The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the nature and frequency of the instructional interactions and work-related behavior of 15 workers in nonsheltered vocational environments to 15 workers in sheltered environments. Workers in nonsheltered and sheltered environments were observed using a discontinuous time sampling procedure for approximately three 1-hour sessions. Data were collected during work and break times on instructional interactions between the workers with disabilities and their co-workers and supervisors. Additionally, data were collected on the frequency of eight categories of behavior labeled as inappropriate by observers. The results revealed that the workers in nonsheltered environments engaged in significantly more instructional interactions with supervisors and exhibited significantly fewer occurrences of inappropriate behavior.
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