PLEASE NOTE: This schedule is being frequently updated; please check back for the final version. Concurrent sessions are open enrollment; no advance sign-up is required.
Preconference Workshop Schedule
Preconference access is included with your ARRPE Conference registration and no additional registration is required to attend.
At a Glance Conference Schedule Day 1 Conference Schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 25
7-9 a.m. Conference Check-in
A breakfast buffet will be available from 7:30-8:30 a.m.
8:30-9:20 a.m. Invited Speaker | Location: Ballroom ABC
Individual Placement and Support for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Bob Drake, M.D., Ph.D.; Ana Florence, Ph.D.
Employment benefits adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in many ways, yet unemployment remains high. This report describes Individual Placement and Support (IPS), an evidence-based model that improves employment outcomes in diverse populations.
9:30-10:20 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
- Moderated Session: Bridging the Gaps for Underserved Groups (2) | Location: Ballroom DE
- Effectively Serving Vocational Rehabilitation Consumers who have Justice System Involvement
Phillip Rumrill, Ph.D., CRC; Chelsea Brehmer, Ph.D.
The purpose of the presentation is to provide an overview of the intersections of disability and the criminal justice system and the unique challenges it presents to consumers. Importantly, we will discuss ways to address these challenges in practice in order to more effectively serve individuals including lessons learned within a currently funded project through the Department of Labor, RETAIN. Future directions in vocational rehabilitation training and research will be discussed.
- Supporting Independent Living Goals for People with Disabilities: A Focus on Pregnancy
Hannah Fry, Ph.D., Constance Richard, Ph.D., Alexandra Kriofske Mainella, Ph.D., Xiaolei Tang, Ph.D.
The intersection of disability and pregnancy presents unique challenges and opportunities for enhancing the well-being of individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities (CID). This presentation explores the current state of research on pregnancy and CID within rehabilitation counseling and psychology, highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems at this intersection of identities.
- Disability Underrepresentation in Apprenticeships: Can We Fix This? Implementing an Apprenticeship Toolkit | Location: Percival
Stuart Rumrill, Ph.D.
People with disabilities are significantly underrepresented in registered apprenticeship programs, with only a mere 1% of apprentices identifying as having a disability. This underrepresentation is unfortunate, as registered apprenticeship programs offer numerous benefits, including higher wages, job retention, a portable, industry-recognized credential, and the simultaneous receipt of on-the-job learning and mentorship alongside related technical classroom instruction. The in-depth learning, one-on-one mentoring, and supervision aspects of apprenticeships are particularly beneficial for job seekers with disabilities, who often possess unique skills and strengths and require individualized supports and accommodations to succeed and be happy in the workplace.
To address this gap, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U of I) facilitated a 14-month apprenticeship learning community with 10 stakeholders from across the nation. This initiative resulted in the development of an Apprenticeship Toolkit designed for people with disabilities, their supporters, employers, and VR counselors. Join the three U of I facilitators for an interactive discussion on apprenticeships and how to utilize the newly published Apprenticeship Toolkit.
- Impact of Technical Assistance on Employment Specialist Skills and CIE Outcomes | Location: Verelst
Whitney Ham, Ph.D. BCBA, M.S., CRC; Jennifer McDonough: M.S., CRC; Alissa Brooke: M.S., CRC
This session will present an overview of a 3-phase research study evaluating the impact of Technical Assistance on the Competitive Integrated Employment outcomes of individuals with ID/DD. Employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities continue to fall below intended outcomes of legislation (Wehman et al., 2018). The Employment Specialist (ES) plays a pivotal role in facilitating employment outcomes and making a meaningful impact on rates of employment. Currently, there is little research on the training of ES (Ham et al., 2022). Furthermore, there are no prerequisites to become an ES. A new training protocol will be introduced evaluating the results of Zoom Technical Assistance plus participation in an ACRE approved curriculum on ES skills and employment outcomes of their customers.
- American Indians and Alaska Natives in Vocational Rehabilitation Programs: A Scoping Review | Location: Vernon
Elizabeth A. Boland, Ph.D., CRC; Jamie M. Emanuel, MS, CRC; Michele S. Lee, Ph.D.
