1	Vocational Assessment WSRD Steven R. Sligar, Ed.D. Center for Sight & Hearing 625 Adams Street Rockford, IL 61107 815-965-4454 v/tty ssligar@rockfordcenter.org
2	Today Philosophy of evaluation Uses of evaluation Tools used by evaluators The Report
3	Definition of Disability Impairment Disability Handicap Accommodation World Health Organization (1980)
4	New Definition 4 Factors related to the Individual 9 Factors related to the Environment National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research, 1998
5	Individual Factors Personal Biology Behavior Resources
6	Factors Related to the Environment Natural Cultural Engineered environments Therapeutic modalities Health care delivery systems Social institutions Macro-economy Policy & law Resources Opportunities
7	Conflicting models Medical model Disability is deficiency or abnormality Being disabled is negative Disability resides in the individual Interactional model Disability is difference Being disabled in itself is neutral Disability is from the interaction of the individual & society
8	Medical vs. Interactional
9	Medical vs. Interactional The remedy for disability-related problems is cure or normalization of the individual The remedy for disability-related problems is a change in the interaction between the individual & society
10	Medical vs. Interactional The agent of remedy is the professional © Carol Gill Chicago Center of Disability Research The agent of remedy can be the individual, an advocate or anyone who affects the arrangements between the individual & society
11	Paradigm Shift Medical model Focus on the individual & the impairment Solution is to serve or accommodate Interactional model Focus on the relationship of the individual in environment Solution occurs within the environment
12	Nature of Vocational Assessment Assess
13	Nature of Vocational Assessment Predict
14	Nature of Vocational Assessment Capacity Objectively measured Examples worker traits coordination dexterity Capability Subjectively measured Examples generalization transferability skill development
15	Nature of Vocational Assessment Diagnosis What is? Examples specific behavior learning style Prognosis What may be? Examples probability of success motivation to complete
16	2 Types of Technology Assess Capacities of individuals and Diagnose vocational assets and limitations
17	2 Types of Technology Predict Capabilities of individuals at work and offer Prognosis as to work success
18	3 Levels of Vocational Assessment Screening Clinical Vocational Evaluation
19	Level 1 Screening Interviews Normed aptitude tests Physical abilities tests vision strength dexterity Achievement tests
20	Level 2 Clinical Detailed personal history Secure/synthesize other professional reports 1:1 interaction with the individual
21	Level 3 Vocational Evaluation Use of previous levels Use of simulated work Placement try-outs Use of different settings (work, home, school or community)
22	Deafness Implications Screening--least impacted Clinical--need for a skilled clinician Vocational Evaluation--Skilled evaluator with valid technology
23	Your Readiness as an Evaluator Cross training X 3 Discipline of vocational evaluation Communication skills Deafness
24	How is evaluation used? Different needs by different roles Individual with a disability Counselor or funding source Job placement specialist Family or significant others Advocates
25	Tools of the Evaluator Formal or informal?
26	The Tools Formal Based on science Standardized Instructions Norms Reliable Valid Ecological Based in the situation Individualized in the environment Changes with new data True for the individual
27	Tools Formal Tests Work Samples Commercial Center developed Results Certification focused Ecological Interview forms Checklists Behavioral recording Rich descriptions Results Intervention focused
28	Commercial Vocational Evaluation Systems Deafness Considerations Standardization Interpreting difficulty Comparative information (norms)
29	From Oliver Sachs… What is this man’s life? So we went outside. I saw him in the street, in the world. Then I understood him better.
30	Ecological Evaluation Observation Checklist Protocol Interview Form Key questions Environment Supports
31	The Assessment Consumer Communication Profile Communication Environment Consumer-Environment Match Interventions and Natural Supports
32	The Report Stand alone Organization Utility
33	Organization Identifying Information Demographic Reason for the evaluation Sources of information Materials reviewed Techniques
34	Background Identifying statement Anecdotal Information Medical Social Technology Education/Training Vocational Communication
35	Behavioral Observations Personal Social Mobility
36	Work Behaviors Attendance Punctuality Work quality Work quantity Supervisor relations Co-worker relations Job tolerance Job flexibility Safety Rule compliance
37	Communication Expressive Primary Secondary Receptive Primary Secondary Work instructions
38	Summary Strengths Areas for improvement
39	Recommendations Medical Independence Technology Communication Training Placement Other
40	Thanks
41	This Workshop Was Sponsored by the WROCC Outreach site at Western Oregon University the Outreach Site at the Center for Sight & Hearing in Rockford, IL and the Midwest Center for Postsecondary Outreach at St. Paul Technical College, St. Paul, Minnesota.