State Employment Services that Support Competitive Integrated Employment to Individuals with Complex Disabilities Including Blindness/Visual Impairments

AbstractThis research attempted to begin to examine the problem of why youth and consequently, adults with complex disabilities, are not being employed in competitive, integrated environments. As policy, WIOA mandates this status with few exceptions. The study asked, “who and/or what state, and local agencies provide services that mean to support employment and community access?” The study also questioned what services are successful in providing employment supports to consumers with complex disabilities, as well as the barriers to providing supports.The study used a theoretical framework that combined a Stages-Heuristic policy model and Organizational Niche Theory in which to view the problem. A qualitative research design was used along with descriptive statistics of an electronic survey sent to 123 VR, DD agency and Blind/VI services personnel. A Focus Group was facilitated to expand on survey responses and help discover or add to emerging themes from open- ended survey questions.The results of the survey were limited, with only 17 participants responding to questions. The Focus Group with three members, was also limited in geographical regions, as well as representative agencies. Therefore, it was impossible to answer the main questions regarding what state agencies provide specialized services to individuals with complex disabilities for the purpose of competitive, integrated employment.However, the open-ended questions/responses gave good insight into what services are provided, which are successful, and what barriers the responding agencies have in providing specialized services. The Focus Group discussion added to the survey responses, and several themes were apparent. The responses also reinforced much of the current literature (of which there is little) around employment attainment for individuals with significant disabilities.