VCU RRTC

White, J., & Weiner, J. (2004). Influence of least restrictive environment and community based training on integrated employment outcomes for transitioning students with severe disabilities. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 21 (3), 149-156.

Influence of least restrictive environment and community based training on integrated employment outcomes for transitioning students with severe disabilities

White, J., & Weiner, J.

2004

Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation

IOS Press

https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vocational-rehabil...   

Yes

Not reported

Cross-sectional

In light of the data supporting the education of individuals with severe disabilities in natural contexts, it stands to reason that programs would no longer provide training in contexts other than those that result in durable employment opportunities. However, this continue to occur. Even with mandated transtion planning integrated employment outcomes are not improving for students with severe disabilites. Many of these students will then enter the public welfare system and/or segregated adult programs.

The purpose of this study was to identify variables that are correlated with successful integrated employment outcomes for transitioning students with severe disabilities.

The setting included 20 different schools sites within 12 school districts in a county in California.

The sample included 104 students with severe disabilities, ages 18–22, who had exited school with out diploma. Close to half (48%) of the participants had an IQ that placed them in the profound (25%) or severe (23%)category. The majority of the participants were white (53%), followed by Hispanic (28%), Asian (13%),Afriacan American (4%) and Pacific (2%). Around 53% of the students were males. Around 80% of the participants lived at home; the others lived in group homes.

The intervention was community based training. This included on the job trainign and physical integration with non disabled peers.

The specific variables measured in this study included: the influence of duration of community-based training (CBT) that included on-the-job training, onthe- job training as a subset of CBT, the least restrictive environment (LRE), or the degree of integration with non-disabled peers during the school day, demographics (gender, ethnicity, home setting, behavior problems, physical disability and mental ability as measured by intelligence quotient (I.Q.). Data was collected by structured interview with teachers and administrators, record review and on site observations. Correlations were used to examine predictive relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable of post-school integrated employment. Cross tabulations and chi-square analyses of correlated variables were then used to identify significance of specific variables on employment outcome.

These data indicate significant intercoons between community based training (r = 0.387, p < 0.001), degree of integration with typical peers (r = 0.360, p < 0.001), and on-the-job training (r = 0.305, p = 0.001) and employment outcome. There were also strong intercorrelations among the three variables of CBT, degree of integration or LRE and on-the-job training. Transitioning students who received CBT and on the job training had a 69% integrated employment rate after leaving school.

The combinations of least restrictive environments, CBT/on-the-job training, and innovative teacher advocacy are potent predictors of post school employment for students with severe disabilities, regardless of intellectual functioning.

Developmental disabilities

Gender: Female and Male
Race: Asian
Race: Black / African American
Race: White / Caucasian
Race: Native Hawaiian / other Pacific Islander
Ethnicity: Hispanic or Latino
Transition-age youth (14 - 24)

Other

Employment acquisition