Effects of a social competence training program on accommodation request activity, situational self-efficacy, and Americans with disabilities act knowledge among employed people with visual impairments and blindness

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.