ACCESS-PD includes four research projects that explore different factors that impact employment success. Each of the projects will make use of a common, omnibus survey that will enable the projects to leverage their data sets.
 

• R1. Longitudinal Study: The Impact of AT & Accommodations on Employment
  Project Director: Salimah LaForce
  This project will conduct a longitudinal study of the effectiveness of AT and workplace accommodations on the employment outcomes of people with physical disabilities in traditional and contingent employment work arrangements.
   
• R2. Contingent Employment Experiences among Marginalized Individuals with Physical Disabilities
  Project Director: Fran Harris
  This project is an exploratory study of workforce participation, accommodation use, and employment outcomes for racial/ethnic minorities in non-traditional (contingent) employment positions. Historically, these groups have not been sufficiently represented in research studies.  By examining employment practices more fully within these marginalized communities, we hope to promote more effective policies that will enhance employment outcomes.
  • Research Opportunity : The impact of assistive technologies and accommodations on the non-traditional employment outcomes of people with physical/motor disabilities from Minoritized Populations 
    
    We are recruiting Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people with physical/motor disabilities to share their experiences with non-traditional jobs (e.g., freelance, contract, temporary, etc.). We want to understand how assistive technology and/or accommodations impact employment outcomes for minoritized populations. We will interview participants over Zoom or by telephone. The interview will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for you and will take approximately 90 minutes. You will receive $50 as compensation for your time.   
     
    Who can participate? To participate in the study, you must be:   
    • 18 years of age or older   
    • Be fluent in English or be an ASL-user   
    • Have an upper and/or lower body physical motor disability  
    • Use assistive technology and/or accommodations for work  
    • Be employed in a nontraditional job(s)  
    • Currently work in the U.S.  
       
      To be considered, please complete the screening questionnaire. We use this screening tool to ensure that we have a group of diverse participants.   
      Screening Link
       
• R3. Impact of Government Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Policies on Employment Outcomes
  Project Director: Fran Harris
  Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) policies only provide DME that is medically necessary in the home, ignoring vocational needs. This project will explore the facilitators and barriers to employment that are presented by the interaction between DME devices and features, and personal and environmental factors.
   
• R4. Evaluation of the Use of Accommodation Decision Tools by VR Counselors
  This project will conduct efficacy studies on two interventions:
  • R4a. The Work ACCESS online accommodation assessment tool. Learn more about Work ACCESS.  (Project Director: Karen Milchus)
    • Research Opportunity: Focus Groups on Use of Work ACCESS within the VR System
      We are recruiting people to provide feedback on a new workplace accommodation tool, Work ACCESS.  If you are a VR counselor, assistive technology provider, or current or previous VR client who is familiar with the workplace accommodation needs of people with physical disabilities, we would want to get your input about how the tool might be within the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system, particularly for people with physical disabilities.  You will be asked to try Work ACCESS and answer a few questions about the experience (about 45 minutes).  Next, you will be asked to provide your comments and insights during a virtual focus group meeting (1.25 to 1.5 hours). We will compensate you $50 for your participation.
    • To participate in the study, you must:
      •    Have experience using, recommending, or approving workplace accommodations for people with physical disabilities
      •    Have experience with the United States’ VR system as a VR counselor, assistive technology provider, or current or previous VR client
      •    Be 18 years of age or older
      •    Be living in the USA
      •    Be comfortable sharing your thoughts in spoken or written English.
    • If you would be interested in participating, please contact:
      Karen Milchus - access-pd@design.gatech.edu
      Phone: 404-894-0393
       
  • R4b. The Continuum of AT Mastery (CATM) tool for evaluating an individual’s mastery of their AT. Learn more about the CATM.  (Project Director: Ben Satterfield).