Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Research Articles

Disability disclosure as an impression management technique used in the workplace: A grounded theory investigation.

In order to overcome obstacles to entry and inclusion in the workplace, individuals with disabilities engage in various impression management strategies to present themselves as the socially acceptable 'ideal employee.' This study expands on previous disclosure research by asking individuals with disabilities to share their experiences of identity management and workplace challenges. We leveraged qualitative research techniques to explore the reciprocal impact of workplace treatment and disclosure. Impression management emerged as an especially salient aspect of participants' disclosure decisions, and participants used an array of impression management tactics. Some employees with disabilities described positive experiences; however, we also learned that impression management can present unique challenges that may outweigh potential benefits. Our findings affirm that managing the image we project can be remarkably complicated and effortful when having a disability. This paper concludes with implementation recommendations for vocational rehabilitation counselors and human resource practitioners.

Employment after SCI: Experiences of Employers and State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Employment after SCI: Experiences of Employers and State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Demographic covariates and vocational rehabilitation services as predictors of employment outcomes of people with physical disabilities: a hierarchical logistic regression analysis

Purpose Stable employment is essential for the health, psychosocial, and financial well-being of people with physical disabilities (PwPD). Unfortunately, the low employment rate for PwPD in the U.S. exposes them to adverse effects of unemployment, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and physical pain. Helping PwPD find gainful employment will improve their general health and well-being. However, few empirical studies examine factors affecting the employment outcomes of PwPD. This study aims to examine the relationship between demographic covariates, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and employment outcomes of PwPD. Materials and Methods This secondary data analysis study includes 17,598 PwPD from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration’s Case Service Report (RSA-911) dataset. Our analysical approach was hierarchical logistic regression analysis. Results For VR services, workplace support, technology support, job placement assistance, and VR counseling significantly contribute to predicting employment outcomes for PwPD. Even after entering VR services, the demographic variables (age, race, education, referral sources, low-income, long-term unemployment, and disability significancy) were still significant predictors of employment. Conclusions Findings from this study can be used by state VR counselors and other disability service providers to plan and select effective employment-related interventions to improve the employment outcomes of PwPD.

Predicting competitive integrated employment outcomes of Asian American vocational rehabilitation Clients: A national study

AbstractPurposeThe current study investigated the relationships between demographic variables, cash benefits, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and employment outcomes of Asian Americans VR clients.MethodsThe data were extracted from the most recent Rehabilitation Service Administration database (RSA‐911). Among 17,278 case services records, 5784 clients met the inclusion criteria. Chi‐square automatic interaction detector and logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the employment outcomes.ResultsThe results indicated that Asian American clients who have completed a bachelor's degree or more do not receive disability‐related benefits, and those who received more VR services were more likely to achieve competitive integrated employment (CIE). In addition, VR counseling and job placement services were significant predictors of employment outcomes.ConclusionsThese findings provide valuable insights into the factors influencing CIE among Asian American VR clients with disabilities. The results further underscore the importance of VR professionals possessing cultural competence to effectively serve a diverse clientele.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors’ Perspectives on Rehabilitation Success

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies often encounter challenges to help persons with disabilities successfully attain their employment goals. This study was conducted to understand how VR counselors define “success” and what practices they deem to be most successful. Ninety-one VR counselors from a Midwestern state were asked to write about a typically successful case from their caseload. Participants were asked to describe the demographic characteristics of the counseling recipient, the rehabilitation goals, whether the consumer received support from family and/or community members, the counseling outcomes, services provided, and best practices that could lead to positive outcomes. Case summaries were content analyzed to identify how “success” is defined by VR counselors. Findings revealed that 74% of the cases were related to a successful employment outcome, 30% to an educational outcome, and 33% to an independent living outcome. Several best practices for serving VR customers were identified. Counselors have clear perceptions about their successful clients, and they may use those perceptions when engaging with their clients. Implications for VR service provision are discussed.

Veterans Health Administration Develops Rehabilitation Counselor Qualification Standards to Meet Future Needs

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) released qualification standards establishing the requirements for appointment as a rehabilitation counselor. The qualification standards represent a conversion of the previous vocational rehabilitation counselor occupational series to the broader discipline of rehabilitation counseling, the establishment of a national certification requirement, and conversion to the Hybrid Title 38 hiring authority to facilitate increased recruitment and retention. This article provides an overview of the new qualification standards and requirements for employment, reviews the occupation in the VHA, discusses internship opportunities, emphasizes how academia can help prepare students for service delivery to veterans, and offers guidance on connecting with a local Veterans Administration Medical Center and applying for federal employment.

