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EMPLOYMENT STATUS

One of the most startling aspects of this survey revealed that only 13 percent (216) are employed, and average 33 hours a week at their jobs. Their occupations have been broken down into eight categories:

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The 87 percent (1,448) who stated they were unemployed gave five main reasons why they were not working:

Percent

1. Disability too severe_.

48.3

(707)

2. They would lose more by working at full capacity than they now received in benefits__.

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When the unemployed veterans were asked if they had the opportunity to be trained in a job within the limits of their abilities, 84 percent (1,105) reported they would accept employment at a living wage. Only 15 percent (198) said they would not.

Another way of viewing the employment situation can be done in one of two methods. The first is by general disability categories, that is, the numbers of paras, quads, polio, M.S. and others in comparison with each other as the following chart illustrates:

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The other way is by comparing each specific disability with respect to employment numbers and percentages, that is, of the numbers of individuals in one category, how many are employed or not employed. The following chart illustrates this concept:

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You will no doubt see seemingly conflicting figures in various portions of this article. For example, 1,448 reported they were unemployed, yet 1,419 are only reflected on the chart relating to disabilities and unemployment. Thus there is a difference of 29 in the unemployment figures, and only 4 in the employment column, 216 to 212 on the charts. This is because the individuals responding did not answer all the questions in the questionnaire. However, because of the nature of each question, there is really no significant change in the overall survey.

REHABILITATION STATISTICS

An overwhelming 90.4 percent (1,475) reported that the hospitals they were in offered comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Only 9.5 percent (152) replied in the negative. Of those responding in the affirmative, 93.0 percent stated they were encouraged to participate by the hospital staff, yet 96.1 percent said they did participate. The following graph reflects this portion of the survey:

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Therapy reported offered-Columns A, C, E and G. Participation in therapy reported-Columns B, D, F and H. Percentages listed in the lower (shaded) portion of the respective columns indicate therapy was not offered (A, C, E and G) or nonparticipation (B, D, F and H).

From these figures, 90.7 percent (1,381) veterans stated they gained from their participation in the rehabilitation programs, while 9.3 percent (141) reported they did not gain anything. Some 72.3 percent (1,099) reported they received some type of counseling and guidance. 27.7 percent (422) said they did not.

DVR PARTICIPATION

Upon discharge from the hospital, 22.1 percent (334) veterans reported they participated in a state vocational rehabilitation program, while 77.8 percent (1,175) responded in the negative. Of those SCI veterans who did participate, 63.8 percent (289) reported it was effective, 36.2 percent (45) said it was not. Of those veterans who participated in a DVR program, training was received in the following areas:

Craftsmen, production process workers_.

Professional, technical workers____

General college student__

Clerical workers..

Administrative, executive, managerial.

Transportation and communication_

Service support and recreation___.
Sales workers__

Percent

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When asked if they would participate in a DVR program now, if given the opportunity, 77.1 percent (1,017) related they would do so. Only 22.7 percent said they would not participate. Those veterans who said they would participate indicated the following areas in which they would like to be trained :

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If they were trained in the occupations they indicated, 46.3 percent said they would be willing to work full time, and 53.5 percent indicated they would work only part time.

A PROFESSIONAL ANALYSIS

These are all very interesting and revealing figures and statistics, but what does it all mean? Where do the pieces fit together to bring the picture into focus, to pull things together in proper perspective. Having dealt in the area for several years, I see some general trends and I feel I can suggest some viable solutions. 1. First of all, it is apparent that the work ethic is not dead. Although 87 percent (1,148) of the PVA members stated they were unemployed for various reasons, 84 percent (1,105) of that number said they would like to be trained in a job they could (a) earn a living wage, and (b) be within the limits of their abilities. This in itself is very positive and encouraging.

2. It is also very obvious that full-time employment, the standard 8 hour day/40 hour week is not acceptable. This is indicated by an average of 33 hours per week for those presently employed, and a preference of 53.5 percent to work part time from those who said if they were trained in an occupation they would be willing to work. There are probably several valid reasons: (a) They are concerned about their own physical problems and tolerances; (b) they haven't worked for so long that they doubt if they could work at the pace they once did, or if they have never worked, they don't know what they actually can do; (c) there may be psychological and attitudinal problems; (d) there are transportation and architectural barrier problems to overcome.

3. The rehabilitation programs in the hospitals seemed to be very popular with physical therapy ranking first followed by occupational therapy, corrective therapy, and educational therapy. Participation was excellent with (a) having it offered, (b) being encouraged to participate, (c) participating, and (d) actual gaining from participation at a 90 percent level or higher.

