Vidya Sundar
I teach graduate and undergraduate coursework related to inclusive workplace practices and worker rehabilitation, human occupation, and research methods. My research and scholarly interests include programs and policies that promote employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities. My recent research interest is in career advancement and management strategies for people with disabilities.
I am the Principal Investigator of a three year Field Initiated Research Project (funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research) to develop and test the use of job crafting as an intervention strategy to improve work-related self-efficacy engagement among persons with disabilities.
Prior to this position, I served as the project director and program evaluator of several federally funded initiatives on employment, aging in the community, and chronic homelessness.
Research Interests
- Ergonomics
- Persons with Disabilities - Services For
- Vocational Services for People With Disabilities
- Work Motivation
- Worker Attitudes and Technology
Courses Taught
- 520: Happy and Healthy at Work
- 540: Stats for Health Professionals
- 760L: Psychosocial Eval & Interv Lab
- 860L: Psychosocial Eval & Interv Lab
- 886: Engagement in Research
- HMGT/OT 520: Happy and Healthy at Work
- HMGT/OT 598: Happy & Healthy at Work
- OT 785: Research Methods
- OT 785/885: Research Methods
- OT 791: Senior Honors Thesis
- OT 841: Human Occupation
- OT 886: Engagement in Research
Selected Publications
Fyffe, D. C., Lequerica, A. H., Ward-Sutton, C., Williams, N. F., Sundar, V., & O'Neill, J. (2021). Understanding Persons With Disabilities' Reasons for Not Seeking Employment. REHABILITATION COUNSELING BULLETIN. doi:10.1177/00343552211006773
Houtenville, A. J., Phillips, K. G., & Sundar, V. (2021). USEFULNESS OF INTERNET SURVEYS TO IDENTIFY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: A CAUTIONARY TALE. JOURNAL OF SURVEY STATISTICS AND METHODOLOGY, 9(2), 285-308. doi:10.1093/jssam/smaa045
Sundar, V., & Brucker, D. (2021). "Today I felt like my work meant something": A pilot study on job crafting, a coaching-based intervention for people with work limitations and disabilities. WORK-A JOURNAL OF PREVENTION ASSESSMENT & REHABILITATION, 69(2), 423-438. doi:10.3233/WOR-213488
Brucker, D. L., & Sundar, V. (2020). Job Crafting Among American Workers with Disabilities. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION, 30(4), 575-587. doi:10.1007/s10926-020-09889-9
Sundar, V., & Brucker, D. L. (2019). Personal and Organizational Determinants of Job Satisfaction for Workers With Disabilities. REHABILITATION COUNSELING BULLETIN, 62(3), 170-179. doi:10.1177/0034355218770272
Sundar, V., O'Neill, J., Houtenville, A. J., Phillips, K. G., Keirns, T., Smith, A., & Katz, E. E. (2018). Striving to work and overcoming barriers: Employment strategies and successes of people with disabilities. JOURNAL OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION, 48(1), 93-109. doi:10.3233/JVR-170918
Sundar, V., Brucker, D. L., Pollack, M. A., & Chang, H. (2016). Community and social participation among adults with mobility impairments: A mixed methods study. DISABILITY AND HEALTH JOURNAL, 9(4), 682-691. doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2016.05.006
Schuh, M. C., Sundar, V., & Hagner, D. C. (2015). Friendship Is the Ocean: Importance of Friendship, Acceptance, and Leadership in the Transition to Adulthood. CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSITION FOR EXCEPTIONAL INDIVIDUALS, 38(3), 152-161. doi:10.1177/2165143414528031
Sundar, V., Fox, S. W., & Phillips, K. G. (2014). Transitions in caregiving: evaluating a person-centered approach to supporting family caregivers in the community.. J Gerontol Soc Work, 57(6-7), 750-765. doi:10.1080/01634372.2013.847885
Tomita, M. R., Mann, W. C., Stanton, K., Tomita, A. D., & Sundar, V. (2007). Use of currently available smart home technology by frail elders process and outcomes. TOPICS IN GERIATRIC REHABILITATION, 23(1), 24-34. Retrieved from http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/
Most Cited Publications