Other NIDRR Projects
The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) conducts comprehensive and coordinated programs of research and related activities to assist in the achievement of the full inclusion, social integration, employment and independent living of people with disabilities. The following is a listing of projects conducting research regarding employment and workforce development as well as information on dissemination and utilization of research.
Employment Projects
- Demand-Side Employment Placement Models
- Improve the Employment Outcomes for the Low Functioning Deaf (LFD) Population
- Rehabilitation Research and TrainingCenter on Employment Policy and Individuals with Disabilities
- Rehabilitation Research and TrainingCenter on Improving Employment Outcomes
- Rehabilitation Research and TrainingCenter on Substance Abuse, Disability and Employment
- Rehabilitation Research and TrainingCenter on Workplace Supports and Job Retention
- Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
- RRTC on Improving Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
- RRTC on Improving Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Severe Visual Impairments
- Rehabilitation and Training Center on Community Integration of Persons with TBI
Community Living
- Rehabilitation Research and TrainingCenter on Personal Assistance Services
- Research and TrainingCenter on Community Living (RTC/CL)
Information
- Assistive Technology
- Employment Projects
- National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research
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NIDRR Employment Projects
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project: Demand-Side Employment Placement Models
Syracuse University
900 South Crouse Ave.
Crouse-Hinds Hall 300
Syracuse, NY 13244
This project sets out scientifically rigorous and evidence-based methods to develop, identify and evaluate employment demand-side models. It translates the findings into valid and practical tools for large and small businesses in different market sectors to improve employment outcomes. It evaluates the relative efficacy of these tools alongside supply side research outcomes. The project is a nationwide collaboration of economists, statisticians and leading experts in law, public and disability policy, corporate culture, applied life studies, technology and education, as applied to disability employment policy and law. Project leadership includes disability scholars from universities around the country with combined decades of research, training and knowledge dissemination experience.
Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project: Improve the Employment Outcomes for the Low Functioning Deaf (LFD) Population (Begins Jan. 1, 2007)
University of Arkansas
26 Corporate Hill Dr.
Little Rock, AR 72205
This project conducts a program of theory-driven research to improve employment outcomes for the Low Functioning Deaf (LFD) population. The goals of the project are to: (1) develop a national profile of the state of the knowledge for services to persons who are LFD; (2) develop consensus on functional definitions of the target population using a concept mapping approach with knowledgeable providers who serve the population; (3) develop and validate a psychometrically sound tool to assess the functional characteristics of persons identified as LFD and to be used by partner states to develop a descriptive profile of the population; (4) replicate a systems level analysis of service delivery options available to the target population with key state partners; (5) assess barriers exhibited by LFD and pre-employment skills needed to enter the workforce; and (6) focus on best practices in job coaching to enhance workplace integration and job tenure.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment Policy and Individuals with Disabilities
Cornell University
ILR School
201 ILR Extension Building
Ithaca, NY 14853-3901
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment Policy for Persons with Disabilities is a collaboration between multiple departments at Cornell University, including the Employment and Disability Institute, Department of Policy Analysis and Management and the Institute for Policy Research. This center increases the employment and economic self-sufficiency of people with disabilities and improves the quality of their lives by contributing to the success of the transition from caretaker policies to economic self-sufficiency policies.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Substance Abuse, Disability and Employment
Wright State University
3171 Research Park Blvd., Room 255
Kettering, OH 45420
This RRTC builds on previous findings to positively impact persons with disabilities who also experience substance use disorders, as well as the service providers upon whom they depend. The highly integrated program of research addresses the following goals and objectives: (l) Promote widespread use of substance use disorder screening among persons with disabilities who utilize disability-related employment services; (2) Conduct a randomized clinical trial of a model of supported employment, Individualized Placement and Support (IPS), to test its efficacy among persons with traumatic brain injury or other severe disabilities that also have a substance use disorder; (3) Research policy and practices relative to their impact on VR services for persons with a disability and coexisting substance abuse. Serving as a critical complement to Rl, the roles of policies, statutes, guidelines and VR service delivery practices will be investigated within the larger community of public agencies; and (4) Investigate factors that specifically contribute to unsuccessful case closure among consumers of VR services. This component studies recent VR unsuccessful closures and their counselors, and the study has particular sensitivity to the role of “hidden” substance abuse among unsuccessful closures.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Workplace Supports and Job Retention
Virginia Commonwealth University
1314 West Main St., Box 842011
Richmond, VA 23284-2011
The purpose of the RRTC on Workplace Supports and Job Retention is to study those supports which are most effective in the workplace for assisting persons with disabilities to maintain employment and advance their careers. Research includes two long-term prospective randomized experimental control research projects: (1) determining the efficacy of public/private partnerships, and (2) determining the efficacy of business mentoring and career based interventions with college students with disabilities. The RRTC is partnered with Manpower, Inc., several community rehabilitation programs and the VCU Business Roundtable. Additional projects look at disability management practices, extended employment supports, job discrimination in employment retention, benefits planning and assistance and workplace supports. These studies are done in conjunction with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Society of Human Resource Professionals and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
University of Montana
52 Corbin Hall
Missoula, MT 59812-7056
The research conducted by this project improves the employment status of people with disabilities in the rural U.S., enhances their ability to live independently and advances the science of rural disability studies. Four core areas comprise 11 research projects in rural employment and economic development; rural health and disability; rural community transportation and independent living and rural policy foundations. Projects include: (1) develop scientific methods to measure how rural environments influence an individual’s community participation; (2) collaborate with very small rural businesses to employ people with disabilities; (3) improve rural transportation options; and (4) create programs to prevent or improve secondary conditions. Other projects explore ways for new partners, including faith-based organizations, to be involved in improving rural services. A training program disseminates research findings, trains students and sparks the creative engagement of policymakers and social advocates.
