Rebekah Funk’s passion for helping individuals with disabilities runs deep. Because her brother lives with autism spectrum disorder, Funk (OTD ’23) has always had a special interest in reducing the “service cliff” that exists for autistic children who are transitioning from school to the world of work.
During her capstone experience as a doctoral student in the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT), she connected with several local agencies to explore various resources and services available for this age group. Among them was Life’sWork of Western PA, a nearly 100-year-old nonprofit organization that helps individuals overcome barriers to employment.
Funk’s commitment not only resulted in a job offer from Life’sWork, but the opportunity to help them develop and manage a new resource—the Vocational Skills Development Lab (VSDL).
The VSDL is unique to Pittsburgh. It utilizes simulated work environments that reflect real-world scenarios. In its facility on Pittsburgh’s South Side, the VSDL offers modular workstations to train clients for work in six high-demand industries: manufacturing, inventory management, production, hospitality, food service and retail.
According to Funk, it took a lot of companies and partners collaborating with Life’sWork to make the simulated workstations as realistic as possible. She says there are more than 50 potential job tasks available within these different work environments. It was her responsibility to create performance assessments to determine what skills are needed for each position.
“Every individual who comes through our doors is given an assessment,” explains Funk. “That enables us to be more proactive in where we’re placing the individuals we serve, making sure the placement is a good fit and meets their needs ahead of time.”
Clients earn minimum wage as they spend up to 12 hours a week over a period of four weeks rotating through the workstations. They learn about various careers, discover what they like, and participate in setting goals for their future.
After the assessment is complete, Funk makes recommendations for each individual based on their performance, as well as their skills and interests.
“Sometimes we find we need to change the tasks at hand or make accommodations for the individual so they can complete the task, but that’s what makes this training valuable,” Funk continues. “When we provide this kind of support, we build their self-confidence and determination skills, and that leads to success out in the community.”
OT Professor Joanne Baird is proud of her former student. “Rebekah drew from her personal experiences to meet a community need,” notes Baird. “She successfully applied classroom-acquired knowledge to the real world. By using evidence to support individuals with disabilities and their families, she is helping them pursue independence across their lifespan.”
Although the lab has only been operational since November 2023, it is already making an impact.
“We are fortunate to have many community partners who work with us on different levels,” says Funk.
Some VSDL graduates work at the Life’sWork facility, providing fulfillment services such as stuffing envelopes for mailing or assembling nuts, bolts, screws and instructions into packets for a manufacturer.
If a client is ready to take on a job outside of the Life’sWork facility, some community employment
options provide one-on-one support, while others offer small-group employment with a job coach on-site to supervise the group of Life’sWork clients.
While occupational therapists are renowned for thinking outside the box to provide personalized solutions, Funk’s work raises the bar.
“Rebekah is working in an area of practice with increased need,” notes Baird. “While it is widely understood that individuals with disabilities may not follow a traditional path in pursuit of employment, those who assist them are often unable to examine the complex factors that help to create a successful match between the person and the position.”
“As an occupational therapist, Rebekah is almost seeing into the future,” continues Baird. “Her specialized skills in client-centered treatment, combined with her ability to analyze activities, are the keys to a successful career journey.”
