Purpose
The purpose of this project is to add a guided job-search component to an existing summer work experience program conducted by a vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency with youth in their local community, with the goal of improving job-search attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes for participating youth.
Research Questions
- Will participation in the guided job-search intervention result in increased job-search knowledge, job-search behavior, job-search self-efficacy, and perceived control over job outcomes for youth?
- Will any positive effects of participation in the guided job-search intervention on job-search knowledge, job-search behavior, job-search self-efficacy, and perceived control over job outcomes be maintained over time?
- Will guided job-search intervention participants have a greater number of (a) jobs applied for, (b) contacts with network to ask about jobs, (c) job interviews participated in, and (d) jobs obtained that are not VR or school sponsored compared to their peers who did not participate?
- Will guided job-search intervention participants be more likely to obtain employment after they complete their education?
- Are there differences in the effectiveness of the guided job-search intervention based on youth characteristics?
Study Summary
Many studies have found that high school work experience is predictive of obtaining employment later in life for youth with disabilities, including youth with B/VI. Unfortunately, youth with B/VI are less likely to obtain work experience while in high school and are less likely to be employed after leaving high school compared to the general youth population and youth with other types of disabilities. Perhaps because youth often do not obtain early paid work experiences, many VR and private agencies currently facilitate short work experiences for these youth. Our research indicates that these sponsored work experiences are not associated with later employment for this population and that it is more beneficial for youth to find jobs on their own.
This intervention efficacy project expands an existing summer work experience program administered by the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) by adding an innovative, research-based, guided job-search intervention. This five-day intervention includes both group sessions and individual activities. The curriculum is based on two existing job-search programs that have extensive evidence supporting their effectiveness. NRTC researchers expanded this curriculum to include additional content for youth with B/VI in areas such as nonverbal communication, disclosing a visual impairment to an employer, and identifying accommodations for jobs. The intervention was implemented by the ADRS, and the NRTC provided the curriculum, materials, one day of in-person training for the trainers, and support. A quasi-experimental, repeated-measures design will be used to evaluate the job-search intervention. A comparison group participated in the existing six-week summer work experience program, while an intervention group received the guided job-search intervention prior to participating in the regular program. Participants in both groups will complete a pretest and three posttests, which measure job-search knowledge, job-search behaviors, self-efficacy, perceived control over job-search outcomes, and job attainment. The project was implemented with youth who signed up for the summer work experience program during the summers of 2016 and 2017.
Expected Outcomes and Benefits
This project will provide insight into effective curricula and programs VR agencies can use to improve job-search attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes for youth with B/VI.
Project Outputs
Cmar, J. L., & McDonnall, M. C. (2022). Impact of a summer work experience program on employment outcomes for youth who are blind or have low vision. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 57, 165–175.
Cmar, J. L., & Steverson, A. (2021). Job-search activities, job-seeking barriers, and work experiences of transition-age youths with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 115(6), 479-492.
Cmar, J. L., & McDonnall, M. C. (2021). Long-term effects of a job search intervention for transition-age youth with visual impairments. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 55(1), 91-105.
Cmar, J. L., & McDonnall, M. C. (2021). Short-term effectiveness of job search skills training: Comparisons by summer work experience participation. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 64(2), 86-96.
Online Course: National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. (2020). Job Search Skill Training for Transition-aged Youth. [Curriculum].
Steverson, A. (2020). The value of job search skills training for teens and young adults. Future Reflections, 39(3).
Cmar, J. L., & McDonnall, M. C. (2020). A curriculum for teaching job search skills to youth with visual impairments. Visual Impairment and Deafblind Education Quarterly, 65(2), 74-86.
Cmar, J. L. (Director). (2020). Preparing for a video interview: Unprepared applicant [Film]. National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University. https://www.blind.msstate.edu/our-products/transition-resources
Cmar, J. L. (Director). (2020). Preparing for a video interview: Prepared applicant [Film]. National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, Mississippi State University. https://www.blind.msstate.edu/our-products/transition-resources
Online Course: National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. (2020). Putting your best foot forward: Job search skills training for youth with visual impairments. [Curriculum].
Cmar, J. L. (2019). Unintended consequences of repeated sponsored work experiences for youths with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 113(6), 566-568.
Fact Sheet: National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. (2019). Yes, you can work and still receive SSI! [Fact sheet].
Fact Sheet: National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. (2019). Yes, your child can work and still receive SSI! [Fact sheet].
Cmar, J. L., & McDonnall, M. C. (2019). Effectiveness of a job search training program for youth with visual impairments. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 42(4), 214-224.
Principal Researcher
Jennifer Cmar
Project Updates
This research project is sponsored by a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant #90RT5040). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this webpage do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.