Vocational rehabilitation services and employment for SSDI beneficiaries with visual impairments

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Martin Giesen ◽  
Anne Hierholzer
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Factors Related to Employment Outcomes for Vocational Rehabilitation Consumers with Visual Impairments: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 518-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Lund ◽  
Jennifer L. Cmar
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Employment Outcomes ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Visually Impaired People ◽  
Rehabilitation Services Administration ◽  
Report Data

Introduction:The purpose of this article was to conduct a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies on factors related to employment in consumers who are visually impaired using Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) Case Service Report data.Methods:We used database, hand, and ancestral search strategies to systematically identify peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and August 2018 where researchers used RSA-911 data to address the target question. All included articles were coded by two reviewers for study and participant characteristics, quality indicators, and outcomes.Results:Nine articles consisting of 14 analyses were included. Twelve analyses concerned employment outcomes; two concerned earnings. Researchers in most studies used large samples of 3,000 or more consumers and used multivariable analyses, most commonly multilevel logistic regression. Factors that consistently predicted lower employment across studies included presence of a secondary disability and legal blindness; higher education level consistently predicted higher employment, as did earnings and self-support at vocational rehabilitation application. Few analyses included state- or agency-level variables or specific vocational rehabilitation services.Discussion:These results indicate that certain groups of vocational rehabilitation consumers with visual impairments may be at greater risk of unsuccessful closures; researchers should examine specific strategies that may improve outcomes in these groups. These results also highlight the importance of education in securing employment among people with visual impairments. Researchers should examine state- and agency-level variables that may affect outcomes as well as the effects of specific services on outcomes. Additionally, researchers should analyze factors that may affect employment quality as well as employment outcomes.Implications for practitioners:Practitioners who are working with visually impaired people who do not have a postsecondary degree should encourage and assist their clients in obtaining one; practitioners may also wish to provide more targeted support for consumers from potentially high-risk subpopulations.

Overview of Vocational Rehabilitation Data about People with Visual Impairments: Demographics, Services, and Long-Run Labor Market Trends

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Clapp ◽  
John V. Pepper ◽  
Robert Schmidt ◽  
Steven Stern
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Labor Market Outcomes ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Market Outcomes ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Long Run ◽  
State Variation

Introduction: This study describes the characteristics of, services received by, and labor market outcomes of applicants with visual impairments to three state vocational rehabilitation programs. Our objective is to both document cross-state variation in vocational rehabilitation clientele and services and provide new insights on the longitudinal labor market outcomes of clients with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision). This analysis is a first step in assessing the returns to vocational rehabilitation services for this population. Methods: We first created a unique longitudinal data set by matching administrative records on applicants who are visually impaired in state fiscal year 2007 from three vocational rehabilitation agencies to 8 years of employment data from state Unemployment Insurance programs. Using these data, we examined cross-state variation in the descriptive statistics for important client explanatory variables and vocational rehabilitation service categories. We then compared the long-term labor market outcomes of clients receiving services (treated) to untreated individuals. Results: We documented two important findings. First, there were substantial differences in client characteristics, services provided, and costs across the three states. Second, the long-run labor market analysis was consistent with vocational rehabilitation services having no employment effect but a positive earnings effect. Discussion: Labor market results indicate vocational rehabilitation services provided persistent earnings benefits. Yet the substantial cross-state heterogeneity suggests these labor market results might not be generalizable and should be interpreted with caution. We explain what was missing from this analysis and why the results should not be thought of as causal. Implications for Practitioners: This article gives practitioners a sense of a unique new data set on vocational rehabilitation and labor market variables for applicants with visual impairments. We highlight the importance of cross-state variation and linking vocational rehabilitation data to long-term employment measures. The question of how best to inform the efficacy of different vocational rehabilitation strategies for clients with visual impairments is left for future researchers to consider.

Vocational Rehabilitation for the Visually Impaired Diabetic

1978 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 374-376
Author(s):  
Frederick A. Silver
Keyword(s):  
Vocational Rehabilitation ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Visual Condition ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Center Staff ◽  
Vocational Rehabilitation Services ◽  
Specialized Services

Describes the specialized services the visually impaired diabetic requires in addition to the usual vocational rehabilitation services. The diabetic must be trained in self-administration of insulin, in proper hygiene, and the correct diet must be made available. Counselor and rehab center staff must cooperate in handling the diabetic's unstable physical and visual condition and must be prepared to cope daily with new complications and possible emergencies.

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