Anecdotally, there are frequent reports that peer-facilitated initiatives can be successfully used in employment services. However, in Australia, there is little information about how to effectively deliver peer support. In this paper, we discuss how peer-based interventions might be used to supplement formal return-to-work services and contribute to positive job-seeking outcomes. We illustrate the potential of vocational peer support using a real situation involving a young adult who successfully returned to work soon after sustaining a traumatic injury. Future research should explore the inclusion of various peer support structures and formats as a component of other employment services, to help people with long-term conditions and disabilities achieve a range of vocational outcomes and to guide practice in this area.

Post-injury return to work (RTW) is an important rehabilitation outcome regardless of injury type. With Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), the odds of successful RTW are lower than for the general population of work-injured. Australians living with a SCI have a higher RTW rate than many other developed countries, including the United States. Important influences on relatively higher post-injury RTW rates in the Australian context include its universal disability care policy, Australia's suite of no-fault accident insurance systems that allow for multi-faceted rehabilitation services to be provided to eligible individuals in addition to appropriate rewards for rehabilitation service providers. A combination of these systemic factors is important when delivering comprehensive rehabilitation services to those with catastrophic injuries, such as SCI. The empirical evidence on drivers of successful RTW post SCI is, however, limited in comparison to the evidence on interventions for enhanced coping following SCI. Future studies could consider the relative merits of specific RTW interventions with SCI contrasting policy and capitation systems as well as utilising study designs that take into account pre-morbid work participation and secondary health conditions.

An online survey of adult women living in Australia with an acquired or congenital disability was conducted to explore the needs and challenges experienced by this population. Data for 116 respondents with a primary mobility (n = 92), sensory-related (n = 12), psychiatric (n = 6), or neurocognitive impairment (n = 6) were collected. Word clouds and content analysis were utilised to examine the data. Barriers to achieving vocational, health and relationship goals were identified, including systemic (e.g. financial resources, accessibility issues, societal attitudes), physical (e.g. medical sequalae), and psychological (e.g. self-concept, assertiveness) issues. Strategies to overcome these barriers included increased availability of peer support networks and opportunities for personal development. It follows that disability services require a multi-faceted approach, with a focus on biopsychosocial factors that include, but are not limited to, mobility, self-care and communication needs.