Little is known about how to best support the provision of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) with disabilities. This community faces many challenges to accessing VR services, including a general lack of cultural knowledge among service providers. The aim of this scoping review was to identify what types of VR services, supports, and interventions are beneficial for AI/AN with disabilities. Academic literature was pulled on February 2022 using the following databases: Academic Search Complete, CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and SocINDEX.
- The Perfect World: VR, DS, CIL Collaborations to Move Disabled Students into Quality Employment | Location: Sloane
Jenifer Montag, Ed.D.
As the African proverb shares, "it takes a village." Quality employment of persons with disabilities is not a solo task, but often the work is done by professionals in siloed organizations. This presentation includes existing research on the supports and services from several "silosĀ," including Vocational Rehabilitation, college disability services (DS), and Centers for Independent Living (CILs) for supporting disabled persons into gainful, satisfying, livable wage-earning employment while creating the opportunity to look at innovative practices to strengthen the connections between the person and each of these organizations.
10:20-10:35 a.m. Coffee Break
10:35-11:25 a.m. Concurrent Sessions
- Moderated Session: Enhancing Support for Mental Health | Location: Ballroom DE
- School, Work, and Services Experiences of Black Young Adults Living with Mental Health Conditions
Yemi Akinola, Ph.D.
This study examines and describes the experiences of Black young adults with MHC, in school, work, and in support services to identify factors that influence their outcomes. Ten Black young adults aged 21 to 28 in the Midwest were interviewed. The interviews were thematically analyzed, and results showed that access to vocational and mental health support services, symptoms, and stigma impacted their education and employment experiences. Being in an inclusive and supportive environment, having social support, a strong match between skill, interest, and job, financial motivation, and possessing a higher level of education were identified as protective factors to keeping their employment. These findings provide valuable insights into factors that impede or improve the experiences of Black young adults with MHCs in school, support programs, and at work.
- Impact of First Episode Psychosis on Transition-age Youth in the Career Path
Eunjeong Ko
This study examines how serious mental illness, particularly first-episode psychosis (FEP), affects the career trajectory of transition-age youth. The aim is to explore the educational and employment barriers faced by adolescents and young adults with FEP and to evaluate interventions designed to improve their career outcomes.
- Addressing Bias in Practice: A Conceptual Clinical Judgment Model for Rehabilitation Counseling | Location: Percival
Bryan S. Austin, Ph.D., LPC (Idaho), CRC, CVE
Making accurate clinical judgments are critically important for rehabilitation counselors and an ethical obligation. Therefore, it is important to understand how rehabilitation counselors make clinical judgments about the clients they serve. Accurate clinical judgments and use of a scientific-based approach to practice are necessary to facilitate effective assessments, rehabilitation/treatment planning, and goal setting. However, rehabilitation counselors are prone to biases, and if not well addressed can lead to inaccurate clinical judgments, and even, poor client outcomes. The literature has focused on biases, but not enough on strategies to overcome them. A conceptual clinical judgment model in rehabilitation counseling will be presented with an emphasis on the application of empirically-supported debiasing techniques. Implications for rehabilitation education and practice will be discussed.
- Real-World Outcomes in Neurobehavioral Disorders: Unlocking the Power of Ecological Momentary Assessment | Location: Verelst
Alex W. K. Wong, Ph.D., CRC
In traditional randomized controlled trials, outcome assessments are obtained infrequently (e.g., baseline and endpoint). Such assessments rely heavily on retrospective reporting and averaging, introducing cognitive biases. Infrequent, retrospective assessments cannot provide the temporal resolution necessary to assess dynamic changes in neurobehavioral symptoms over time and across contexts. A potential solution is smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA), which provides frequent, real-time, lived-in assessments, making it possible to assess changes over time and monitor the course of intervention. With the widespread use of smartphones and low-cost EMA options, EMA has become essential for understanding the dynamics of neurobehavioral constructs and providing opportunities to drive real-world innovations. In this session, Dr. Wong will discuss potential applications of EMA in rehabilitation research and practice.
- TBD | Location: Vernon
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Employment Outcomes for Foster Care Youth with Disabilities | Location: Sloane
David R. Strauser, Ph.D., Judy Havilcek, Ph.D, Michele Schutz, Ph.D.
