You are invited to participate in a research study aimed to evaluate: the employability skills currently emphasized in vocational training programs based on the Career Technical Education (CTE) employability skills framework and the employability skills most crucial for vocational programs for neurodiverse individuals based on the CTE employability skills framework. We will measure the effectiveness and focuses on the current vocational training programs using the CTE employablility skills framework and obtain your opinion on the employability skills most crucial for such vocational programs. Using the measures, we will evaluate how well the current vocational training programs for neurodiverse individuals effectively focus on training employability skills most demanded in the workforce.
We hope to use these measures to evaluate the relationships between vocational training and neurodiverse individuals' employability/employment metrics to ultimately contribute towards the advancement of programs aimed to support neurodiverse individuals.
DURATION OF STUDY INVOLVEMENT:
The overall study will be conducted over the span of 2 years. Your participation will be over the course of 1 questionnaire. The questionnaire will take approximately 5-15 minutes to complete. Your physical presence will not be required.
PROCEDURES
If you choose to participate, you will be directed to the study questionnaire after completing this consent form. The questionnaire will take approximately 5-15 minutes to complete.
No participant names or other personal identification information will be recorded.
PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITIES:
As a participant, your responsibilities include:
- Complete your survey as instructed.
- Ask questions if you have them for the survey.
- If the participant has concerns about his/her decision making capacity, he/she should consider consulting with his/her physician on whether or not he/she has the decision making capacity to make decisions and participate in this study.
POSSIBLE RISKS, DISCOMFORTS, AND INCONVENIENCES:
There are risks, discomforts, and inconveniences associated with any research study some of which may be unforeseeable. These deserve careful thought. You should talk with the Protocol Director if you have any questions.
- Minor risk of loss of privacy and confidentiality
- Minor risk of fatigue and/or frustration from the questionnaires.
CONFIDENTIALITY
- The survey built on Stanford Qualtrics will be used to gather data securely. Data will not include identifiable information as all participants will remain anonymous.
- The survey results could be used for future research studies or distributed to another investigator for future research studies without additional informed consent from you.
- The results of this research study may be presented at scientific or medical meetings or published in scientific journals. Your identity and/or your personal health information will not be disclosed except as authorized by you or as required by law. However, there is always some risk that even de-identified information might be re-identified.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS:
We cannot and do not guarantee or promise that you will receive any benefits from this study. However, your participation may benefit future patients with autism spectrum disorder or other neurodiverse individuals.
ALTERNATIVES:
The alternative is not to participate in this study. Choosing to not participate in this study will not affect the care you receive at Stanford Hospital.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Costs: There is no cost to you for participating in this study
Payment: There is no payment for participating in this study.
PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS
If you have read this form and have decided to participate in this project, please understand your participation is voluntary and you have the right to withdraw your consent or discontinue participation at any time. You have the right to refuse to answer particular questions in the survey. The results of this research study may be presented at scientific or professional meetings or published in scientific journals. However, your identity will not be recorded thus will not be disclosed. You should not feel obligated to agree to participate.
WITHDRAWAL FROM STUDY:
If you first agree to participate and then you change your mind, you are free to withdraw your consent and discontinue your participation in the study at any time. Your decision will not affect your ability to receive medical care for your disease and you will not lose any benefits to which you would otherwise be entitled. If you decide to withdraw your consent to participate in this study, you should notify Dr. Fung at (650) 498-9392. If you withdraw from the study, your survey responses will not be analyzed or used for other purposes. The Study Staff may remove you from the study at any time, without your consent for any of the following reasons:
- if it is in your best interest
- if it is considered important for your safety
- if it is discovered that you did not give an accurate history
- if you did not follow the guidelines of the study
- you do not consent to continue in the study after being told of changes in the research that may affect you - failure to follow the instructions of the Protocol Director and study staff
- unanticipated circumstances or for any other reason
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Questions, Concerns, or Complaints: If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about this research study, its procedures, risks and benefits, or alternative courses of treatment, you should ask the Protocol Director, Dr. Fung. You may contact him now or later at (650) 498-9392.
Injury Notification: If you feel you have been hurt by being a part of this study, please contact the Protocol Director, Dr. Fung, at (650) 498-9392.
Independent Contact: If you are not satisfied with how this study is being conducted, or if you have any concerns, complaints, or general questions about the research or your rights as a participant, please contact the Stanford Institutional Review Board (IRB) to speak to someone independent of the research team at (650) 723-5244 or toll free at 1-866-680-2906. You can also write to the Stanford IRB, Stanford University, 1705 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
