Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation

This study evaluated the strength of illness-related, employment-related, and psychosocial variables as predictors of quality of life (QOL) among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). An ex post facto, multiple correlational investigation was conducted with 1,310 people with MS who were members of the National MS Society. A questionnaire developed by the researchers included (a) demographic and illness-related items with both fixed and open response sets and (b) a QOL scale that asked respondents to rate on a scale of 1 (totally unsatisfying) to 7 (completely satisfying) their levels of satisfaction in major life areas. A backward stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed a model of vocational rehabilitation-related predictors in which QOL was found to be positively related to educational level and employment status and negatively related to number of symptoms, persistence of symptoms, and perceived stress level. The model explained 42.9 percent of the variance in QOL scores.

This article describes findings from an empirical investigation of the pattern of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I complaints filed with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) by people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in comparison to the pattern of ADA Title I complaints filed by all other people with disabilities since 1993. Chi square analyses revealed that people with MS are more likely than all other complainants to charge discrimination related to benefits, health insurance, demotion, reasonable accommodations, and the terms of employment. People with MS are less likely than other complainants to file ADA Title I complaints alleging unlawful discharge, harassment, and discriminatory hiring practices. Implications of these findings for vocational rehabilitation practice are presented.

This article describes findings from an empirical investigation of the pattern of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title I case resolutions by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) involving people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in comparison to the pattern of ADA Title I case resolutions involving all other people with disabilities since 1993. Chi-square analysis revealed that people with MS are more likely than all other complainants to have charges resolved with the issuance of a right to sue letter. People with MS are less likely than other complainants to have charges resolved via administrative closures. Implications of these findings for vocational rehabilitation practice are presented.

This article presents findings pertinent to the relationship between on-the-job barriers and job satisfaction among employed people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Fifty-nine adults with MS (N = 59), who self-initiated a telephone call to an employment hotline for assistance in managing their MS on the job, participated in structured job accommodation interviews (Work Experience Survey – WES). Respondents reported few worksite accessibility problems, a moderate number of performance difficulties, few job mastery problems, and relatively high levels of job satisfaction. Restricted range in the job mastery variable precluded its contribution to the hypothesized regression equation predicting job satisfaction, but the total number of worksite accessibility and essential function barriers correlated significantly and negatively with job satisfaction (r = -0.33, $r^2$ = 0.11, p < 0.015). A rationale for early intervention to reduce workplace barriers is presented, grounded in these findings and career development theory.

A major debate has begun over reports of an unprecedented decline in the employment of working age people with disabilities over the 1990s business cycle. Here we review the literature on what can and cannot be said with current data on this subject and conclude that this decline is not an artifact of the data. We then review the various explanations and evidence for this decline and conclude that it was caused by changes in social policy rather than increases in the severity of the underlying health conditions and impairments of this population. The implication is that significant changes in public policy are needed to more effectively integrate working age people with disabilities into employment. We identify and discuss the most promising directions for public policy in this area.

This article describes applications of small-N designs in rehabilitation research. The authors provide an overview of the key features of small-N research, several types of small-N designs, and the strengths and limitations of each type of design. Examples from the contemporary professional literature are used to illustrate key points.