Racial Variation in Vocational Rehabilitation Outcomes: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Abstract

Numerous studies have indicated racial and ethnic disparities in the vocational rehabilitation (VR) system, including differences in acceptance, services provided, closure types, and employment outcomes. Few of these studies, however, have used advanced multivariate techniques or latent constructs to measure quality of employment outcomes (QEO) or tested hypothesized models for the relationship between race, personal history characteristics, and VR employment outcomes. This study tested an implied conceptual model for the relationship between race, personal history characteristics, and QEO for White, Black, and Hispanic participants in the VR system. The study used structural equation modeling (SEM) and 2006 RSA 911 data. The implied conceptual model was tested for goodness of fit and multiple-group invariance. The final structural model indicated moderate model fit. It also indicated interaction effects for race by gender and for race by public support. Study limitations and suggestions for further research are described.

Differential vocational rehabilitation service patterns and outcomes for transition-age youth with specific learning disabilities: Implications in the COVID-19 era

“…Overall, these findings indicated that, among the demographic variables, cash benefits were the most important factor that differentiated competitively employed individuals from those who had unsuccessful outcomes. This result is in line with previous research indicating that cash benefits had a significant correlation with employment outcomes for people with SLD (Gonzales et al, 2009;Martin, 2010;Mambaleo et al, 2016). As transition-age youth with SLD who received cash benefits may have more severe disabilities, it stands to reason that they would have poorer employment outcomes (Strauser, 2014).…”

State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation in Traumatic Brain Injury: What Predictors Are Associated With Employment Outcomes?

“…It is possible that Whites were more likely to receive externally purchased supported employment services and less likely to receive basic transportation services than Blacks/African Americans. This finding is supported by some of the preamble to the 1992 amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and some consistency in findings from three decades of VR disparity research which shows that in comparison with Whites, individuals from racial/ethnic minority groups (a) are more likely to receive fewer services, (b) are more likely to receive lower cost services, and (c) are less likely to receive externally purchased services (Bellini, 2003; Feist-Price, 1995; Martin, 2010).…”

“…Research on racial/ethnic variation in employment is critical for improving VR policy and practice (Martin, 2010). Although some VR studies examined the interactions of certain demographic and work disincentive variables in relation to rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with disabilities (Harley, Wilson, & DeShea, 2002; Rosenthal et al, 2001; Wheaton, Wilson, & Brown, 1996), few studies (Cardoso et al, 2007; Catalano et al, 2006) have examined the interaction effects of demographics, work disincentives, and VR service on employment outcomes of individuals with TBI.…”

Predictors of Outcomes for African Americans in a Rehabilitation State Agency: Implications for National Policy and Practice

“…Tay- lor-Ritzler et al (2010) argued that with few exceptions (see Wheaton, 1995;Whitfield, Venable, & Broussard, 2010;Wilson, 1999), when compared to White consumers, ethnic minorities are significantly less likely to be accepted for services or to obtain gainful employment and when employed, they earn less income than Whites. Martin (2010) pointed out that despite the numerous studies that have indicated racial and ethnic disparities in the VR system, including differences in acceptance, services provided, closure types, and employment outcomes, few of these studies have used advanced multivariate techniques or latent constructs to measure quality of employment outcomes (QEO) or tested hypothesized models for the relationship between race, personal characteristics, and VR employment outcomes. Martin used the 2006 RSA 911 data to test an implied conceptual model for the relationship between race, personal characteristics, and QEO for White, Black, and Hispanic participants in the VR system.…”