpayer, and society resulting from the choice of a natural support approach over the sheltered workshop…

This paper discusses a German program that provides a network of sheltered workshops for those unable to work under competitive conditions. Specifically described is the program at Detmold, Westphalia, which uses job analysis and detailed appraisal of workers' social and psychological characteristics in its training program. (Author/DB)

Sheltered workshops for severely disabled persons should be reformed to emphasize job placement, transition to more independent work environments, and retraining and replacement of workshop staff. A national policy on the employment of disabled persons focusing on supported employment, least restrictive work environments, and career development is…

Qualitative research was used to examine transition experiences of 9 young adults with severe disabilities during their last year of high school along with their parents and professionals. Students were remarkably articulate about plans following graduation but had few opportunities to fulfill them meaningfully. Differing perspectives of parents…

The relationship between cost-efficiency and personal characteristics of 111 supported employees were examined. When sheltered workshops were used as alternative placements, supported employees with high IQS benefited more from employment within the community than did supported employees with lower IQS. From society's perspective, African-American…

Community residences for small groups of people and day activity programs designed to increase functional levels for severely multiply handicapped persons with visual problems, are proposed as the only viable, humane alternative to institutionalization. Sources of funding for these goup home and day activity programs, which cost the same as…