Current Research Studies

Or fill out or research interest form if you or someone you know may be eligible for our Vocational Fit Assessment Study!

Vocational Fit Assessment and Employment Status in People with Intellectual Disabilities

NIH funded research study through the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) that focuses on quantifying the reliability and validity of the Vocational Fit Assessment (VFA).
The intended population is people with intellectual disabilities in diverse special education, Project SEARCH and vocational rehabilitation settings.
We are enrolling participant dyads that include:
- Adults with intellectual disabilities, aged 18-26
- A person who knows them well and has been a part of their life for at least 60 days (partner reporters, e.g., teacher, parent, job coach, employer)
Participant dyads complete interviews with researchers to gather data about the VFA and other related measures.

This sub-study focuses on quantifying the responsiveness and clinical utility of the Vocational Fit Assessment (VFA).
Participants will complete a survey about their opinions on the VFA and its usefulness and relevance to their practice.
A subsample of participants will participate in focus groups to add depth of understanding to survey responses.

This sub-study focuses on evaluating the algorithm that the Vocational Fit Assessment (VFA) uses.
Participants will complete a survey designed to allow key stakeholders to use their professional judgment to evaluate data that results from the VFA reports.
A subsample of participants will participate in focus groups to add depth of understanding to survey responses.

Master student thesis project that focused on the development and content validity assessment of the Vocational Fit Assessment - Self Report (VFA-SR), an adaptation of the Vocational Fit Assessment that will be intended for self-report by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The VFA-SR was adapted and optimized using simplification of language and structure, enhanced accessibility features, and addition of features including images accompanying each question.
Development of the VFA-SR is continuing as the focus of a doctoral student's dissertation.