The Effects of Participant and Service Characteristics on the Employment Outcomes of RSA Consumers with Visual Impairments: A Follow-up on Agency-Type

Abstract

As a follow up to previous studies, this article explores the role of personal and service characteristics and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency type on the attainment of employment outcomes of persons with visual impairments. Results of the stepwise regression analysis indicated that the variables of age, education, and gender best predicted the employment outcomes of these consumers with visual impairments. Although statistically significant, agency type did not affect the income of VR consumers with visual impairments. Results suggested that agencies exclusively for persons with visual impairments have similar rates of success as general VR agencies.

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

“…Several personal characteristics have predicted employment outcomes among VR consumers with sensory disabilities, including gender, race, ethnicity, age, and disability-related factors. Male gender was positively associated with employment outcomes across sensory disability groups (Bradley, Geyer, & Ebener, 2013; Cimera et al, 2015; Darensbourg, 2013; Estrada-Hernández, 2008; Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2012, 2013; Moore, 2002). Findings regarding race, ethnicity, and age have been less conclusive.…”

“…Hispanic ethnicity predicted positive 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). Findings have been mixed regarding severity of hearing loss, with one study supporting higher odds of employment for consumers who are hard of hearing (Bradley et al, 2013) and another supporting higher employment rates for deaf consumers (Moore, 2001).…”

“…Several factors related to consumers’ status at application predicted employment at closure, including being employed at application/having earnings at application (Darensbourg, 2013; Dutta et al, 2008; Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2012, 2013), self as referral source (Darensbourg, 2013), and financial independence (self as primary source of support; Bradley et al, 2013). For consumers with sensory disabilities, higher education was associated with employment (Bradley et al, 2013; Cimera et al, 2015; Dutta et al, 2008; Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2012, 2013), higher earnings (Capella-McDonnall, 2001; Estrada-Hernández, 2008), and job quality (Cimera et al, 2015). Furthermore, receipt of government benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and SSDI, was negatively associated with employment (Cimera et al, 2015; Dutta et al, 2008; Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2012) and job quality (Cimera et al, 2015), while monthly SSDI amount was positively associated with obtaining employment (Giesen & Cavenaugh, 2013).…”

“…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).…”

Individual, agency, and state economic characteristics

“…In relation to agency type, in 1997, the National Council on Disability recommended that separate vocational grants designate specific agencies to serve individuals who are visually impaired (Cavenaugh, Giesen, & Pierce, 2000). Numerous studies have indicated that agencies specifically designed to serve individuals with visual impairments have higher acceptance rates and rehabilitation rates (Cavenaugh et al, 2000;Estrada-Hernandez, 2008;Kitchner, 1982). A VR agency enters OOS when it does not have enough funding or resources to serve all applicants who may be eligible for services.…”