Informing the development of employment programs for persons with disabilities: A case study analysis of the definitions,uses and implications of the idea of suitable employment

Abstract

Persons with disabilities may be involved with a number of public programs that use the idea of "suitable employment" to determine initial eligibility for services, guide service delivery planning, assess program compliance, and/or provide guidelines for case closure. Using documentary and interview data, the author conducts an embedded case study analysis of unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, and welfare programs across three states to provide insight into variations in definitions and uses of the idea of suitable employment. The author discusses implications for developing employment programs for persons with disabilities.