Career Development for Exceptional Individuals RSS feed -- OnlineFirst Articles

Can Community-Based High School Transition Programs Improve the Cost-Efficiency of Supported Employment?

Cimera, R. E. — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:26:19 PDT

This study investigates the potential impact that community-based, high school transition programs have on the cost-efficiency of individuals with disabilities when they become adults. Outcomes achieved by 246 supported employees were compared. Results indicated that supported employees who participated in community-based transition programs in high school were more cost-efficient from the taxpayers’ perspective than were individuals who received only in-school transition services or received no transition services at all. Supported employees who received community-based transition services also kept their jobs in the community significantly longer than did individuals from the comparison groups.

Availability of and Access to Career Development Activities for Transition-Age Youth With Disabilities

Carter, E. W., Trainor, A. A., Cakiroglu, O., Swedeen, B., Owens, L. A. — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:57:32 PDT

Equipping youth with and without disabilities for the world of work has been the focus of ongoing legislative and policy initiatives. The authors examined the extent to which career development and vocational activities were available to and accessed by youth with severe disabilities or emotional and behavioral disorders attending 34 urban, suburban, and rural high schools. Although school-level representatives (e.g., administrators, guidance counselors, student services directors) identified an array of career development opportunities offered by their schools, participation by youth with disabilities in these experiences was reported to be fairly limited. Potential factors influencing the participation of youth included disability-related needs and limited professional development opportunities for educators. The authors present recommendations for improving research and practice aimed at better preparing youth with disabilities for their future careers.

Effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction on Students' Knowledge of Postschool Options

Mazzotti, V. L., Test, D. W., Wood, C. L., Richter, S. M. — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:23:41 PDT

Enhancing students’ ability to make informed choices is an important precursor to successful choice-making, decision-making, and goal-setting. This study used a multiple-baseline design across behaviors replicated across participants to examine the effects of computer-assisted instruction on acquisition of students’ knowledge of postschool options (i.e., employment, education, independent living). Results demonstrated a functional relationship between baseline and intervention for all four students. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.