Employment Outcome Rates of African American Versus White Consumers of Vocational Rehabilitation Services: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This research examined the relationship between race/ethnicity and rehabilitation outcomes as measured by closure status for VR consumers across two different target populations: persons with mental retardation and those who are deaf/hard-of-hearing. The researchers employed a meta-analysis to test the association between the predictor and criterion variables using select Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) driven studies. Data analyzed represent consumer case file information collected during the fiscal years of 1995-1996 through 1997-1998, the time period following passage of the 1992 Rehabilitation Act Amendments and implementation of the resulting Rehabilitation Cultural Diversity Initiative. The meta-analysis identified a significant relationship between race/ethnicity and closure status for each target population. African Americans with hearing loss and those with mental retardation were significantly less likely to achieve closure success when compared to Whites with respective disabilities. These findings and several implications for practice/service and disability policy are discussed.

A Way Forward With Multicultural Considerations, Advocacy, and Accessibility Across the 2023 Revised Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselor Educators and Practitioners

“…work collaboratively with a diverse group of individuals” (CRCC, 2017, p. 1). Discussions emerged among the task force members surrounding racial and ethnic health disparities concerning the gaps in services and trends of vocational outcomes for diverse consumers (Matrone & Leahy, 2005; Moore et al, 2009; Wilson, 2002). Discussions about such inequities in our backyard inspired the development of a new section of the Code that seeks to transform multicultural competencies (Arredondo et al, 1996; Atkins, 1988; Middleton et al, 2000) into enforceable standards of practice for all counselors to uphold.…”

“…Discussions about such inequities in our backyard inspired the development of a new section of the Code that seeks to transform multicultural competencies (Arredondo et al, 1996; Atkins, 1988; Middleton et al, 2000) into enforceable standards of practice for all counselors to uphold. Decreasing the racial and ethnic disparities across acceptance, service provision, closure types, and employment outcomes (Moore et al, 2009; Wilson et al, 2001; Wilson, 2002) was a vital element of focus throughout the revision of the ethics code. The new section, along with overall revisions to the ethics code, has been generated to hold rehabilitation counselors accountable for the ongoing gaps in services to many underserved groups.…”

Psychometric Validation of the Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy in a Sample of Undergraduate and Graduate Students in Rehabilitation: A Brief Report

“…Employment and health disparities are intensified for individuals with multiple intersecting identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, disability, and poverty) who are at risk for experiencing high levels of stigma, unconscious bias, health issues, and employment difficulties (Purdie-Vaughns & Eibach, 2008; Shaw et al, 2012; Vera et al, 2018). Rehabilitation researchers have suggested that racial biases were at least in part responsible for the inequitable patterns of VR service delivery for African Americans and other racial and ethnic minority clients (McGinn et al, 1994; Rosenthal et al, 2005; Wilson et al, 2001; Wilson & Senices, 2005).…”

Persons With Disabilities in Self-Employment Served by the Federal/State Vocational Rehabilitation System: Differences Between 2011–2013 and 2017–2019

“…The VR program is not free from bias and can influence service provision and outcomes for PWDs. Studies have reported racialized differences in VR acceptance rates (Rosenthal et al, 2005) and service provision (Wilson et al, 2002). Specifically, White VR consumers were 80% to 91% more likely to be closed in self-employment, whereas female VR consumers were 26% to 30% less likely to be closed in self-employment (Yamamoto & Alverson, 2013, 2017).…”