DDA Vocational Training & Supported Employment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of supported employment for individuals with developmental disabilities?
- To place individuals in sheltered workshops away from the general workforce
- To help individuals obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment with individualized supports (Correct answer)
- To provide day programming that simulates work tasks in a clinical setting
- To train individuals in a single skill set for a predetermined job type
Correct answer: To help individuals obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment with individualized supports
Supported employment aims to help individuals with developmental disabilities obtain and maintain real jobs in integrated settings alongside non-disabled coworkers, with individualized ongoing supports.
Question 2: Which federal law most directly prohibits employment discrimination against individuals with developmental disabilities and requires reasonable accommodations?
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (Correct answer)
- The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act
Correct answer: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
The ADA prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in employment and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations.
Question 3: What is the primary role of a job coach in a supported employment setting?
- To perform the job tasks on behalf of the individual until they are fully independent
- To negotiate salaries and benefits with the employer on behalf of the individual
- To provide on-site training, advocacy, and systematic fading of support as the individual gains competence (Correct answer)
- To complete vocational assessments and write employment plans without input from the individual
Correct answer: To provide on-site training, advocacy, and systematic fading of support as the individual gains competence
A job coach provides hands-on training and support at the worksite while systematically fading their presence as the individual develops job competency.
Question 4: What does 'customized employment' involve when supporting individuals with significant developmental disabilities?
- Placing individuals in generic job openings that already exist without modification
- Negotiating a job description tailored to the individual's specific skills, interests, and needs (Correct answer)
- Training individuals to perform all duties of a standard job without modification
- Assigning individuals to vocational activities based solely on their disability diagnosis
Correct answer: Negotiating a job description tailored to the individual's specific skills, interests, and needs
Customized employment involves negotiating a unique job description with an employer that matches the individual's strengths and needs, rather than fitting the person into a pre-existing role.
Question 5: In the 'place and train' model of supported employment, what occurs first?
- Extensive pre-employment training is completed before any job placement is attempted
- The individual is placed in a real job first, and job-specific training happens on-site afterward (Correct answer)
- A sheltered workshop experience is required before competitive employment is pursued
- Vocational evaluation determines job readiness before any job contact is made
Correct answer: The individual is placed in a real job first, and job-specific training happens on-site afterward
The 'place and train' model places the individual in a real job first, then provides job-specific skills training in the actual work environment.
Question 6: What are 'natural supports' in a supported employment context?
- Paid external support staff who are always present during work hours
- Environmental modifications made to the physical workplace
- Assistance and relationships available from coworkers, supervisors, and the workplace culture (Correct answer)
- Written job descriptions and employer policies provided to new employees
Correct answer: Assistance and relationships available from coworkers, supervisors, and the workplace culture
Natural supports refer to the informal assistance available within the workplace, such as coworker mentoring and supervisor guidance, which can reduce reliance on paid support staff.
Question 7: Which vocational service approach focuses on matching a person's strengths, conditions for success, and contributions to an employer's specific business needs?
- Sheltered workshop model
- Supported employment enclave model
- Discovery process (Correct answer)
- Situational vocational assessment
Correct answer: Discovery process
The Discovery process identifies an individual's unique strengths, interests, and ideal conditions of employment to negotiate a customized job match with an employer.
DDA Vocational Training & Supported Employment 1
What is the primary goal of supported employment for individuals with developmental disabilities?