Competitive Integrated Employment Research Articles

Customized employment for transition-age youth in state vocational rehabilitation program PY2017 - PY2020: Analysis of service outcomes and related factors

BACKGROUND: Customized employment (CE) is positively correlated with competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes and potentially supports transition-age youth in achieving sustainable employment. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the employment outcomes and related factors for transition-age youth with disabilities who received CE services through state vocational rehabilitation agencies (SVRAs) and their vendors from program year 2017 to 2020. METHODS: Employing a combination of descriptive analysis, binary logistic and multiple regression, chi-square tests, and t-tests, the study investigates the demographics, potential barriers, and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services received by the research sample using the RSA-911 dataset. RESULTS: The sample comprised 672 individuals with a mean age of 22.30 years. The most prevalent barrier to employment among CE participants was long-term unemployment, while Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was the most common social security benefit. Furthermore, only 13.2% of transition-age youth achieved CIE status, compared to 30.1% of adults. The key predictors of employment outcomes, including CIE status, weekly earnings, and working hours were identified. CONCLUSION: The research reveals significant differences in employment outcomes between transition-age youth and adult VR consumers. These insights emphasize the necessity for SVRAs to consider a range of factors, including demographics, potential employment barriers, and the effects of various VR services, to increase the CE service effectiveness for transition-age youth.

Natural supports in competitive integrated employment: A scoping review

BACKGROUND: Competitive integrated employment (CIE) improves the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Individuals with IDD may need additional support in the workplace. Natural supports has been studied as an intervention to provide support and increase vocational and social skills for individuals with IDD in the workplace. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review the existing literature conducted on implementing natural supports in CIE settings to build vocational or social skills for individuals with IDD. METHOD: We followed the PRISMA-ScR process to identify articles across seven databases and coded information related to demographics, methodology, and outcomes. RESULTS: Seventeen articles were identified between 1985 –2024 that focused on implementing natural supports in CIE settings for individuals with IDD. Studies addressed vocational and social skills and broader vocational topics such as wages, hours worked, and inclusion in the workplace. CONCLUSION: Employees with IDD improved their engagement in vocational tasks, increased their social interactions with coworkers, and improved their quality of life through increased wages, hours worked, and job tenure. Additional research is warranted to provide further evidence on the impact of natural supports in the workplace for employees with and without IDD.

The time is now: Increasing competitive integrated employment opportunities for all Americans with disabilities

We are pleased to share with you an important written testimony submitted for Senator Bob Casey’s Hearing in the U.S. Senate on “All Means All: Empowering People with Disabilities in Careers and in the Workplace.” This testimony was provided by Dr. Lauren Avellone, Associate Professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University –Rehabilitation Research and Training Center. This testimony took place on Thursday February 29, 2024. Her testimony focused on the positive impact of competitive integrated employment on people with high support needs working within the United States, the need to eliminate 14c certificates which enable subminimum wages to be paid to people with disabilities, and solutions for achieving greater employment outcomes for all people with disabilities who would like to obtain employment. Statement from Dr. Paul Wehman, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation

Pre-employment transition services: Provider experiences with design and delivery

BACKGROUND: Pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) are designed to build upon school-based transition services to support students with disabilities in developing skills to meet their post-school goals around competitive integrated employment. OBJECTIVE: This study examines Pre-ETS providers’ experiences assisting students with disabilities in developing skills for transition through Pre-ETS activities. METHOD: Through an electronic survey, the insights of 96 providers of Pre-ETS were examined in relation to the planning, delivery, and impact of different activities. RESULTS: A lack of consistency in the process of planning Pre-ETS instruction exists across providers, though most report individualizing at the student or group level. Additionally, providers report using multiple methods to plan Pre-ETS delivery focused largely on Pre-ETS curriculum and transition websites. The types of services and activities implemented and the reported impact of each varies across providers. CONCLUSION: We offer recommendations focused on policy and practice for Pre-ETS providers to support students with disabilities as they transition into competitive integrated employment.

