Site Visit CIE Employers

Semi Structured Interviews: Employers

Revised 10/3/24

Interviews: Employers Offering Jobs or Internships to SWTCIE Participants

Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. My name is ____ and I work for Mathematica, an independent research firm. I’m joined by my colleague _____, who will be taking notes. Mathematica has been contracted by the US Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration to conduct the national evaluation of the Disability Innovation Fund Demonstration’s Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment projects, which is referred to as the [grantee-specific project name] in your state.

The purpose of our discussion is to learn about project implementation during the first year of the demonstration. We would also like to hear your perspective on the tasks and supports offered to SWTCIE interns or employees. In addition, we would like to understand changes made by your organization to promote competitive integrated employment. I encourage you to speak openly and share examples from your direct experience. When doing so, I would like to ask that you refrain from using individual’s actual names, such as participants and colleagues, during our discussion.  

The personally identifiable information (PII) requested on this form is collected as authorized by Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, P.L. 117-103 Rehabilitation Services, March 15, 2022. The researchers conducting this study follow the confidentiality and data protection requirements, as required by law. Your responses will be kept private and used only for research purposes. Your responses will be combined with the responses of other respondents and no individual names will be reported. While there are no direct benefits to participants and participation is voluntary, your participation will help us learn how states can help increase employment for people with disabilities. While your information will not be disclosed outside of the Department, there may be circumstances where information may be shared with a third party, such as a Freedom of Information Act request, court orders or subpoena, or if a breach or security incident would occur affecting the system, etc.

We expect this discussion to take about one hour.

Does anyone have any questions before we get started?   

I would like to record the discussion to make sure I do not miss anything you share. The notes and recording will be used for notetaking only and will not be shared with anyone outside the study team. Is it okay with you that we record this conversation?

[If participant consents:] I will turn on the recording now but let me know if you would like me to stop recording at any time.

For our records, can you please indicate if you consent to participating in this discussion by stating “I consent to participating”?

[Moderator note: START AUDIO RECORDER AND/OR WEBEX RECORDING NOW.] 

Use these prompts to generate in-depth discussion.

Motivation to partner

• Motivation to partner in the SWTCIE project

Employer offerings

• Reasons for selecting jobs or tasks for internships/CIE jobs

• Steps taken to prepare for onboarding SWTCIE interns/employees

• Perspectives on supports and accommodations offered to SWTCIE interns/employees by the employer and SWTCIE staff

Training and technical assistance

• Types of training and technical assistance offered to employers

• Types of training and technical assistance used by employers

• Perceptions of training and technical assistance needs

• Perceptions of training and technical assistance received

Project partnerships

• Evolution of VR’s relationship with the employer

System-level changes

• Lessons learned about supporting people with disabilities to achieve CIE

• Strategies or learnings from the SWTCIE project can be adapted in different settings, or with different populations

• Anticipated challenges when adapting a [strategy/approach/learning] from the SWTCIE project in different settings, or with different populations

• Resources or solutions to address challenges in adapting a [strategy/approach/learning] from the SWTCIE project in different settings, or with different populations

• Strategies or learnings from the project that cannot be adapted

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 1820-xxxx. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is

voluntary. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this individual collection, or if you have comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual form, application, or survey, please contact Diandrea Bailey, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration, 400 Maryland Avenue Washington, DC 20202 directly.

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