There are a number of scales intended to measure workplace attitudes toward people with disabilities. However, there is limited demonstration of validity evidence, especially theoretical validity. This article reports on the development of the Co-Worker Acceptance of Disabled Employees (CADE) Scale, including an examination of theoretical and empirical validity evidences. Theoretical validity is supported by screening each scale item through the difference model of disability. Empirical validity evidence is generated through a content validity study and an initial validity study. Exploratory factor analysis reveals that workplace attitudes toward employees with disabilities are based on perceived differences between those with disabilities and others. The CADE Scale will support workplace training and provide evidence of attitude change subsequent to workplace disability-related interventions.

A major concern of rehabilitation counselors is the likelihood of work following illness and the purpose of this paper is to determine the work rate of persons with neuromuscular conditions. A review of 38 published reports indicated the capacity for employment, but this varied according to the specific neuromuscular condition. A quantitative summary of previous studies that comprised a total of 2926 participants indicated that 1266 or 43.2% were working. Higher work rates were reported for studies where (a) the focus was on specific disorders rather than neuromuscular conditions in general or (b) where the participation rate was greater than 80%.

This study investigated the efficacy of a live theater performance intervention for enhancing the attitudes of pre-service rehabilitation students toward people with disabilities. A convenience sample of 54 undergraduate students of Latino/a descent (females = 33 and males = 21), age range 18 - 24 completed a pre-post design attitude change intervention. Data were collected on the students’ attitudes toward persons with disabilities, using the scale of attitudes towards disabled persons, and gladness, using a liker scale. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. Results indicated the live theater performance intervention was more effective in providing positive emotion of gladness and in improving the attitudes of the students towards PWDs compared to simple print media.

Consumer recovery processes refer to social Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning in life, and Empowerment (“CHIME”). This study examined if expectations of change in depression could mediate the relationship between CHIME recovery processes and depression severity. Participants were patients who consulted clinical psychologists at primary care clinics. Measures of depression change expectancy, CHIME recovery processes, and depression symptoms were administered. Change expectancy partially mediated the relationship between Hope and depression severity. The same was found for Identity, but Identity also mediated the relationship between change expectancy and depression. Thus, Hope may reduce depression by improving change expectancies, whereas Identity and change expectancy may have reciprocal influences that alter depression. Findings suggest that the CHIME recovery processes may facilitate recovery from depression.