This paper describes the impact of disability in Australia on earning and learning. The report is based on the official statistics on Disability Ageing and Carers by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Whilst 67.9% of those aged 15–64 years without a reported disability complete Year 12 only 43.6% of those with a disability complete the highest level of secondary schooling. In the labor market, the participation rate is lower for persons with a disability (53.4%) compared to 84.1% for those without a disability. Even when people with disabilities are ready to work it is accompanied by a higher rate of unemployment (10.3%) compared with 4.6% for those without a disability. Whilst general labor force participation has increased from 2003 to 2018 the labor force participation of persons with a disability has remained stubbornly constant. Furthermore, the unemployment rate for person with a disability has increased markedly from 2009 while that for persons without a disability has decreased. When the influence of all these factors is combined there is an overwhelming landscape of disadvantage within which a person with a disability has to navigate an educational and vocational pathway.

People with visual impairments experience various challenges in the workplace such as under-employment, structural, and attitudinal barriers. Workplace accommodations are instrumental in assisting individuals to complete essential functions of their jobs and to increase job tenure and satisfaction. However, workplace accommodations are under-utilized. The current study examined influences of psychosocial and demographic factors on decisions to request accommodations amongst people with visual impairments. Participants included 116 people with visual impairments (e.g., female = 63.9%, Caucasian = 81%) from agencies and organizations serving people with visual impairments within United States. The results following logistic regression show that increased levels of psychosocial factors (i.e., self-efficacy in requesting accommodations and goal setting, non-personal cost related to accommodation, knowledge related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and accommodation policies and procedures) predicted participants’ decision to request accommodations. In addition, participants aged 55 or more and those with a high school degree or lower were less likely to request accommodations. Rehabilitation interventions for enhancing work participation self-efficacy in employees with visual impairment, as well as knowledge on ADA and accommodation policies and procedures, would create a more inclusive and accepting work environment for employees with visual impairment.

This is a systematic review of systematic reviews of secondary health conditions, health promotion interventions, and employment in people with intellectual disabilities. Articles were included if they reported a systematic review of health and employment, secondary health conditions, and health promotion interventions for people with intellectual disabilities. The methodological quality of the included reviews was reviewed using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews quality rating system, a measurement tool to assess systematic reviews. Twenty-five systematic reviews were included. There was evidence that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) were at elevated risk for secondary health conditions, health promotion interventions can improve physical and mental health conditions, and employment is associated with better health-related quality of life. Health promotion intervention to help people with ID engage in health promoting behaviors can improve health and their ability to find and maintain employment.

This study investigated the efficacy of a combined modified cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) approach on motivating persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) in obtaining employment. The sample consisted of a total of 52 individuals with ID who were clients of an independent vocational-rehabilitation services provider (females = 42%; males = 58%), ranging in age from 19 to 47. They were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 26) and a control group (n = 26). The intervention group received a combined modified CBT and MI intervention and the control group a fact sheet on career-dysfunctional thoughts and lack of motivation to obtain employment. Outcome measures comprised a career-dysfunctional thoughts scale and employment seeking action scale. Results indicated that the intervention group reported higher motivation in obtaining employment than the control. Practitioners seeking to improve employment prospects for persons with ID should consider the use of a combined modified CBT and MI intervention for increasing the chances of employment seeking by people with ID.

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and musculoskeletal system disorders and kinesiophobia levels. Eighty-four participants (41 diabetics and 43 nondiabetic individuals) self-reported their musculoskeletal problems and levels of kinesiophobia. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, nonparametric Pearson’s Chi-Square testing, and Mann–Whitney U test. Results indicated the total Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire score was 190.55 ± 261.56 for the patients with T2DM and 98.11 ± 167.31 for the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale scores were higher for the T2DM group (p < 0.05). We conclude from these findings that T2DM is associated with a higher frequency of musculoskeletal system disorders and higher levels of kinesiophobia.

Youth with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders are at higher risk for vocational rehabilitation exclusion. This study aimed to (a) explore the personal factors associated with vocational outcomes of youth with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders and (b) highlight services that have shown the greatest promise for this population in the state-federal rehabilitation program in the United States. Our analytic sample was extracted from the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Case Service Report data set for 2013, 2014, and 2015 fiscal years. Multiple regression analyses results identified personal factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, level of education, and severity of disability as predictors of the achievement of competitive employment, hours worked, and income. The receipt of vocational rehabilitation services such as job search support, job placement assistance, vocational training, and on-the-job support are significantly associated with the achievement of competitive employment, higher work hours, and income. These finding have implications for vocational rehabilitation practice as they highlight who is at higher risk for poor outcomes, effective services, and additional factors to consider when working with youth with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders.

The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of complementary and integrative health (CIH) use among adults with a racial/ethnic minority background and a mental illness. A secondary data analysis of 2017 National Health Interview Survey (N = 793) was conducted using chi-square, multivariate logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression. Overall, Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latinx groups remained the least proportional of CIH therapies utilization. Being a male, Black/African American or Latinx/Hispanic and had work experience were predictors of the least use of the CIH therapies. Research is needed to bridge the gaps on the CIH use among a racial/ethnic minority with mental illness and to enhance the equitable and collaborative mental health care in the community.

We aimed to explore personal factors in use of rehabilitation counseling and mental health services by Māori adults. Participants were three Māori adults (females = 2, residing in major urban settings, age range 45–50 years old; male = 1, residing in a rural setting, age range = 25–30 years old). Thematic analysis yielded the following findings: (a) a preference of Māori service providers who understand whānau culture, (b) an understanding of whakapapa or the family structure as an integral source of social support as counselors are planning for treatment, (c) establishing and maintaining trusting relationships within the Māori community by non-Māori counselors, (d) having financial difficulties when attempting to access rehabilitation resources, (e) limited access to health care facilities and services or lack of information about the services available, and (f) a general mistrust of government operated systems. Rehabilitation and mental health services with Māori should address personal cultural and systemic exclusion factors for better service engagement.

Starting with World War I, Australia and the United States have been allies in military operations. Since then, both countries have been challenged by meeting the needs of military personnel incurring traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially during recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. TBI impacts all members of the veteran’s family. This paper articulates the shared responsibility both countries assume in meeting the support needs faced by families of military veterans with TBI and how TBI in the military is different than in the civilian population. The paper describes how both countries differently address the needs of family caregivers of veterans with TBI and outlines areas for rehabilitation counselor collaborations in research and training.