Disability Diversity Training in the Workplace: Systematic Review and Future Directions.

Purpose Misinformation and negative attitudes toward disability contribute to lower employment rates among people with disabilities. Diversity training is an intervention intended to improve intergroup relations and reduce prejudice. We conducted a systematic review to determine the use and effectiveness of disability diversity training aimed at improving employment outcomes for employees with disabilities. Methods Five databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies of disability diversity training interventions provided within the workplace. Studies identified for inclusion were assessed for quality of methodology. Results Of the total of 1322 articles identified by the search, three studies met the criteria for inclusion. Two of the three articles focused specifically on training to improve outcomes related to workplace injuries among existing employees. The other study provided an initial test of a more general disability diversity training program. Conclusions There is currently a lack of empirically validated diversity training programs that focus specifically on disability. A number of disability diversity trainings and resources exist, but none have been well researched. Related literature on diversity training and disability awareness suggests the possibility for enhancing diversity training practices through training design, content, participant, and outcomes considerations. By integrating best practices in workplace diversity training with existing disability training resources, practitioners and researchers may be able to design effective disability diversity training programs.

Communities of practice to improve employment outcomes: a needs assessment.

PURPOSE: Communities of practice (CoPs) offer a promising strategy to improve communication among various professionals committed to advancing employment outcomes for people with disabilities. CoPs also provide a tool for professionals to share knowledge and resources related to the Americans with Disabilities Act and job accommodations. METHODS: The current study conducted four focus groups with human resource (HR) professionals and vocational rehabilitation professionals to fully assess the need for this CoP. Coding and memoing were the two data analysis strategies employed in this study. RESULTS: Results indicate a strong interest in developing a CoP to assist with employment concerns for people with disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: HR professionals report a need for current, relevant information on this topic, and participants outline guidelines for developing the CoP and building useful content areas.

Predicting quality of life in adults with severe mental illness: Extending the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework was used to investigate person-environment contextual factors, mental functioning, activity limitations, and participation as predictors of quality of life (QoL) in adults with severe mental illness (SMI). RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: A quantitative descriptive design using multiple regression and correlational analyses was used. One hundred ninety-four individuals with SMI from 4 community-based mental health agencies in 2 states from Southern and Midwestern regions of the United States participated in the study. The criterion variable was QoL. Predictor variables comprised the ICF constructs: (a) demographics, (b) personal factors, (c) environmental factors, (d) mental functioning, (e) activity limitations, and (f) participation. RESULTS: A majority of participants were White (60.3%) and not employed (59.8%). Half of them received Social Security Disability Income and/or Supplemental Security Income (50.0%). Correlations between QoL and the predictor variables ranged from small to large (r = .01 to .63, respectively). The final regression model accounted for 58% of the variance in QoL. After controlling for other factors, social competency, social support, societal stigma, psychological distress, cognitive dysfunction, activity limitations, and participation were found to be significant predictors of QoL in adults with SMI. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The study supports the use of the ICF to predict QoL for adults with SMI. Evidence-based treatments focused on increasing social competence, social support, and participation should be developed to promote rehabilitation outcomes and overall QoL.

Stages of change and physical activity among individuals with severe mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: To apply the constructs of the transtheoretical model (TTM) of change to understand physical activity among individuals with severe mental illness. METHOD: Predictions of stages of change of physical activity and self-reported physical activity were investigated among 92 adults with severe mental illness, using cognitive and behavioral processes of change, self-efficacy, and perceived pros and cons of exercise as predictors. RESULTS: Separate logistic regression analyses for adjacent pairs of stages indicated that 33% of the variance was accounted for when predicting preparation versus action/maintenance stages, with behavioral processes making a significant unique contribution to prediction. A multiple-regression analysis was conducted to examine prediction of self-reported physical activity on the basis of all of the TTM measures, and the full model accounted for nearly 27% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that TTM constructs hold promise in understanding physical activity of people with severe mental illness with significant implications for clinical practice and future research.