The promise and the challenge of pre-employment transition services: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act after ten years

As we mark the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), one of its marquee policies— pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS)— remains a work in progress. WIOA focused on achieving competitive integrated employment (CIE) for people with disabilities by establishing it as the primary goal for services and by reallocating resources and emphasizing coordinated service delivery to bend the trajectories of youth with disabilities toward CIE and minimize segregated and subminimum wage alternatives. However, along with the promise of opportunity and innovation, WIOA has introduced challenges and complexity in implementing Pre-ETS and other requirements. In this paper, we describe the promise of WIOA and Pre-ETS as well as many of these ongoing challenges related to its implementation. Finally, we provide recommendations for how federal and state leaders can build on the innovation occurring within Pre-ETS implementation to improve outcomes and achieve the promise WIOA set forth.

State-level characteristics and trends in pre-employment transition service delivery to students with disabilities

BACKGROUND: The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) substantially changed the way state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies prepare transition-age students with disabilities for competitive integrated employment through the provision of pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS). However, little is known about how state VR agencies are delivering Pre-ETS to students with disabilities in practice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine state-level provision of Pre-ETS across the United States. METHOD: Descriptive analyses of Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Case Service Report (RSA-911) data of Pre-ETS recipients between 2017 and 2020 were conducted across states. RESULTS: Substantial state-level differences were noted in the type of Pre-ETS provided, how many Pre-ETS were provided to each recipient, the disability characteristics of students, and state use of Pre-ETS provider types (VR staff or vendor). CONCLUSION: State differences in Pre-ETS implementation require further research to investigate best practices within and across states. More differentiated training and technical assistance models aligned with these state-level differences are needed.

Building a foundation for competitive integrated employment: What does the future hold for pre-employment transition services

One of the more creative aspects of the Workforce Innovation Opportunities Act (WIOA, 2014) is the pre-employment transition services program (Pre-ETS). In WIOA, for the first time a federal rehabilitation law has been reauthorized to include a requirement that 15% of the state case management service funding must be devoted to Pre-ETS activities. However, a significant number of state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies have been unable to spend this required 15% and therefore millions and millions of dollars nationally have been returned to the Rehabilitation Services Administration. In this paper, we describe how Pre-ETS can be used to get youth with disabilities into competitive and integrated employment, while also outlining many of the systems challenges related to these efforts— specifically for VR and schools. We also provide recommendations for the future to improve outcomes by making Pre-ETS work more effectively.

An observational investigation of unemployment, underemployment, and competitive integrated employment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2021-2022

BackgroundEmployment is an important component of community living, and a precursor to economic stability and independence. Despite this, research consistently demonstrates people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have low rates of community-based employment. However, little research has been conducted to quantify competitive integrated employment, and which individuals have better employment outcomes as it relates to competitive integrated employment. ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the ways in which key service-related and demographic characteristics of individuals with IDD are associated with participation in competitive integrated employment. MethodsWe used the 2021–2022 National Core Indicators Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities In-Person Survey dataset. We conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses, using chi-square and generalized linear models, to examine the cross-sectional relationship between employment and demographic and service-related characteristics for 4629 individuals with IDD. ResultsOverall, 42% of the sample was unemployed but wanted a job, while 39% were underemployed and just 21% have competitive integrated employment. Several demographic and service-related characteristics were significantly associated with employment. After controlling for demographic and service-related correlates of employment, having an employment-related goal in one's service plan was associated with 4.5 (95% CI: 3.6–5.5) times higher odds of competitive integrated employment relative to unemployment. ConclusionsThis study underscores the value of person-centered planning for improved employment outcomes. Further research is needed to fully understand potential inequities in employment and system-level factors that are associated with competitive, integrated employment, as well as solutions to improve access to customized individual employment supports for all people with IDD.