11:35 a.m.-12:25 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
- Disability Adjustment Counseling: Qualitative Analysis of Rehabilitation Counselors Perspectives and Experience | Location: Ballroom DE
Constance Richard, Ph.D., CRC; Hannah Fry, Ph.D., CRC; Malachy Bishop, Ph.D.; Sara Park; Brigette Young; Samantha Foster
Disability adjustment counseling (DAC) has been an important but poorly defined role for rehabilitation counselors since the field's origin. The important role of adjustment counseling in promoting positive psychosocial, vocational, and other rehabilitation outcomes is well established, and accreditation and certification agencies have continued to incorporate adjustment counseling in both the graduate educational and practice standards. Yet neither the educational preparation for, nor the professional practice of DAC is formalized, clearly defined, or research-based. Despite a considerable literature on disability adjustment theory, relevant theories and models are rarely translated into standard educational content or meaningful practice guidance. Recent academic standards revisions, and research suggest that rehabilitation counselors spend an average of 20% of their professional time engaged in DAC, and the broad professional recognition of the value of DAC highlight the need to move from theory to evidence-based rehabilitation counseling practice and education.
As a first step toward clarifying and formalizing DAC in rehabilitation counseling education and practice, the presenters conducted a national survey among over 100 Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) in which they explored CRCs' experiences with, education and training in, and the focus of their adjustment counseling with clients. In this presentation the researchers provide the results of our thematic analysis of the qualitative responses that elucidates a definition of DAC, its importance to practitioners and clients, educational and professional preparation to provide DAC, and DAC barriers.
- Self-Compassion: Buffering the Impact of Disability | Location: Percival
Alexandra Kriofske Mainella, Ph.D.
This presentation will discuss self-compassion as a construct and how vocational rehabilitation and clinical rehabilitation counselors can leverage the effects of self-compassion in their work with clients. This presentation will also present preliminary results of a study on the buffering impact of self-compassion on the experience of disability, disability impact, adjustment and coping. Implications for research and training will also be shared.
- Effectiveness of Assistive Technology Provided by Blind Field Services: A Longitudinal Study | Location: Verelst
Abbas Quamar, Ph.D., CRC; Elizabeth A. Boland, Ph.D., CRC
The California Department of Rehabilitation provides a wide range of internet-connected assistive devices to its clients with a visual impairment. This study conducted a longitudinal analysis to determine how effective the assistive devices were in meeting needs. Participants were recruited through Blind Field Services offices across the Inland Empire region. 31 participants completed the study. The data is currently being analyzed to determine the extent to which the everyday functional needs of the clients were met by the assistive devices and the results will be finalized by the end of 2024. The results of this study will have profound implications for determining the effectiveness of assistive technology provided by state vocational rehabilitation services across the United States.
- Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Bereavement Counseling: Strategies for Coping with Loss | Location: Vernon
Elaine Mora, MS, LPC-A, LCDC-I, NCC
This presentation will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance bereavement counseling, helping individuals cope with the loss of loved ones. By gathering insights on experiences with AI in grief, this study highlights the emotional support it can provide while identifying areas for further research to improve bereavement services for all people through cultural competency and intersectionality.
- Publishing Rehabilitation Research in Rehabilitation Research, Policy and Education | Location: Sloane
David R. Strauser, Ph.D.; Alex W. K. Wong, Ph.D., CRC; Deidre O'Sullivan, Ph.D.
12:25-1:45 p.m. Lunch Break
2-2:50 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
- Work life expectancy among those with SCI: Employment throughout the work lifecycle | Location: Ballroom DE
Clara E. Dismuke-Greer, Ph.D.; James Krause, Ph.D.
Work life expectancy (WLE) is defined as the prediction of how many years an individual will work after disability onset. Our objective is to identify barriers and facilitators to WLE among participants with spinal cord injury (SCI).
- The RETAIN Kentucky Model: Strategies for Helping Workers with Disabilities Maintain Employment | Location: Percival
Kimberly Wickert, MRC, CRC, CVE; Phillip Rumrill, Ph.D., CRC
This presentation will describe the rationale for our statewide intervention to promote job retention for Kentucky workers with non-work-related adventitious disabilities. Guided by the Return-to-Work Hierarchy and the well-known Crux model of vocational case management, our virtually delivered service is evidence-based and highly effective. We will describe an extensive network of statewide partners who share in the inclusive workforce imperative, including governmental agencies, employer organizations, healthcare providers including mental health, and disability advocacy organizations.
