| Abstract: | ABSTRACT Individuals with significant mental disabilities (SMD) frequently have scattered work histories (Finch, 1997; Tan, 1996). Often the SMD consumer is unable to find competitive employment or, if a job is secured, termination repeatedly ensues because of impaired interpersonal skills, faulty behaviors such as the inability to interact with coworkers, inadequate follow-through such as not reporting to work, and poor hygiene (Tan, 1996). The services provided to SMD consumers in this study were designed to address a cadre of support needs that would foster job retention and increase the number of successful employment closures. This cross-sectional exploratory study sampled 211 SMD consumers who received vocational rehabilitation support services through a vocational rehabilitation center in Columbus, Ohio. The SMD consumers sampled experienced both successful and unsuccessful employment closures. |
