The attitudes of employers toward workers with severe mental and physical disabilities and supported employment programs were examined through structured interviews with 47 employers who had hired or supervised workers participating in supported employment programs in Tennessee. Results indicated that employers generally hold favorable attitudes regarding the employment potential of workers with disabilities and the quality of services provided through supported employment programs. The physical presence of employment specialists at the job site was viewed by employers as a strength of the supported employment program. However, some employers indicated that few opportunities exist for career advancement within their businesses for the supported employment participants. Finally, employers identified a number of strategies that could be used to market supported employment services to other businesses in their local communities.

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This investigation identified the education professionals who, according to educational administrators, have the primary responsibility for assisting high school age hearing-impaired students in their selection of postsecondary education options. A total of 45 educational administrators in residential schools, day schools and day class programs in the southeastern section of the United States listed both school and non-school (outside service agency) personnel as providing this assistance. The educational administrators most frequently identified the teacher as the primary in-school person who assisted students in exploring postsecondary options. Rehabilitation counselors were identified by the respondents as non-school personnel who assisted hearing-impaired students in this decision-making process.