- Interagency Collaboration in VR: A Look at One State’s Project Data to Help Drive Real Change | Location: Verelst
David George Strauser, Ph.D.
To better understand the importance and challenges associated with interagency collaboration as experienced by disability service providers, baseline data, via an online survey, were collected by the SWTCIE Illinois evaluation team to learn about the levels of collaboration (interaction and relationship quality) among disability service providers, including VR, in Illinois (Frey et al., 2006). Qualitative and quantitative evaluation data and findings from the SWTCIE Illinois project will be presented. Our findings indicate that collaboration levels in Illinois vary among disability service providers, relationships between these providers are not always reciprocal, and disability service providers view that collaboration as both essential and challenging. The session will highlight the significance of interagency collaboration, particularly in expanding the scale and impact of VR services, and will discuss promising practices for achieving high-quality collaborations.
- Grief, Loss, and Traumatic Brain Injury: An Unexpected Consequence | Location: Vernon
Aundrea Gee, M.Ed., CRC; Marty Holin, Ph.D., LPCC (New Mexico Counseling)
The purpose of this practice session is to increase awareness of the grief and loss experienced by adult traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors and their loved ones. Presenters will also share practical considerations, suggestions, and options for professionals who work with TBI survivors.
- The Role of Social Support in Psychosocial Adjustment and Return to Work Following Spinal Cord Injury | Location: Sloane
Ada Chen, Ph.D., MPH, CRC, CVE; John O’Neill, Ph.D.
Drawing from a qualitative analysis of spinal cord injury patients who participated in an early vocational intervention, Vocational Resource Facilitation (VRF), this study highlights how various forms of social support from family, peers, and service providers can enhance mental resilience, foster treatment engagement, and promote successful reintegration into the workforce. Findings reveal that strong social networks, combined with comprehensive support services, significantly increase RTW readiness and outcomes.
3-3:50 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
- TBD | Location: Ballroom DE
- Employment Accommodation Experiences among Workers with Multiple Sclerosis: A Mixed-Method Analysis | Location: Percival
Malachy Bishop, Ph.D., Sara Park, Eunjeong Ko, Muharrem Koc, Kaiqi Zhou, Ph.D., Phillip Rumrill, Ph.D.
Employment retention is an important focus in vocational rehabilitation (VR). Workplace accommodations play a central role in employment retention, ameliorating or eliminating barriers to job performance, job satisfaction, and career longevity. In this presentation, we explore the employment accommodation needs and experiences of American workers with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, frequently progressive autoimmune condition associated with demyelination and neurodegeneration, typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, and often having a significant impact on career development and maintenance.
- Functioning Mediates the Relationship Between Trauma and Work Outcomes for PWD | Location: Verelst
Chelsea Brehmer, Ph.D.; Deirdre O’Sullivan, Ph.D.; David Strauser, Ph.D.; Brian Philips, Ph.D.
To enhance work related interventions, this study assessed adults with disabilities regarding their exposure to childhood trauma, current functioning, and efficacy to make appropriate work adjustments. A sample of 648 adults self-reported their disabilities and completed surveys related to childhood maltreatment, functioning, and work adjustment. Childhood trauma did not have a significant direct impact on work adjustment; functioning mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and adult work outcomes. One way to enhance work outcomes for adults with disabilities and trauma histories is to target functioning so that people can make appropriate work adjustments necessary to retain and maintain employment.
- Policy Initiatives in High Performing States that Facilitate Quality Employment Outcomes | Location: Vernon
Lauren Avellone, Ph.D.; Jennifer McDonough, M.S, CRC
Federal policy has increasingly focused on prioritizing competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcomes over segregated or subminimum wage alternatives. However, there are vast differences in policy implementation across states which impact CIE outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Understanding effective policy implementation by states delivering a high amount of integrated employment services has important implications for the rest of the nation. This presentation reviews the findings from a Delphi Study surveying policy makers and advocates in top performing states. Respondents were asked about their perceptions on state/federal practices and the extent to which they agreed specific policies within their state facilitated or hindered CIE outcomes for individuals with IDD. Findings have strong implications for future policy and practice.
