Building employer capacity to support employees with severe disabilities in the workplace

Vocational rehabilitation has increasingly emphasized individualized community employment for individuals with severe disabilities. Early approaches were highly controlled by rehabilitation professionals, but research has shown that high levels of professional support can be intrusive, and that businesses are more able to participate in the support process than was initially assumed. This article summarizes recent developments leading to a new generation of partnership approaches that support and build the capacity of employers to successfully employ individuals with severe disabilities. Four innovative approaches – a consultation model of employer support, the development of business consortia, expanding diversity programs, and directing service funding to employers or coworkers – are described and the implications for rehabilitation services are outlined.