Research Database: Article Details
| Citation: | McDonnall, M. C., & Sui, Z. (2019). Effectiveness of a business development training for rehabilitation counselors who work with consumers who are blind or visually impaired. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 63 (1), 25–34. |
| Title: | Effectiveness of a business development training for rehabilitation counselors who work with consumers who are blind or visually impaired |
| Authors: | McDonnall, M. C., & Sui, Z. |
| Year: | 2019 |
| Journal/Publication: | Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin |
| Publisher: | SAGE |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355218796276 |
| Full text: | https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0034355218796276 |
| Peer-reviewed? | Yes |
| NIDILRR-funded? | Yes |
Structured abstract:
| Background: | Business relationships are important. This is an especially true statement for vocational rehabilitation specialist who all rely on their relationships with businesses to help their clients find and maintain work. Researchers recently set out to measure the effectiveness of VR counselors who work with individuals who are blind or visually impaired. 80 counselors and counselor supervisors participated from four separate agencies. Before the training began, participants recognized the importance of, and a personal need for training in, business development and perceived moderate levels of comfort, knowledge, and skill. At the end of the training, all participants improved on the measured statistics. The increases show the need and effectiveness of using training to improve business relation development outcomes. |
| Disabilities served: |
Blindness Visual impairment |
| Populations served: |
Rural and remote communities Transition-age youth (14 - 24) Older workers (55+) Urban Veterans Persons with multiple disabilities (e.g., deaf-blindness, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse) SSI and SSDI recipients Sub-minimum wage employees Youth in foster care Adults Adolescents Transition-age students (14 - 22) Urban communities |
| Interventions: |
Accommodations Training and technical assistance Vocational rehabilitation Accommodations / modifications |
| Outcomes: |
Employment acquisition Full-time employment |