4. Things begin to slip when 72.3 percent reported having some counseling and guidance prior to discharge. Following discharge, only 22.1 percent (334) of the veterans reported that they participated in a state vocational rehabilitation program. And of this number, 63.8 percent (298) said it was effective. This indicates that there was an apparent breakdown in the rehabilitation process if 77.8 percent (1,175) were either not contacted and encouraged to participate in DVR programs. Again, the reasons are varied: (a) No contact by DVR personnel with the veteran; (b) apathy and complacency on the part of the veteran; (c) no interest to serve the severely disabled by DVR as they no doubt felt as veterans it was the VA's responsibility; (d) VA people were not aware of DVR programs. 5. In comparing occupations, there are three areas to be considered and compared: (a) Those occupations in which PVA NSC members have reported to be engaged in (present); (b) those occupations in which veterans reported to have participated in through DVR (past); (c) those occupations in which veterans reported they would like to be trained in (future). The following chart illustrates this:

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Some general observations are those who are presently engaged in administrative, executive and managerial positions are twice the percentage of those trained by DVR, or who would like to be trained. This indicates a high motivation factor to succeed and become successful for certain types of individuals.

DVR training in the past does not correlate with the percentages now working or those who want to be trained in several areas. Of course, a certain percentage was in college and is therefore impossible to tell what occupation they would have probably been placed in. Other than that, the pattern is more or less the same with more wanting to go into professional, technical and transportation, communication jobs. In general, this data from the questions asked is very speculative.

One thing is paramount and must be considered very seriously, our members want very much to go to work under the right conditions. It is PVA's obligation and, thereby the national office's duty, to implement suitable programs that will bring this about. This is why we are here as professionals in Washington, D.C.— to make this happen. Give us your BOD mandates, and we will (pardon the expression) break our backs to accomplish these goals.

NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS, 30TH ANNUAL CONVENTION, JULY 1976

RESOLUTION 76-C-1

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the legislative mandates adopted at this convention are to be deemed the "expressions" of the goals and directions that our membership desires our National Office to follow. That these resolution are in fact expressions of "will" and not steadfast requirements.

RESOLUTION 76-C-2

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the last sentence of section 355 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read "but no change or readjustment in this schedule of ratings may be made by the Administrator after December 31, 1972, unless (1) such proposed change or readjustment is first submitted to Congress, and (2) neither House of Congress, prior to the expiration of ninety calendar days of continuous session of Congress following the submission of the proposed change or readjustment, has adopted a resolution stating in substance that that House does not favor the proposed change or readjustment."

RESOLUTION 76-C-6

Therefore Be It Resolved, that PVA pursue the necessary legislation for the removal of the restriction on the number of "K" ratings or statutory awards to be granted a veteran for anatomical loss or loss of use of limbs or organs and remove the dollar restrictions in subsection (o) and (p) of section 314 of title 38, United States Code.

RESOLUTION 76-C-7

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Paralyzed Veterans of America petition the Congress to enact legislation to remove the Social Security and Railroad Disability benefits as accountable income in computing the eligibility for NSC pension.

RESOLUTION 76-C-8

Therefore Be It Resolved, that PVA do everything possible to raise the amount of Aid and Attendance for the catastrophically NSC disabled veteran to an amount reasonable to expenses incurred.

RESOLUTION 76-C-11

Therefore Be It Resolved, that PVA do everything in their power that is necessary to remove the distinction between the non-service connected wartime and the non-service-connected peacetime for VA pension purposes.

RESOLUTION 76-C-12

Therefore Be It Resolved, that PVA take the necessary steps to insure that all NSC spinal cord injured received Aid and Attendance regardless of income so he may receive the appropriate prosthetic supplies and medications.

RESOLUTION 76-C-14

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the statutory presumptive period for ALS be made the same as that recognized by the VA for MS.

RESOLUTION 76-C-15

Therefore Be It Resolved, that PVA seek enactment of legislation or administrative changes which would increase the presumptive period for MS and other related demyelinating diseases from seven to twenty years.

RESOLUTION 76-C-16

Therefore Be It Resolved, that PVA seek remedial legislation or administrative changes to provide a uniform system of clearly defined statutory benefits under the provisions of the Special Adaptive Equipment Law.

RESOLUTION 76-C-17

Therefore Be It Resolved, that PVA seeks remedial legislation to bring current VA policy and practice in line with the Congressionally stated intent behind the Special Adaptive Equipment Law by providing true reimbursement to the veteran based on the actual cost incurred by the veteran in acquiring the adaptive equipment.

RESOLUTION 76-C-18

Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Paralyzed Veterans of America renew efforts to secure from Congress and the Veterans' Administration legislation and regulations to allow reasonably necessary adaptive equipment to be issued to the non-service-connected veteran.

RESOLUTION 76-C-19

Therefore Be It Resolved, that PVA seek to include the disabled children of CHAMPUS beneficiaries under the CHAMPUS Program on a continuing basis for treatment relating to their disabilities.

RESOLUTION 76-C-20

Therefore Be It Resolved, that legislation be pursued by PVA to set up a method of rebate of federal gasoline taxes to those disabled citizens forced to use automobiles as their primary means of transportation as a result of catastrophic injuries and disease rendering them unable to utilize public transportation.

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