Access Type

Open Access Dissertation

Date of Award

January 2012

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Counselor Education

First Advisor

George P. Parris

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship between the rehabilitation counselors' level of knowledge, attitudes towards reasonable accommodations and job development efficacy. The more knowledgeable rehabilitation counselors are about ADA, reasonable accommodations, and their attitude toward job development, the less likely their attitudes will be expected to fluctuate. In addition, there has been very little research in terms of evaluating rehabilitation counselor's level of job placement efficacy. A survey-based design was utilized to create both a quantitative description of knowledge of the ADA, beliefs about reasonable accommodations and job placement efficacy and qualitative information concerning the barriers to job placement outcomes and enhancements needed to assist rehabilitation counselors in working with employers. The self-report survey instruments were e-mailed to 1,000 rehabilitation counselors listed on a national database maintained by the Commission for Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC®). A statistically significant negative correlation was obtained for the ADA Knowledge Survey (N = 114) and Disability Questionnaire (N = 113) which can be described as a subtle but detectable correlation. This negative correlation indicated increases in the respondents' knowledge of the ADA were associated with less reasonable attitudes toward reasonable accommodation. The study found Licensure/Certification to be a significant predictor of respondents' knowledge of the ADA and attitudes toward reasonable accommodation. The research found no statistically significant difference in gender and attitudes toward reasonable accommodation and no specific demographic characteristic was found to make statistically significant contribution to predicting respondents' job development efficacy. Counselor Preparation (36.8%) was the largest percentage theme for enhancements to increase rehabilitation counselors comfort level in assisting employers with job placement, Partnering between Stakeholders (33.3%) was second, and the least was Education and Skill Enhancement (1.7%). Interpretations and generalizations should be made with caution. Despite the statistical and non-statistical findings, future research to determine rehabilitation counselors' knowledge of ADA, attitudes toward reasonable accommodation, and job development efficacy is warranted as the number of persons with disabilities increases.

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