This article describes an experimental training program to increase
knowledge, confidence, and participation in the Americans with Disabilities
Act's Title I accommodation request process among employees who are blind or
visually impaired (
$N=46$
). Participants in the experimental
condition (
$n=23$
) completed a structured interview to
identify their needs for reasonable accommodations, received detailed
information about Title I provisions and about national accommodation
resources, and completed an intensive social competence/self-advocacy program
to develop skills in requesting on-the-job accommodations from their employers.
Compared to a matched and randomly assigned control group
(
$n=23$
), experimental participants were significantly more
knowledgeable, confident, and active in the accommodation request process at a
16-week follow-up. Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation policy and
practice are also discussed.
