Article

Information is presented on a community-based mentoring program, developed to
work with existing community agencies and provide structure to the frequently
confusing network of services for young adults, ages 16 to 26 years, with a
recently acquired disability including TBI, SCI, and other neurological
disorders. The over-arching goal of the Mentoring Program was to improve the
ability of individuals with disabilities to access and maximally utilize the
services and programs that are available in the community. The two objectives of
this study were: (1) to demonstrate continuing increases in standardized measures
of community integration from the time of enrollment in the program to the time
of exit from the program, and (2) to improve the percentage of youth and young
adults with disabilities who successfully access post-secondary education or
employment opportunities. 53 participants had post-secondary education as a goal.
12 participants had an employment goal. 12 participants had both education and
employment as a combined goal. It was not uncommon for participants to change
goals. Of those with education goals, 23/53 achieved educational goals and 7/53
achieved employment goals. Of those with vocational goals, 5/12 achieved
vocational goals and 1/12 achieved educational goals. Of those with both goals,
5/12 achieved educational goals and 1/12 achieved vocational goals. Significant
community integration and independence improvements were noted for program
participants (CHART Mobility and Cognitive Independence, M2PI, DRS, and SRS).
Overall, findings suggest that mentoring can be beneficial toward achieving the
goals of post-secondary education, employment and community independence for
individuals with disabilities; specifically those with traumatic brain injury,
spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders.

Langue : ANGLAIS