IV. Importance of Supports and Services in Regard to Getting and Staying at a Job
Respondents were asked a series of questions regarding the importance services and supports and other factors that affects a person’s ability to obtain and maintain employment. Respondents who were employed were asked to respond based on current job; those not currently employed were asked to respond based on their most recent job; and those who had never been employed were asked to respond based on what factors would influence their work decisions. Five categories of fixed responses were offered. The Table below displays the frequency and percentage of responses by category.
Support Types |
Very Importantn(%) |
Somewhat Importantn(%) |
Somewhat Unimportantn(%) |
Not Important at alln(%) |
Does Not Applyn(%) |
||
|
Reliable transportation |
40 (78%) |
5 (10%) |
- |
1 (2%) |
6 (10%) |
||
|
Affordable transportation |
39 (77%) |
5 (10%) |
1 (2%) |
- |
6 (10%) |
||
|
Affordable health insurance |
34 (69%) |
7 (14% |
- |
1 (2%) |
7 (14%) |
||
|
Accessible transportation |
32 (65%) |
7 (14%) |
3 (6%) |
- |
7 (14%) |
||
|
Supportive co-worker attitudes |
33 (65%) |
8 (16%) |
2 (4%) |
1 (2%) |
7 (14% |
||
|
Affordable Housing |
32 (64%) |
9 (18%) |
3 (6%) |
1 (2%) |
5 (10%) |
||
|
Supportive employer attitudes |
36 (62%) |
7 (14%) |
2 (4%) |
1 (2%) |
6 (12%) |
||
|
Ability to take time off for health related reasons |
30 (60%) |
10 (20%) |
2 (4%) |
3 (6%) |
5 (10% |
||
|
Family & Friends |
29 (56%) |
10 (19%) |
1 (2%) |
6 (12%) |
6 (12%) |
||
|
Benefits such as life insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan |
28 (56%) |
11 (22%) |
1 (2%) |
3 (6%) |
7 (14%) |
||
|
Control over pace or scheduling of your work activities |
21 (42%) |
16 (32%) |
2 (4%) |
3 (6%) |
8 (16%) |
||
|
Work accommodations based on your disability |
17 (34%) |
11 (22%) |
1 (2%) |
4 (8%) |
17 (34%) |
||
|
Vocational rehabilitation services |
16 (33%) |
12 (25%) |
4 (8%) |
5 (10%) |
12 (25%) |
||
|
Benefits analysis and counseling by a trained benefits counselor |
15 (30%) |
9 (18%) |
8 (16%) |
3 (6%) |
15 (30%) |
||
|
Support from a mental health provider |
15 (30%) |
12 (245) |
2 (4%) |
5 (10%) |
16 (32%) |
||
|
Assistive technology services |
14 (28%) |
10 (20%) |
4 (8%) |
4 (8%) |
18 (36%) |
||
|
Affordable child care |
12 (25%) |
2 (4%) |
1 (2%) |
5 (10%) |
29 (59%) |
||
|
Job coach |
10 (21%) |
11 (23%) |
4 (8%) |
3 (6%) |
20 (42%) |
||
|
Personal assistant services at home |
9 (19%) |
5 (10%) |
2 (4%) |
5 (10%) |
27 (56%) |
|
Paid personal assistant services at work |
10 (20%) |
1 (2%) |
6 (12%) |
5 (10%) |
27 (55%) |
|
Support from a substance abuse treatment provider |
8 (16%) |
7 (14%) |
1 (2%) |
5 (10%) |
29 (58%) |
The factors that were most important for at least 50% of the respondents were:
- Reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation
- Affordable health insurance
- Affordable housing
- Supportive employer and coworker attitudes
- Ability to take time off for health related reasons
- Support of family and friends
- Benefits such as life insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan
