Project Career: Perceived benefits of iPad apps among college students with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

BACKGROUND: Project Career is an interprofessional five-year development project designed to improve academic and employment success of undergraduate students with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) at two- and four-year colleges and universities. Students receive technology in the form of iPad applications ("apps") to support them in and out of the classroom. OBJECTIVE: To assess participants' perspectives on technology at baseline and perceived benefit of apps after 6 and 12 months of use. METHODS: This article address a component of a larger study. Participants included 50 college-aged students with traumatic brain injuries. Statistical analysis included data from two Matching Person and Technology (MPT) assessment forms, including the Survey of Technology Use at baseline and the Assistive Technology Use Follow-Up Survey: Apps Currently Using, administered at 6- and 12-months re-evaluation. Analyses included frequencies and descriptives. RESULTS: Average scores at baseline indicated positive perspectives on technology. At 6 months, quality of life (67%) and academics (76%) improved moderately or more from the use of iPad apps. At 12 months, quality of life (65%) and academics (82%) improved moderately or more from the use of iPad apps. CONCLUSION: Students with a TBI have positive perspectives on technology use. The results on perceived benefit of apps indicated that students with a TBI (including civilians and veterans) report that the apps help them perform in daily life and academic settings.

The working alliance: an interdisciplinary case management strategy for health professionals.

This article describes strategies for building working alliances among stakeholders in the rehabilitation process. Beginning with the intake interview and progressing through clarifying expectations, establishing bonds, setting goals, formulating tasks and resolving conflicts, the working alliance provides a model for meeting a wide range of client needs in a comprehensive, cost-effective manner.

Increasing client involvement in vocational rehabilitation: an expectations-based approach to assessment and planning.

The article provides a rationale for according greater attention to the expectations of vocational rehabilitation (VR) clients. Based on counseling theory, rehabilitation philosophy, federal regulatory mandates, and counseling process and outcome studies, the authors' thesis is that an expectations-based approach to rehabilitation counseling will increase client involvement in all phases of the VR process.

Correlates of work interference scores on the MMPI-2 among participants in residential substance abuse treatment.

The article describes a concurrent prediction of Work Interference scores on the MMPI-2 with a sample (N = 82) of participants in a court-mandated residential substance abuse treatment facility. Anxiety and Low Self-Esteem were significantly related to Work Interference (R = 0.80, P < 0.0001). Implications for administrative policy, counseling practice, and future research are discussed.

Job retention and breast cancer: employee perspectives and implications for rehabilitation planning.

The article presents four case studies of employed women who have had breast cancer. Specifically, the authors examine respondents' career maintenance concerns in the areas of (a) worksite accessibility, (b) performance of essential job functions, (c) job mastery, and (d) job satisfaction. Post-employment strategies are presented to assist rehabilitation professionals in meeting the on-the-job needs of women with breast cancer.

Future trends in assessment and planning: priorities for vocational rehabilitation in the 21st century.

The article examines the current status and future directions of assessment and planning in vocational rehabilitation (VR). Major themes include (a) the increasing emphasis on consumer involvement, (b) career development as the ultimate goal of the VR process, (c) integrative assessment of the 'whole' person, (d) employers as partners in planning and service delivery, and (e) the expanding role of rehabilitation counselors in a highly diversified professional marketplace.

Career adjustment via reasonable accommodations: the effects of an employee-empowerment intervention for people with disabilities.

The article describes an experimental approach to increasing consumer participation in the Americans with Disabilities Act's Title I accommodation request process. Specifically, participants (N = 36) completed a structured interview to identify their needs for on-the-job accommodations, received detailed information about Title I provisions, and completed a social competence training program to assist them in requesting accommodations from their employers. Results indicated that the intervention was effective in increasing knowledge of Title I provisions and behavioral activity related to requesting and implementing accommodations.

Ecological assessment of the career maintenance needs of employees with diabetes.

The article presents four case studies of employees with diabetes. The authors examine participants' post-employment accommodation needs in four areas: worksite accessibility; performance of essential job functions; job mastery; and job satisfaction. Data were collected via the Work Experience Survey, an established career maintenance needs assessment tool.

Diabetes mellitus: medical aspects and rehabilitation implications.

This article examines the etiologies, incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus - a chronic, systemic disease of the endocrine system. It presents current information for rehabilitation professionals concerning diagnosis, treatment, and physiological effects of this, most common of all endocrine disorders.

Enhancing the employment potential of people with diabetes mellitus: guidelines for research and practice.

This article offers recommendations to researchers, policymakers and rehabilitation professionals to improve the employment prospects for Americans with diabetes mellitus. An early intervention, interdisciplinary approach is emphasized - one that integrates career counseling and employment consultation into a 'total treatment' framework.

Supported employment: principles and practices for interdisciplinary collaboration.

This article provides an overview of the philosophical and practical aspects of supported employment. The authors describe: (1) the primary supported employment clientele; (2) the disciplines and professions involved in delivering community-based employment services for the population; and (3) selected intervention strategies that maximize supported employees' job tenure and satisfaction. Guidelines for interdisciplinary collaboration in identifying and implementing supported employment services are offered.

The role of the rehabilitation placement professional in the ADA era.

Rehabilitation placement professionals have a vital role in helping American corporations develop recruiting, hiring, and accommodation practices that are compatible with the civil rights protections in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To perform this consulting function, they must have current information on: (a) provisions and protections in Title I of the ADA; (b) the benefits of hiring people with disabilities; (c) the cost-effectiveness of reasonable accommodations; and (d) collaborative employer/employee approaches to job accommodations.

Multiple sclerosis: Etiology, incidence and prevalence.

The article examines the medical, psychological, and social aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS), one of the most common neurological disorders in the Western hemisphere. It presents current information concerning the symptomology, diagnosis, course, progression, and treatment of the illness.

Job placement interventions for people with multiple sclerosis.

The article describes model job placement programs for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary thesis is that both selective placement and job-seeking skills training are needed to increase labor force participation in the American MS community. Specifically, the authors examine (a) MS Back-to-Work: Operation Job Match, (b) the Job Raising Program, (c) the Return-to-Work program, and (d) the Career Possibilities Project.

Factors associated with unemployment among persons with multiple sclerosis.

The article examines the high (75%) rate of unemployment among Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS). Specifically, it considers the demographic, medical, psychological, sociopolitical, and work related aspects of MS which have been linked to unemployment.

Job retention interventions for persons with multiple sclerosis.

The paper reviews service initiatives designed to facilitate job retention for employees with multiple sclerosis (MS). The thesis is that worksite barriers must be removed via reasonable accommodations for persons with MS to continue working as the illness progresses. Key elements of barrier removal include (a) needs assessments, (b) civil rights information concerning Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (c) training on how to request reasonable accommodations from one's employer, and (d) consultation with employers.

Employment and multiple sclerosis: Policy, programming, and research recommendations.

The article presents recommendations for policymakers, service providers, and consumers to improve the bleak career development prospects for Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS). It suggests intervention strategies, research initiatives, and information dissemination activities for future consideration.