Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation

Editor's note. Often, invited joumal articles are culled from leading innovators and researchers in the field. These authors share their studies or inclinations with readers and represent trends in the field. This is a vital service in continued education. Yet, those at the core of these studies and trends – the recipients of services – rarely have an opportunity to offer their thoughts and ideas on the process. Therefore, I am excited to introduce an article by a man who has defied the odds. Indeed, Jim Prentice is a person the system wanted to give up on. Jim has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. His mostfunctional physical asset is the use of his thumb, which he uses to propel his motorized chair and activate his communicator. Yet, Jim is gainfully employed and enjoys a lifestyle similar to most readers. This is Jim's story.

Integration of workers with severe disabilities is a critical outcome of supported employment, but in practice it has been difficult to achieve. Few intervention strategies have been empirically validated. This article reviews data-based research designed to increase the social interactions of workers with severe disabilities in supported employment settings. The literature is divided into four areas for review: social skills instruction, problem solving, self-management, and coworker assistance. Specific interventions for increasing integration are analyzed and evaluated with suggestions for best practice of instructional techniques. Recommendations for future research are discussed.

The three reviews presented here deal with change. There is no better word to describe the common element in the provision of adult services for people with disabilities. I have selected three publications from outside the field of rehabilitation from which numerous connections can be made. We can learn a great deal from the leaders of the business community in adopting strategies to successfully plan for the rapid pace of change in providing services to individuals with disabilities. Kriegel and Patler (1991) summarize the unconventional wisdom of corporate leaders regarding what it will take to meet the constant changes in the 1990s. Joel Barker (1988) introduces us to the world of the future, where the “new paradigms” will dictate a whole new way of doing things. A much referenced book by Rosabeth Moss Kantor (1983) is reviewed to encourage readers to draw parallels between the concepts presented in her book and the realities of providing services for people with disabilities. Each of these books provides experiences from which we can draw connections to our current work on behalf of people with disabilities.