Helping Veterans with spinal cord injuries find customized jobs
Official title: Achieving Competitive Customized Employment through Specialized Services - Veterans: ACCESS-VETS
Funded at James a. Haley VA Medical Center · NIH-11309982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping Veterans with spinal cord injuries find good jobs by creating a special program that focuses on their unique needs and strengths, so they can enjoy a better quality of life through meaningful work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | James a. Haley VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2021 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003349-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans aged 21 and older who have sustained spinal cord injuries and are seeking employment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have spinal cord injuries or are not interested in employment opportunities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving employment opportunities for Veterans with spinal cord injuries by addressing the unique barriers they face. It aims to implement a customized employment program that tailors vocational services to meet the individual needs of these Veterans. The program, called ACCESS, will help participants identify their strengths and develop personalized employment plans to secure competitive jobs in their communities. By utilizing trained employment specialists, this approach seeks to enhance the overall quality of life for Veterans through meaningful employment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the employment rates and quality of life for Veterans with spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that customized employment strategies can be effective for individuals with disabilities, indicating potential success for this approach in the Veteran population.
Where this research is happening
-
James a. Haley VA Medical Center
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ottomanelli, Lisa — James a. Haley VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ottomanelli, Lisa
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.