Vocational rehabilitation applicants, the services they receive, and their employment outcomes

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps people with disabilities gain or improve employment. However, previous research into program outcomes has primarily focused on subsets of participants with specific diagnoses instead of the full population. OBJECTIVE: We chronicled the population’s personal characteristics, services received, and program outcomes to inform hypotheses about relationships between personal characteristics, services, and program outcomes. METHODS: These characteristics were analyzed for all 572,490 adult cases that closed between 2017 and 2018. Descriptive statistical distributions compare the applicants with their two subgroups: participants and non-participants. RESULTS: Seven of the 20 primary impairment categories encompassed 78%of applicants. Sixty-three percent of applicants completed an individualized plan for employment (IPE) and became participants. Eighty-five percent of participants and 43%of non-participants received VR services. Half of VR participants exited unemployed and 44%achieved competitive integrated employment (CIE). Two-thirds of non-participants exited before developing their IPE mostly because they either lost interest in VR or VR lost the ability to talk to them. CONCLUSION: The results describe variables that can potentially affect program enrollment and program outcomes. Future work assessing VR should consider these variables when evaluating services that are most impactful to exiting employment.

Predicting competitive integrated employment outcomes of Asian American vocational rehabilitation Clients: A national study

AbstractPurposeThe current study investigated the relationships between demographic variables, cash benefits, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and employment outcomes of Asian Americans VR clients.MethodsThe data were extracted from the most recent Rehabilitation Service Administration database (RSA‐911). Among 17,278 case services records, 5784 clients met the inclusion criteria. Chi‐square automatic interaction detector and logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the employment outcomes.ResultsThe results indicated that Asian American clients who have completed a bachelor's degree or more do not receive disability‐related benefits, and those who received more VR services were more likely to achieve competitive integrated employment (CIE). In addition, VR counseling and job placement services were significant predictors of employment outcomes.ConclusionsThese findings provide valuable insights into the factors influencing CIE among Asian American VR clients with disabilities. The results further underscore the importance of VR professionals possessing cultural competence to effectively serve a diverse clientele.

Thinking differently works: Understanding the essential elements for the success of a competitive integrated employment program developed for persons with autism spectrum conditions.

Thinking differently works: Understanding the essential elements for the success of a competitive integrated employment program developed for persons with autism spectrum conditions.

Competitive integrated employment for youth with disabilities: Aligning measurement with conceptualization using latent growth curve modeling

Purpose Although existing research has generated a wealth of information related to employment for individuals with disabilities, a major limitation is that common measurements of employment do not fully capture the scope of the optimal outcome specified in public policies, namely, competitive integrated employment. Therefore, we aimed to describe the change and stability in multiple aspects of employment for youth with disabilities from high school age to mid-30s under the structural equation modeling framework. Methods We identified a sample of 1,921 youth with disabilities who were at least 18 years old in 2003 from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth– 1997. We estimated a series of latent growth curve models to assess trajectories of job quality, indicated by hourly pay, and stability, indicated by weekly work hours, over a period of 15 years. Results Trajectories of job quality and stability did not covary or load on a common factor, but there was substantial variability within the sample in both the intercept and slope of these two constructs, which were best captured by a cubic growth curve, and partially explained by health condition and several demographic variables. Conclusions Competitive integrated employment comprises of multiple components which should ideally be considered along a time dimension. Future studies need to assess validity of the measurement model with a different sample and incorporate another important component of competitive integrated employment, that is, whether work is carried out at an integrated setting.

Facilitators and barriers of employment among transition-age Hispanic youth with disabilities

BACKGROUND: Prior research has examined the associations between demographic variables and employment outcomes in transition-age youth with disabilities, yet little is known about the supports and services that provide pathways to employment among transition-age Hispanic youth with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to identify variables associated with employment for transition-age Hispanic youth VR participants. Among them, demographic factors, barriers to employment, services associated with exiting in competitive integrated employment and associated weekly earnings. METHODS: We used descriptive analysis to examine the demographic characteristics of the study’s sample. Variables were then dichotomized, except for age at application, to be analyzed via logistic regression and a stepwise forward regression analysis was performed to assess the association between different levels of independent variables and selected dependent variables. RESULTS: Findings were consistent with previous findings examining the relationships between sociodemographic variables, vocational rehabilitation (VR) related variables, and employment outcomes in transition-age youth with disabilities. Our findings revealed that there are several positive and negative sociodemographic and VR-related variables associated with employment and weekly earnings for transition-age Hispanic youth VR participants. CONCLUSION: Besides supporting transition-age Hispanic youth with disabilities, understanding familial perspectives and needs would also be critical in facilitating a successful employment experience.