RRTC on Improving Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
University of Arkansas
26 Corporate Hill Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
This program conducts coordinated research and training to enhance the rehabilitation outcomes of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing who are served by VR and related employment programs. When appropriate, the unique needs of specific subgroups within this diverse and heterogeneous population are investigated. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to improve the capacity of the VR system and related programs to address the career preparation, entry, maintenance and advancement, as well as the community living needs, of the target population. Research activities include: investigating the impact of changes in federal employment and rehabilitation legislation and policy on the delivery of services to the target population; investigating the impact of business practices that contribute to accessible work and workplace supports to enhance the employment of the target population; and identifying, developing and assessing rehabilitation-related innovations that enhance employment and community living outcomes of the target population.
RRTC on Improving Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Severe Visual Impairments
Mississippi State University
P.O. Box 6189
Mississippi State, MS 39762
This program includes a variety of research and training activities that focus on improving VR services for individuals who are blind or have severe visual impairments. Activities include: (1) investigating and documenting the impact of changes in disability and employment legislation on the unique employment-related needs of individuals who are blind or have visual impairments, as well as their impact on service delivery options and policy; (2) investigating, documenting and analyzing existent state and federal data sets to determine different employment outcomes for persons who are blind or have visual impairments and the relationship of the outcomes to client and service provider characteristics; (3) investigating and documenting how state VR agencies, other public agencies, and private service providers overcome environmental barriers in order to improve employment outcomes for individuals who are blind or have visual impairments; (4) developing a national information and resource referral database for the training needs of state business enterprise program facilities, developing and delivering training programs to meet the identified training needs, and developing measures that can be used to evaluate the efficacy of the training; (5) conducting three conferences to train VR staff on state-of-the-art information and computer technology for individuals who are blind or have visual impairments; and (6) conducting a coordinated and advanced program of training in rehabilitation research focusing on blindness and low vision, including training in applied research methodology that is designed to increase the number of qualified doctoral-level researchers working in the area of blindness rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Improving Employment Outcomes
Hunter College of CUNY
695 Park Ave.
New York, NY 10021
This Employment Service Systems Research and Training Center develops, enhances and utilizes partnerships to improve the quality of employment services, opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities. Five research projects have been designed to meet this goal and examine partnerships across public agencies, between nonprofit and public agencies and between rehabilitation agencies and businesses.
Rehabilitation and Training Center on Community Integration of Persons with TBI
The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR)
2455 South Braeswood
Houston, TX 77030
The research program of this project includes: development and evaluation of a social network mentoring program; an investigation of racial/ethnic differences in acceptance of disability, community integration needs, barriers and supports; a distance learning program to train family members in rural areas as paraprofessionals; assessment of employers’ attitudes toward persons with TBI and a pilot educational intervention to reduce attitudinal barriers in the workplace; a randomized clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of a brief substance abuse intervention; a qualitative exploration of intimacy following TBI; and a study investigating the role of social communication abilities and environmental factors on social integration.
NIDRR Community Living
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Personal Assistance Services
University of California, San Francisco
3333 California St., Suite 455
San Francisco, CA 94118-0612
This project provides research, training, dissemination, and technical assistance on issues of personal assistance services (PAS) in the United States. Center projects focus on: (1) the relationship between formal and informal PAS and caregiving support, and the role of AT in complementing PAS; (2) policies and programs, barriers and new models for PAS in the home and community; (3) workforce development, recruitment, retention and benefits; and (4) workplace PAS models that eliminate barriers to formal and informal PAS and AT at work.
Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC/CL)
University of Minnesota
204 Pattee Hall, 150 Pillsbury Dr., SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
The Center conducts research, training, technical assistance and dissemination to enhance inclusion and self-determination of citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD). The research program has six outcome areas: policy studies, database supports for full participation, self-determination and consumer-control, workforce development and quality assessment and improvement systems. The research program within the priority areas includes: (1) research syntheses of the state of knowledge and practice; (2) secondary analyses of high quality, topically relevant national and state data sets; (3) case studies of best practices; (4) evaluation of demonstration efforts to improve policy and practice; (5) survey and interview studies of critical issues; and (6) group process studies with key constituencies. An integrated intramural training program addresses the development of skilled disability researchers and community service professionals.
NIDRR Information
NIDRR’s research addresses a broad range of technology, including systems of public technology, such as telecommunications and the built environment, and orphan technology for individuals. The research program also encourages universal design practices.
Employment Projects
NIDRR seeks to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities by funding research into the wide spectrum of employment and disability issues, including economics; federal, state and community employment programs; accommodation; technology; education; and ergonomics and the work environment.
National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research
The dissemination and utilization of research helps to ensure that people with disabilities become fully integrated and participating members of society. NIDRR’s dissemination and utilization efforts ensure the widespread distribution, in usable formats, of practical scientific and technological information generated by research, demonstration and related activities. NIDRR’s challenge is to reach diverse and changing populations, to present research results in many different and accessible formats and to use technology appropriately.
