Research Database: Article Details
| Citation: | Rutkowski, S., & Riehle, E. (2009). Access to employment and economic independence in cerebral palsy. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 20 (3), 535-547. |
| Title: | Access to employment and economic independence in cerebral palsy |
| Authors: | Rutkowski, S., & Riehle, E. |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Journal/Publication: | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America |
| Publisher: | Elseveir, Inc. |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2009.06.003 |
| Full text: | http://proxy.library.vcu.edu/login?url=http://ac.els-cdn.com/S10479... |
| Peer-reviewed? | Yes |
| NIDILRR-funded? | No |
| Research design: | Literature review |
Structured abstract:
| Background: | Employment rates for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) are dismally low. Research has shown that only 29% of participants aged 21-35 in Denmarkâs cerebral palsy registry were competitively employed. In the United States an estimated 764,000 individuals show symptoms of cerebral palsy yet a literature review of the employment outcomes of those individuals turns up limited results. |
| Purpose: | The purpose of this article is to review the relevant literature in the field related to employment outcomes of transition age youths with CP. |
| Findings: | Barriers to employment include the availability of transportation (public or private), access to assistive technology, inaccessibility, and discrimination. Better rehabilitation technology and legally mandated environmental access have been proposed as facilitators to better employment outcomes. Major challenges that still exist include navigating complicated government programs such as Medicaid and Social Security, lack of appropriate work experience programs, low expectations from society, schools, and even families, and poor transition planning. |
| Disabilities served: |
Cerebral palsy |
| Populations served: |
Transition-age youth (14 - 24) |