State-Level Analysis of Subminimum Wage Use for Individuals With Disabilities in the United States: Implications for Policy and Practice

Despite considerable legislative and advocacy-based efforts to end subminimum wage practices, many Americans with disabilities are still paid below the federal minimum. Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers holding certificates to pay less than minimum wage to individuals with disabilities whose work capacity or productivity is impaired due to disability. The majority of employers paying subminimum wages are facility-based programs also known as sheltered workshops. This work is usually performed in segregated settings away from the rest of the nation’s workforce. Subminimum wage practices continue despite clear evidence that even those with the most significant disabilities can be successfully employed in competitive integrated employment when supports are provided. The purpose of this study was to examine the continued use of subminimum wages in the United States and to identify whether there are any state-level characteristics or policies that predict their use. Descriptive analysis and linear regression were used in this investigation. Findings indicate that subminimum wage practices continue to be prevalent in most states, and most prominently in the Midwest region. Implications and recommendations for reducing subminimum wage pay for individuals with disabilities are provided.

Pushing the Integrated Employment Agenda: Employment Systems Partners and the High-Performing States Model.

This article summarizes data collected from key informants in Iowa, Maryland, and Oklahoma regarding efforts to support integrated employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We highlight features that contribute to the effectiveness of collaborative structures that have resulted in each state's success in achieving integrated employment outcomes for individuals with IDD across three state systems: IDD, vocational rehabilitation, and education. We present these features using the seven elements of the High-Performing States Employment Model. These elements have been found to be important in achieving higher rates of competitive integrated employment outcomes for people with IDD.

An Analysis of the Rehabilitation Service Administration 911 Supported and Customized Employment Outcome Data for Fiscal Years 2017–2020

Supported employment ( SE) and customized employment (CE) are vocational rehabilitation services designed to assist job seekers with significant disabilities to find meaningful competitive integrated employment. We conducted an analysis of Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA-911) data for fiscal years 2017–2020 to determine the outcomes at the exit for individuals receiving SE and CE services. Specifically, we examined (a) what occupations, according to the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, are individuals obtaining after exiting from state vocational rehabilitation SE and CE services, (b) if there is a difference in occupational types at the exit for individuals who receive SE and CE services, (c) if there is a difference in hourly wages and hours worked at the exit for individuals who receive SE and CE services, and (d) if there are differences in wages, after controlling for sex and race at exit for SE and CE service recipients. Results indicated most individuals receiving SE and CE services exit into three broad SOC code categories: Food preparation and servicing related, office and administrative support, and building grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations. Proportional differences suggest that individuals receiving CE are exploring a wider range of occupations compared with SE. There was a significant difference in wages between SE and CE but no difference in hours worked between SE and CE service recipients.

Facilitating self-employment as a competitive integrated employment outcome: Results of a focus group study with vocational rehabilitation professionals

BACKGROUND: Self-employment is defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 as a competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcome. However, an analysis of the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) reveals that a limited number of people with disabilities receiving vocational rehabilitation services exit the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies with a self-employment outcome. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) professionals report as facilitators of self-employment outcomes for people with disabilities. METHOD: A national sample of VR professionals was recruited to participate in a series of focus groups. Using Zoom Meeting, participants discussed their experiences with self-employment when providing services to people with disabilities. The research team used NVivo12 software to conduct primary data analysis of the transcribed focus group sessions with the consent of the participants. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the analysis to include 1) resources, 2) practices, 3) experiences, and 4) attitudes. Each of these major themes contained subthemes related to facilitators of self-employment for people with disabilities. CONCLUSION: A key finding was the need for more comprehensive and individualized training and support for VR counselors. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.

