Overview of Vocational Rehabilitation Data about People with Visual Impairments: Demographics, Services, and Long-Run Labor Market Trends

Abstract

Introduction: This study describes the characteristics of, services received by, and labor market outcomes of applicants with visual impairments to three state vocational rehabilitation programs. Our objective is to both document cross-state variation in vocational rehabilitation clientele and services and provide new insights on the longitudinal labor market outcomes of clients with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision). This analysis is a first step in assessing the returns to vocational rehabilitation services for this population. Methods: We first created a unique longitudinal data set by matching administrative records on applicants who are visually impaired in state fiscal year 2007 from three vocational rehabilitation agencies to 8 years of employment data from state Unemployment Insurance programs. Using these data, we examined cross-state variation in the descriptive statistics for important client explanatory variables and vocational rehabilitation service categories. We then compared the long-term labor market outcomes of clients receiving services (treated) to untreated individuals. Results: We documented two important findings. First, there were substantial differences in client characteristics, services provided, and costs across the three states. Second, the long-run labor market analysis was consistent with vocational rehabilitation services having no employment effect but a positive earnings effect. Discussion: Labor market results indicate vocational rehabilitation services provided persistent earnings benefits. Yet the substantial cross-state heterogeneity suggests these labor market results might not be generalizable and should be interpreted with caution. We explain what was missing from this analysis and why the results should not be thought of as causal. Implications for Practitioners: This article gives practitioners a sense of a unique new data set on vocational rehabilitation and labor market variables for applicants with visual impairments. We highlight the importance of cross-state variation and linking vocational rehabilitation data to long-term employment measures. The question of how best to inform the efficacy of different vocational rehabilitation strategies for clients with visual impairments is left for future researchers to consider.

Predictors for work participation of people with visual impairments: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Twelve studies (21%) used a definition that included competitive employment, 23,49,54–63 five used paid or gainful employment 19,64–67 and one study used open employment 68 or earnings set above minimum federal wage 69 . Although most studies focused on describing employment outcomes for working‐age adults, a few (12%) also included participants who were not part of the working‐age population (e.g., retired, students) or lacked a separate analysis for working‐age participants 54,70–75 …”

“…69 Although most studies focused on describing employment outcomes for working-age adults, a few (12%) also included participants who were not part of the working-age population (e.g., retired, students) or lacked a separate analysis for working-age participants. 54,[70][71][72][73][74][75] Most studies included samples with all participants being visually impaired, except for 10 studies (18%), 27,70,[72][73][74][76][77][78][79][80] of which half was part of a national epidemiological study. 27,70,72,73,80 The severity of visual impairment (e.g., total/legal blindness, low vision) or fulfilment of certain criteria for low vision (e.g., the criteria for visual impairment by the International Classification of Diseases [ICD] or the WHO) was reported in the majority of studies.…”

“…These studies were all performed in the United States or Asia, but not in Europe. Study samples with a majority of their participants, who were or had been in a VR setting, [49][50][51][54][55][56][57][58][59][60]62,63,65,67,69,71,78,82,[87][88][89][90][91] reported a somewhat higher employment rate mean compared with samples not from a VR setting; 50% and 46% respectively. Moreover, six studies investigated the association between different types of VR services and employment.…”

The Underutilization of Mental Health Care Services in the Lives of People with Blindness or Visual Impairment: A Literature Review on Rehabilitation Factors Toward Provision

“…N = 1555. Purposive sampling Novel, multivariate model Results showed that when combining the employment and earnings effects together, apart from diagnosis and evaluation, all service types had positive long-run effects Clapp et al 87 VR administrative data from three separate states; N = 1964 Descriptive analysis Results indicated persistent earnings benefits; however, there was substantial cross-state heterogeneity relative to types of services offered. Recommendations relative to care practitioners aiding people with BVI in cultivating independence and seeking alternative quality of life outcomes McDonnall & Lund, 88 Hiring managers.…”

Beyond Employment Rates: Earnings of People With Visual Impairments

“…Research with other data sources has focused on earnings and factors associated with earnings of Americans with visual impairments (Bell & Mino, 2015; Silverman et al, 2019), including vocational rehabilitation consumers (Bell, 2010; Capella, 2001; Clapp et al, 2020; Estrada-Hernández, 2008; Giesen & Lang, 2018). The average annual earnings of survey participants with visual impairments in 2011 were $40,134, and median earnings were $35,000 (Bell & Mino, 2015).…”