An Online, Video-Based Job Preference Program for Youth/Adults with Disabilities Robert Morgan Becky Morgan Utah State University

This presentation will describe YES (Your Employment Selections), a web-based program for identifying job preferences for youth and adults with developmental disabilities. presents video of 120 entry-level jobs and allows individuals with disabilities to select preferred ones. Also, the program assesses degree of match between skill profile and preferred jobs.

At see How the Program Works How the Program Works What People are Saying What People are Saying Who’s Using YES, and Who’s Using YES, and Free Demo. Free Demo.

The YES Program is Based on the Self- Determination Philosophy Scholars advocate self-determination in employment for individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g., Agran, Blanchard, & Wehmeyer, 2000). Many authors (e.g., Bissonnette, 1994; Field, Martin, Miller, Ward, & Wehmeyer, 1998) advocate self- selected employment by individuals with disabilities based on informed decisions. Preferences serve as one key ingredient to determining successful employment.

Self-Determination Legislative mandates have emphasized the importance of acknowledging preferences in employment for individuals with disabilities: The 2004 Re-authorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Workforce Investment Act of 1998 Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments of 1992

How Do Individuals with Disabilities Select Preferred Employment? Information from family and friends (Wehmeyer & Schwartz, 1997) Career education programs (Brolin, 1997) Community-based job samples (Wehman, 1992) Vocational interest inventories -Reading-Free Vocational Interest Inventory (Becker, 2000) -Wide Range Interest Opinion Test (Jastak & Jastak, 2005) -Self-Directed Search, 4 th Ed. (Holland, 2000) Video-based interest inventories -WorkSight (Stock, Davies, Secor, & Wehmeyer, 2003) -Choose and Take Action (Martin, Huber-Marshall, Wray, Wells, O’Brien, Heslin-Olvey, & Johnson, 2004)

What Do Job Seekers with Developmental Disabilities Need? INFORMATION presented in a context consistent with their capacity to understand Video-based programs may assist in efficiently delivering information to promote decision making -Show pace, actions, noise level, number of people, and social interaction involved in a work place

The Web-Based Job Preference Program Presents motion video (2-4 minutes from community employment settings) representing each of 120 jobs Requires little or no reading (job tasks are described by narrator) Provides opportunities for youth and adults with developmental disabilities to gather information and select preferred employment Offers resources for a facilitator (such as a transition teacher, vocational rehabilitation counselor, or family member) and participant OUTCOME: A targeted list of 5-10 consistently selected jobs to guide participant’s transition/supported employment planning

Is Now Available in Two Formats YES! Is Now Available in Two Formats

What Are The Computer Requirements Recommended for the YES Program? PC Computer. There is currently no support for the Macintosh platform because of browser and video streaming issues Internet Explorer, version 6 or higher with javascript enabled Windows Media Player version 9 or higher Macromedia Flash Player 6 or higher High speed internet connection capable of streaming motion video PC Computer. There is currently no support for the Macintosh platform. Quick Time 4.0 or newer 24 speed CD-Rom Drive 256 MHz processor 64 mg. RAM Computer monitor with minimum screen resolution of 600 x 800 Internet Version CD-Rom Version

The YES WEBSITE   Current technology allows for smooth delivery over the internet   Creates increased flexibility, versatility, and accessibility   Enables customized search based on job titles, work conditions, job characteristics, etc   Reduces costs to individual consumers through nominal site access fee

Two Approaches to Searching Jobs Search by Work Conditions Allows participants to select jobs based on preferred work environments Search by Job Tasks Allows participants to select jobs based on preferred work tasks

Job Task Decisions Animal Care Auto Repair/Cleaning Children: Service & Supervision Cleaning Computer Use Crops and Plants Customer Assistance Electrical Installation/Repair Merchandise Office Painting or Building Telephone Food Prep Heavy Equipment Operation Human Services Mechanical Repair

Job Matching Definition: An assessment of job seeker characteristics in relation to job requirements (Ellis, Rusch, Tu, & McCaughrin, 1990; Trach, 1990). The YES program starts with identification of preferences but then assesses skill levels relative to “importance dimensions” for preferred jobs.

Job Matching Assessment For each YES job, the developer used O*NET information to create 106 knowledge, skill, and ability dimensions (e.g., Active Listening/Active Learning, Critical Thinking, Stamina, Following Instructions). For each YES job, the developer used O*NET information to create 106 knowledge, skill, and ability dimensions (e.g., Active Listening/Active Learning, Critical Thinking, Stamina, Following Instructions). ONET has assigned an “importance” rating for each of these dimensions for each job. The ratings are different across jobs (e.g., Critical Thinking for Computer Repairer =.90; for Asphalt Paver =.20) ONET has assigned an “importance” rating for each of these dimensions for each job. The ratings are different across jobs (e.g., Critical Thinking for Computer Repairer =.90; for Asphalt Paver =.20)

Job Matching Outcome A teacher, transition specialist, or other stakeholder rates a job seeker’s skill levels on 106 dimensions. The program multiplies skill ratings by importance levels and creates a job matching score for each preferred job. The OUTCOME is a listing of the degree to which skills match three preferred jobs along with strengths and weaknesses for the best matched job.

Creating an Account Subscriptions can be ordered through TRISPED Projects at or go to Cost is $20 for 3 months (90 days)

Thanks! For more information…   Visit   Call toll free at   Log onto Becky Morgan TRI-SPED Human Services Research Center Utah State University Logan, UT Bob Morgan Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Utah State University Logan, UT