Natural Supports in the Workplace: A Reexamination of Supported Employment

The purpose of this article is to examine some of the basic premises of supported employment initiatives. In particular, the role of agency-sponsored job coaches in supporting employees with severe disabilities in integrated work environments is discussed. A broader concept of supported employment is proposed, based on studies of the supports and informal interactions characteristic of natural work environments. Alternative support options, entitled the Mentor Option, the Training Consultant Option, the Job Sharing Option, and the Attendant Option, which involve the active participation of supervisors and co-workers, are presented with suggestions for implementation.