- Facilitating Adjustment to Physical Disabilities through Gestalt Therapy in Rehabilitation Counseling | Location: Sloane
Gabriela Rangel
This presentation delves into the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Gestalt therapy for enhancing emotional well-being and facilitating adjustment in individuals with physical disabilities. It emphasizes how rehabilitation counselors can empower clients to navigate the psychological challenges and barriers associated with physical disabilities by fostering acceptance, resilience, and personal empowerment. Drawing on a Gestalt therapy framework, the presentation outlines specific therapeutic techniques such as confrontation, internal dialogue, the empty chair technique, rehearsal, and staying with the feeling that counselors can employ to help clients build resilience and adapt to their new circumstances. Additionally, it addresses the ethical considerations that rehabilitation counselors must follow when working with this population, ensuring the provision of respectful and holistic care. Ultimately, the presentation highlights Gestalt therapy as a powerful tool in rehabilitation counseling, promoting not only emotional well-being but also effective adjustment and recovery for individuals with physical disabilities.
4-4:50 p.m. Concurrent Sessions
- Current and Future Hot Topics and Scientific Methods in Rehabilitation Research | Location: Ballroom DE
Stuart Rumrill, Ph.D., LPC, CRC; Bradley McDaniels, Ph.D., CRC; Phillip Rumrill, Ph.D.
Rehabilitation research offers valuable insights into the experiences, attitudes, values, and concerns of people with disabilities. It helps identify effective rehabilitation practices and expands the professional knowledge base. As society, the disability community, and the landscape of rehabilitation counseling rapidly evolve, new trends, research methods, and populations of interest continually emerge. This presentation will discuss some of these emerging trends in rehabilitation research and highlight consumer populations whose needs, concerns, and experiences require further understanding.
- Emotion Regulation Intervention for Student Veterans: A Pilot Study | Location: Percival
Heekyung Lee, Ph.D.
Student veterans are a subgroup of college students who possess diverse strengths and bring enrichment to higher education. Many veterans enroll in higher education to increase their career opportunities, develop new skills, learn to apply military skills in civilian life, and improve the quality of life for themselves and their families during the transition to civilian life. However, student veterans face various challenges in transitioning from military life to college life, which include, but are not limited to, academic performance, social relationships, and dealing with their physical and/or emotional disabilities. Indeed, research suggests that student veterans are more likely to suffer from mental health challenges than other students. Nevertheless, little intervention study has been conducted to support student veterans' mental health. Considering emotion regulation positively influences mental health, an 8-week long modified emotion regulation intervention, Skills Improvement on Emotion Regulation for Adults (SIERA), was implemented with a small group of student veterans as a pilot study.
- Implementing Customized Training Programs Utilizing a Toolkit | Location: Verelst
Sandy Conder, M.Ed., MRC, CRC; Christina Espinosa, MRC, CRC; Deborah Minton, MRC, CRC
This presentation will define and discuss Customized Training according to the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Technical Assistance Circular (TAC) 17-01 issued September 15, 2022. We will also discuss the Customized Training Implementation group established by the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center on Quality Employment (VRTAC-QE) and materials that this group created to assist with implementation efforts. Finally, we will provide and discuss Customized Training resources that the Customized Training Learning Community through VRTAC-QE created to assist with understanding what Customized Training looks like and support materials for implementation.
- Empowering Veterans Through Accessible Vocational Rehabilitation | Location: Vernon
Matthew Sprong, Ph.D., CRC, LPC (PA), LCPC (IL), CADC (IL), CLCP, CVE
The transition from military service to civilian life can be particularly challenging for veterans dealing with substance use and mental health disorders. Vocational rehabilitation programs offer a lifeline for these individuals, yet many are unable to access these vital services due to a variety of barriers. This presentation will comprehensively examine veterans' obstacles, ranging from stigma and eligibility criteria to geographic limitations and program availability.
- Applying the Illinois Model to Wage Loss Analysis | Location: Sloane
David R. Strauser, Ph.D.
5-6:30 p.m. ARRPE Awards Reception | Location: Harborside Ballroom
Appetizers and bar available.
AT A Glance FULL SCHEDULE Day 1 Conference Schedule