Funding employment inclusion for Ontario youth with disabilities: a theoretical cost-benefit model.

Early engagement in employment-related activities is associated with greater lifetime labor force attachment, which correlates with positive health, social, and quality of life outcomes. People with disabilities often require vocational intervention to enter and remain in the workforce and reap the employment-related health and social benefits. Their labor force attachment brings about the added societal-level benefits of increased tax contributions and reduced social assistance funding.

Putting Youth in Charge: Exploring a Multi-Year Interagency Community Engagement Experiential Programme for Youth with Disabilities and Their Families.

This paper outlines a qualitative exploration of the experiences of Youth in Charge (YiC), a 3-year pilot programme. YiC was designed to promote early, immersive community participation for students with physical disabilities, and was co-developed/co-hosted by three agencies (hospital, community rehabilitation, school board). To better understand the experiences of the youth, parents, and staff involved in this broad intervention, observation of 10 programme sessions and annual semi-structured interviews with youth ( = 5), parents ( = 4) and staff ( = 6) were undertaken.

A case study of a strategic initiative in pediatric rehabilitation transition services: An insiders' perspective on team principles and practices.

Aims: The aim was to describe an innovative initiative that took place in a pediatric rehabilitation hospital. The goal of this organization-wide strategic initiative, called the Transition Strategy, was to improve service delivery to children/youth with disabilities and their families at times of life transition. The research question was: What are the key elements that have contributed to the success of the Strategy, from the perspective of team members? The objectives were to describe: (a) the guiding principles underlying team functioning and team practices, (b) key enablers of positive team functioning, (c) the nature of effective team practices, and (d) lessons learned.

The creation and implementation of an employment participation pathway model for youth with disabilities.

Purpose: Employment participation offers benefits including income, sense of accomplishment, social engagement, and meaningful contribution to society. Rates of competitive employment of youth with disabilities are amongst the lowest in society, despite having capacity and motivation to participate in the workplace. The marginalization of young workers with disability presents a lost opportunity for youth, potential employers, and social care systems.

Program factors influencing parents' engagement in a friendship-making intervention for youth with disabilities.

Purpose: The aim was to examine parents' experiences of engagement in a friendship-making intervention for youth with physical and developmental disabilities.

Method: This mixed methods study used a convergent parallel design where quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently, analyzed independently, and then merged into an overall interpretation. Four parents completed the Pediatric Rehabilitation Intervention Measure of Engagement-Parent version at four points during the 8-week program.

Investigating a Participation-Based Friendship Intervention for Youth with Disabilities: Effects on Goal Attainment, Social Self-Efficacy, and Engagement.

This preliminary study examined the effects of a participation-based friendship intervention for youth with physical and developmental disabilities on their goal attainment, social self-efficacy, and engagement in program sessions. Before and after the eight-session intervention, five youth with physical and developmental disabilities ages 15-20 (3 females) completed a measure of goal attainment scaling (GAS) and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) for goals related to friendship, along with a measure of social self-efficacy. Engagement was assessed after every second session (i.

Applying an ecological framework to understand transition pathways to post-secondary education for youth with physical disabilities.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of youth with physical disabilities and clinicians who support them in their transition to post-secondary education (PSE). Most research on transition to PSE has focused on youth with intellectual disabilities while there is a lack of research on youth with physical disabilities.

Methods: This study drew on 30 interviews with 20 youth with disabilities and 10 clinicians.

Optimizing engagement in goal pursuit with youth with physical disabilities attending life skills and transition programs: an exploratory study.

Purpose: Identify strategies youth perceive will optimize their engagement in goal pursuit in life skills and transition programs using an engagement framework involving affective, cognitive, and behavioral components.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven youth.

Exploring employment readiness through mock job interview and workplace role-play exercises: comparing youth with physical disabilities to their typically developing peers.

Purpose: To assess performance differences in a mock job interview and workplace role-play exercise for youth with disabilities compared to their typically developing peers.

Methods: We evaluated a purposive sample of 31 youth (15 with a physical disability and 16 typically developing) on their performance (content and delivery) in employment readiness role-play exercises.

Results: Our findings show significant differences between youth with disabilities compared to typically developing peers in several areas of the mock interview content (i.

An ecological approach to understanding barriers to employment for youth with disabilities compared to their typically developing peers: views of youth, employers, and job counselors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the extent to which youth with physical disabilities encounter different barriers to finding employment compared to their typically developing peers.

Methods: This study draws on 50 qualitative in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 31 youth (16 typically developing and 15 with a disability), and youth employers and job counselors knowledgeable about employment readiness among adolescents (n = 19). We utilize Bronfrebrenner's ecological framework to reveal the complex web of factors shaping youth's labor market outcomes.

A systematic review of self-management interventions for children and youth with physical disabilities.

Purpose: Evidence shows that effective self-management behaviors have the potential to improve health outcomes, quality of life, self-efficacy and reduce morbidity, emergency visits and costs of care. A better understanding of self-management interventions (i.e.

Disclosure, accommodations and self-care at work among adolescents with disabilities.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore whether adolescents with disabilities disclose their condition and what types of accommodations are requested at work.

Method: In-depth, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 adolescents with a physical and/or mobility-related disability. We also reviewed their self- and staff assessments completed throughout an employment training program in which they took part.

Skill development in an employment-training program for adolescents with disabilities.

Purpose: Relatively little is known about the first employment experiences and skill development of youth with disabilities. The purpose of this study is to explore the skills gained by adolescents with disabilities who have completed an employment-training program.

Methods: In-depth, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 adolescents with a physical and/or mobility-related disability.