VOCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS FOLLOWING SPINAL-CORD INJURY IN AUSTRALIA

This study describes the vocational achievements in a sample (n = 139) of Australian persons with spinal cord injuries. The post-accident an d employment achievements (February-March 1993) were represented by si gnificant diversity in outcomes. Around one-third of subjects went on to obtain further qualifications since their injury, and around 31% we re employed full-time or part-time. The majority of subjects utilized informal means of returning to work. Around two-thirds of those employ ed indicated that they were in a preferred occupation and their median length of employment was 108 months. The hours of work varied greatly but were centred around a median of 38 hours (i.e, a full-time job). A model of diverse employment outcomes and achievement following spina l cord injury is proposed.