COVID-19 and marginalized workers: Issues for vocational rehabilitation

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly influenced all aspects of daily life. Especially hard hit during the pandemic are typically marginalized individuals, including individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Vocational rehabilitation counselors are uniquely positioned to support these individuals both during and after the pandemic. The Illinois Work and Well-Being Model can be utilized by researchers and counselors supporting marginalized individuals as an effective theoretical framework to address anticipated COVID-19-related challenges. In this article we also provide insights into three potential issues that may be more likely to occur as a result of the pandemic. These issues are a delay in career development, an extended absence from work, and experiences of both primary and secondary trauma. We conclude by providing future directions for research that could impact the lives of individuals directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2021 National Rehabilitation Association. All rights reserved.

A tool to measure work adjustment in the post-pandemic economy: The Illinois work adjustment scale

OBJECTIVE: This article introduces the Illinois Work Adjustment Scale (IWAS) and sets out to confirm the internal validity of the IWAS as well as determine if there are meaningful dimensions among the items of the IWAS that can be further defined as instrument subscales. METHODS: In order to meet these objectives, a survey of 738 individuals, all of whom self-reported as having disabilities, was conducted online. RESULTS: As a result of this survey and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the IWAS was reduced from a 26-question scale to an 18-question scale consisting of two meaningful subscales, Work Context and Work Capacity. Significant and meaningful correlations between the two subscales indicate that Work Context and Work Capacity are related to the broader concept of work adjustment and assess unique aspects of work. CONCLUSION: The IWAS has the potential to be applied to facilitate positive career development and vocational rehabilitation outcomes for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions. This is of greater importance now as the COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted the economy and workforce, leaving those with the greatest barriers to employment such as individuals with disabilities and chronic health conditions further marginalized and disconnected from work. © 2021 - IOS Press. All rights reserved.