Involvement of people with psychiatric disabilities in state agencies of vocational rehabilitation: State agency survey

Explored the state of the practice of the involvement of people with psychiatric disabilities in vocational rehabilitation agencies by examining the perceptions of state agency personnel regarding the types and levels of involvement by consumers in the state agencies through a survey of state agencies. This study also sought to test the relationship between specific client outcome data and the types and levels of involvement of consumers in the state agencies. Surveys were completed by 50 state agencies and the District of Columbia, from 1993-1994. The survey evaluated involvement on the individual, state and program levels, involvement roles, and barriers to and supports provided to facilitate involvement. Results show moderate to low consumer involvement in agency system, program, and individual service delivery activities. Less involvement of consumers was reported in roles related to service provision. Some survey items pertaining to consumer involvement in provision of direct services were correlated with successful rehabilitation outcome. No correlation was found between a composite score of all involvement strategies per state and rehabilitation outcomes. Data on a range of involvement activities and strategies and resulting conclusions are described