Vocational rehabilitation services and outcomes for transition-age youth with visual impairments and blindness

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:This study examined data provided by the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) in an effort to evaluate the impact of demographic variables, vocational rehabilitation services, and agency characteristics on the employment outcomes obtained by transition-age youth (i.e., 16 to 25 years old) with visual impairments and blindness. RESULTS: Results indicated that young adults who were male, Hispanic, between the ages of 23 and 25, not receiving Social Security disability benefits, and diagnosed with less severe visual impairments were more likely to become employed than younger, female, Caucasian young adults with more severe visual impairments who were receiving Social Security disability benefits. Receiving reader and assistive technology services also predicted successful employment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Results of this investigation document the importance of individualized VR services that promote long-term career success for transition-age youth with visual impairments and blindness.

Employment Outcomes and Job Quality of Vocational Rehabilitation Consumers With Deaf-Blindness

“…These studies can provide insight into factors that may be associated with employment for VR consumers who are deaf-blind. In some cases, researchers focused on specific subgroups such as consumers with congenital hearing loss (Moore, 2002), transition-age youth with visual impairments (Cimera, Rumrill, Chan, Kaya, & Bezyak, 2015; Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2012), consumers who received college or university training (Boutin & Wilson, 2009), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries (Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2013; Giesen & Hierholzer, 2016).…”

“…outcomes for transition-age youth who are blind or visually impaired (Cimera et al, 2015;Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2012), but not for adults with visual impairments (Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2013;McDonnall, 2016) or consumers who are deaf or hard of hearing (Bradley et al, 2013). In some studies, younger age was associated with positive employment outcomes (Capella-McDonnall, 2001;Darensbourg, 2013;Estrada-Hernández, 2008;McDonnall, 2016), and older age was associated with positive outcomes in another (Dutta et al, 2008).…”

“…Among consumers who are blind or visually impaired, agency type has been associated with employment outcomes, with those served by separate, or blind, agencies having better outcomes (Cavenaugh, 1999;Cavenaugh, Giesen, & Pierce, 2000;Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2013). However, agency type was not a relevant predictor of earnings (Capella-McDonnall, 2001;Estrada-Hernández, 2008), or employment outcomes or job quality for youth (Cimera et al, 2015). Counselor characteristics did not significantly predict employment for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing (Bradley et al, 2013), but having a high quality relationship between counselor and consumer was associated with employment for those who are blind or visually impaired (Capella-McDonnall, 2005).…”

“…Receipt of general or vocational supports (Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2012) has also predicted employment outcomes, including business and vocational training (Moore, 2001(Moore, , 2002, maintenance (Boutin, 2009;Boutin & Wilson, 2009;Cimera et al, 2015;Dutta et al, 2008), and other services (Boutin & Wilson, 2009;Dutta et al, 2008). Job readiness training, disability-related augmentative skills training, and interpreter services were negative predictors of employment in several studies (Boutin, 2009;Cimera et al, 2015;Giesen & Hierholzer, 2016).…”

The importance of assistive technology in the productivity pursuits of young adults with disabilities

“…However, AT was clearly an important strategy for engagement in productivity as discussed by participants in this study and supported by other recent research reports. For example, Cimera and colleagues [28] found that young adults who were blind and visually impaired who received AT through a vocational rehabilitation program were more likely to find employment, and Denny-Brown et al [29] highlighted how workers with disabilities relied on AT to prepare for and get to work, as well as to accomplish job-related tasks. However, these latter two examples must be tempered by the current findings and those of others [30] that clearly illustrate the individualized nature of AT.…”