Michael West

Bio:

Dr. West is an Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and is dually funded by both the School of Education and the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in the Medical College of Virginia at VCU. He has worked at VCUs Rehabilitation Research and Training Center since 1987 as a researcher, program evaluator, and policy analyst in the areas of special education, transition from school to work, vocational rehabilitation, and supported employment. Prior to that, he was a secondary special education teacher and a supported employment program manager.

During his tenure at the RRTC, Dr. West has directed or participated in a number of research and demonstration projects, including evaluation of the Rehabilitation Service Administrations Title III supported employment systems change initiative, analyses of states use of Medicaid Waivers to fund supported employment, studies of supported employment implementation by local provider agencies, use of Social Security Work Incentives, and outcome evaluation of research and demonstration projects operated by private non-profit organizations. Dr. Wests current research activities include a survey of teleworkers with disabilities regarding their satisfaction with earnings, benefits, supports, and career options.