An examination of vocational rehabilitation requirements for self-employment technical assistance and consultative services

BACKGROUND: The Rehabilitation Act references self-employment in its definition of competitive integrated employment (CIE) and description of vocational outcomes. The Act also references self-employment within its scope of services and stipulates that rehabilitation services include “technical assistance and other consultation services to conduct market analyses, develop business plans, and otherwise provide resources, to the extent those resources are authorized to be provided through the statewide workforce development system, to eligible individuals who are pursuing self-employment or telecommuting or establishing a small business operation as an employment outcome” 34 CFR 361.48(b)(19). OBJECTIVE: This policy review identifies and highlights specific SVRA policy regarding TA and consultation for self-employment. METHODS: Policies from all 50 states and the District of Columbia’s combined or general SVRAs and policies from 18 blind SVRAs were reviewed and coded into categories (no reference, generic, internal, and external references) to determine the types of TA and consultation for self-employment that are outlined in state policy. RESULTS: The majority of general or combined SVRAs (n = 38) have policies for self-employment technical assistance and consultation that are generic and the majority of blind SVRAs (n = 16) have generic policies for self-employment technical assistance and consultation. These rehabilitation agencies’ policies only reference generic services and do not identify dedicated resources designed to meet the intent and scope of rehabilitation services. CONCLUSION: SVRAs must make a concerted effort to ensure that self-employment policy is adequately aligned to account for necessary supports, activities, and interventions that lead to positive self-employment outcomes.

A summary of the self-employment outcomes in the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program: Program years 2018, 2019, and 2020

BACKGROUND: Self-employment continues to be an elusive competitive integrated employment outcome (CIE) for people with disabilities receiving services from State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRA). This article provides a snapshot of the extent to which self-employment is occurring within the SVRA program as a CIE outcome. Recommendations are included for VR policies and practices that may expand the self-employment participation and outcomes for an inclusive range of VR recipients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to provide an analysis of the national outcomes in self-employment for individuals served by the SVRAs for program years 2018, 2019, and 2020. METHODS: The data in this article was provided by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) as part of the RSA Case Service Report (RSA-911) for 2018, 2019, and 2020. RESULTS: Self-employment continues to be an underutilized VR service. Outcomes in self-employment as a percentage of all VR outcomes in CIE remained low and stagnant during 2018 and 2019 with a noticeable drop in outcomes for PY 2020. Consistently, self-employment outcomes are predominantly achieved in the VR system by a homogenous population of older (age 50+) participants whose race is white and gender is male. CONCLUSION: Unless the field of vocational rehabilitation proactively commits to diversifying and expanding self-employment participation and outcomes, the odds are that the outcomes for self-employment will remain unchanged.

Why and How Electronic Job Coaches Improve Employment for People with Disabilities

Even though the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act strengthens federal and state commitments to employing people with disabilities, there remain millions of Americans with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities (ID) who are still unemployed. To succeed in competitive employment, workers with ID require help with memory, task sequence and planning, and time management; skills that are often referred to as executive functioning. Typically, employers do not have the training to manage people with ID with these challenges. This task falls to job coaches, job developers or employment specialists (e.g., providers) and the agencies that provide such services. Without effective and efficient tools to support the executive functioning of individuals with ID, policies that aim to affect their competitive integrated employment can result in an unmanageable burden on the provider. Today’s jobs are more complex. Providers need tools that can help them effectively and efficiently build, record and adjust prompts and instructions as changes occur in real-time. However, they may not have the time and/or the skills required to make clear, accurate instructional prompts for multiple workers with ID in different settings. To identify the needs of employers, providers, and workers with ID, a NIDILRR-funded project collected data from supervisors, employers and providers of employment services to workers with ID. These interviews were used to determine the requirements of an ideal system that would help them better instruct, coach, track progress and manage teams of employees with ID. This brief describes their findings and development of a cloud-based interactive electronic job coaching app that allows emplyment services providers to efficiently convert work assignments into the essential details required by the mobile worker with ID, and then wirelessly transfer the appropriate instructions to the worker’s electronic coach.