Increasing Integrated Workplace Social Interactions: The Effects of Job Modification, Natural Supports, Adaptive Communication Instruction, and Job Coach Training

Abstract

The effectiveness of job modification, natural supports, instruction on the use of a communication device, job coach social facilitation training, and co-worker support for social integration in a supported employment setting was examined. The intervention consisted of four phases: Job modification; natural supports instruction to nondisabled co-workers; introduction of a communication device without instruction; communication device training; and job coach social facilitation training and eliciting co-worker support for social integration. Social interaction data were collected using direct observation. Results indicate that the use of the communication device, job coach social facilitation training, and eliciting co-worker support for social integration were necessary in order to increase the supported employee's levels of workplace social interaction; the earlier conditions did not have any impact. Implications for research and practice are discussed.