A Systematic Review of Factors Related to Employment Outcomes for Adults with Visual Impairments

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Introduction:The purpose of this article was to conduct a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies on factors related to employment in consumers who are visually impaired using Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) Case Service Report data.Methods:We used database, hand, and ancestral search strategies to systematically identify peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and August 2018 where researchers used RSA-911 data to address the target question. All included articles were coded by two reviewers for study and participant characteristics, quality indicators, and outcomes.Results:Nine articles consisting of 14 analyses were included. Twelve analyses concerned employment outcomes; two concerned earnings. Researchers in most studies used large samples of 3,000 or more consumers and used multivariable analyses, most commonly multilevel logistic regression. Factors that consistently predicted lower employment across studies included presence of a secondary disability and legal blindness; higher education level consistently predicted higher employment, as did earnings and self-support at vocational rehabilitation application. Few analyses included state- or agency-level variables or specific vocational rehabilitation services.Discussion:These results indicate that certain groups of vocational rehabilitation consumers with visual impairments may be at greater risk of unsuccessful closures; researchers should examine specific strategies that may improve outcomes in these groups. These results also highlight the importance of education in securing employment among people with visual impairments. Researchers should examine state- and agency-level variables that may affect outcomes as well as the effects of specific services on outcomes. Additionally, researchers should analyze factors that may affect employment quality as well as employment outcomes.Implications for practitioners:Practitioners who are working with visually impaired people who do not have a postsecondary degree should encourage and assist their clients in obtaining one; practitioners may also wish to provide more targeted support for consumers from potentially high-risk subpopulations.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Related to Employment Outcomes for Vocational Rehabilitation Consumers with Visual Impairments: A Systematic Review

Lund

Cmar

2019

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“…A substantial amount of research has also supported the importance of higher education for employment outcomes of people with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision; Capella-McDonnall, 2005; Cimarolli & Wang, 2006; Cmar et al, 2018; Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2013; Leonard et al, 1999; McDonnall, 2016; Wolffe et al, 1992). Recent systematic literature reviews have documented the significant association between education and employment for this population (Lund & Cmar, 2019a, 2019b). Education was the variable that was most consistently related to employment in analyses of survey data (Lund & Cmar, 2019a) and analyses of Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report data of vocational rehabilitation consumers (Lund & Cmar, 2019b).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Recent systematic literature reviews have documented the significant association between education and employment for this population (Lund & Cmar, 2019a, 2019b). Education was the variable that was most consistently related to employment in analyses of survey data (Lund & Cmar, 2019a) and analyses of Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report data of vocational rehabilitation consumers (Lund & Cmar, 2019b).…”

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confidence: 99%

Educational Attainment and Employment for Individuals with Visual Impairments

McDonnall

Tatch

2021

Higher educational attainment is known to be associated with lower unemployment rates and higher employment rates and lifetime earnings for the general population (Tamborini et al., 2015; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019b, 2019a). A substantial amount of research has also supported the importance of higher education for employment outcomes of people with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision;

“…Two personal characteristics that have typically been associated with employment for this population were not significant predictors in this study—education level and health (Lund & Cmar, 2019b). Both approached but did not reach significance, perhaps overshadowed by the large effect of disability benefit receipt, which brings to attention one of the limitations of this study: sample size.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Personal Characteristics Associated with Working After Disability Onset for People with Visual Impairments

McKnight

Crudden

McDonnall

2021

Introduction: This study utilized data from the 2014 Survey of Disability and Employment (SDE) to examine personal characteristics that influenced employment after disability onset for people who are visually impaired (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision). Method: The selected sample from the SDE data set included 131 individuals who are visually impaired, had disability onset after age 14 years, and worked before their disability onset. Logistic regression was used to examine working after disability onset associated with age at disability onset, years since disability onset, gender, race, education, receipt of government disability benefits, self-reported health, encouragement received to work, additional disabilities, and the interaction between age at disability onset and years since disability onset. Results: Persons who were female, received government benefits, and had multiple disabilities were less likely to work after disability onset; persons who had more sources of encouragement were more likely to work after disability onset. Age at disability onset interacted with time since disability onset; as age increased, odds of working after disability onset increased but only for persons who had their disability for at least 4 years. Discussion: Persons with newly acquired disabilities may need time to adjust to their disability and learn new skills that allow them to continue employment. Information about how employment may influence receipt of government benefits would be helpful to persons evaluating their options regarding continuing employment. Implications for practitioners: A person who has not worked after recent disability onset may be adjusting to life with a disability and may return to work in the future. Encouragement to work from both service providers and family members made a meaningful difference in employment retention after disability onset, and this is an area that vocational rehabilitation professionals can influence.