Racial and Ethnic Members of Under-Represented Groups with Hearing Loss and VR Services: Explaining the Disparity in Closure Success Rates

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explain, from a VR service perspective, reported differences in proportions of successful closures (i.e., status 26) based on race/ethnicity (Caucasians, African-American, American-Indian, Asian-American) and Hispanic origin (Latinos, non-Latinos) for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. A series of cross tabulations and chi square analyses were utilized to investigate potential relationships between variables. Caucasians were found to achieve successful closure at a significantly higher proportion than did members of the race/ethnicity variable; non-Latinos were found to achieve successful closure at a significantly higher proportion than Latinos; a significantly lower proportion of those services found to be significantly associated with closure success (assessment and restoration) were provided to members of the race/ethnicity variable; a significantly lower proportion of those services (assessment, counseling and guidance, restoration, and job placement) found to be significantly associated with closure success were provided to Latinos. Implications of findings for service and research are discussed.

An Analysis of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Consumers with Hearing Impairments who Received College or University Training

“…The result that consumers who received transportation services were 41% less likely to become competitively employed supports other outcome studies involving consumers with hearing loss (Moore, 2001c;Moore, 2002c). Transportation services did not significantly contribute to a predictive model of closure status for deaf and hard of hearing consumers (Moore, 2001c) or a predictive model of income at closure for consumers who were deaf (Moore, 2002c). No previous studies were found in which information and referral services contributed to a model predicting competitive employment.…”

“…The extent to which VR services are effective on closure success for VR consumers with hearing impairments has been investigated by Moore (2001bMoore ( , 2001cMoore ( , 2002aMoore ( , 2002c using the data from the RSA-911 database. Moore (2001b) concluded that deaf and hard of hearing consumers are more likely to become competitively employed after receiving postsecondary education, on-the-job training, and job placement services than are deaf and hard of hearing consumers who did not receive these VR services.…”

Relationship of Consumer Characteristics and Service Provision to Income of Successfully Rehabilitated Individuals Who Are Deaf

“…These services (counseling and guidance, job placement) historically have assisted individuals with disabilities in achieving successful employment (Status 26) and obtaining higher income levels. Although the VR program has been mandated to ensure equal access to effective services, an abundance of empirical evidence exists that suggests a disparity in successful rehabilitation outcomes for individuals based on gender (Danek & Lawrence, 1984;Harrison & Wayne, 1986;Wheaton, Wilson, & Brown, 1996), race/ ethnicity (Dzeikan & Okocha, 1993;Feist-Price, 1995;Moore, 2001), and types of services provided (Fraser & Shirley, 1986;Moore, Flowers, & Taylor, 2000;Zandy & James, 1979).…”

“…Over the past several decades, a number of studies (Bolton, 1975;Lafitte, 1978;Moore, 2001;Watson, 1972) have focused on many of the aforementioned consumer and/or outcome variables for persons who are deaf. For example, Bolton reported that gender, race, and age were significant predictors of closure success.…”

“…Although some studies (Bolton, 1975;Lafitte, 1978;Moore, 2001;Watson, 1972) have evaluated the relationship between consumer variables and closure status, little research has focused on the relationship between level of income for persons who are deaf and various consumer and VR service variables. One of the objectives of this study thus was to investigate the relationships between income and consumer characteristics and VR service variables.…”