How Degree Major and Demographic Factors Influence Employment and Earnings for College Graduates With Visual Impairments

The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of employment and earnings for college graduates with visual impairments, with an emphasis on the impact of college degree major on these outcomes. We utilized American Community Survey data to conduct a multinomial logistic regression analysis predicting employment (full-time/full-year versus less than full-time/full-year and not working) and a multiple regression analysis predicting annual earnings. Our predictor variables included demographic factors previously related to employment outcomes plus 25 college degree majors. Degree majors explained little variance in employment and earnings, although several specific majors were associated with these outcomes. Five majors predicted both: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Nursing, Accounting, and Finance. Age, gender, race, receipt of Social Security benefits, additional disabilities, having an advanced degree, and class of worker (earnings model only) were stronger predictors of employment outcomes than degree major. Degree majors that had significant relationships with earnings and employment in our study generally coincide with those for the general population. Vocational rehabilitation counselors should inform their consumers with visual impairments who are pursuing a college degree of differences in earnings and employment rates based on degree major.

Identifying the knowledge, skills, and barriers for self-employment

BACKGROUND: While self-employment is a viable and beneficial employment strategy for people with disabilities, there seems to be considerable variation in how state rehabilitation agencies support self-employment. Because of this variation, research is needed to identify the critical elements for facilitating self-employment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to gather information from vocational rehabilitation counselors about what they believe are the knowledge and skills essential to facilitating self-employment and the barriers to business ownership throughout key phases of the vocational rehabilitation process, including (a) application and intake, (b) plan development and service delivery, and (c) employment and closure. METHODS: A Delphi method with three iterations was used to identify information from VRCs and managers about what they believe are the knowledge, skills, and barriers when facilitating self-employment and business ownership during the vocational rehabilitation process. RESULTS: Respondents rated 15 knowledge and skill items for the application and intake domain, 19 knowledge and skill items in the plan development and service delivery domain, and 12 knowledge and skill items in the employment and closure domain. Respondents also rated three barriers for application and intake, six plan development and service delivery barriers, and three barriers were rated in employment and closure. CONCLUSION: The VRCs identified a wide range of knowledge and skills and barriers across each area of the rehabilitation process. More research should be conducted to further operationalize the skills and proficiencies for self-employment.

Facilitating self-employment as a competitive integrated employment outcome: Results of a focus group study with vocational rehabilitation professionals

BACKGROUND: Self-employment is defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 as a competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcome. However, an analysis of the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) reveals that a limited number of people with disabilities receiving vocational rehabilitation services exit the State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies with a self-employment outcome. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) professionals report as facilitators of self-employment outcomes for people with disabilities. METHOD: A national sample of VR professionals was recruited to participate in a series of focus groups. Using Zoom Meeting, participants discussed their experiences with self-employment when providing services to people with disabilities. The research team used NVivo12 software to conduct primary data analysis of the transcribed focus group sessions with the consent of the participants. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the analysis to include 1) resources, 2) practices, 3) experiences, and 4) attitudes. Each of these major themes contained subthemes related to facilitators of self-employment for people with disabilities. CONCLUSION: A key finding was the need for more comprehensive and individualized training and support for VR counselors. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.

An Investigation of the Collaborations Between Educators and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in Providing Pre-Employment Transition Services

Abstract Employment has historically provided a person with value and the ability to live a self-determined and independent life. Interagency collaborations have been found to play a key role in promoting employment for those with special needs. However, there is little research on identifying the needs of the field for collaborations between vocational rehabilitation and educational agencies. We conducted a series of eight focus groups in a large state in the United States and identified needs from educators and vocational rehabilitation counselors. Participants regularly noted that they needed increased collaboration and a need for additional training and education for all stakeholders. They also identified many barriers to this increased collaboration and training, including access to the community that they served, limitations on time for training, collaboration, and access, challenges in communication, including language limitations and trust, and limitations around the support that they received. On the other hand, they often felt supported by their administration, and, when collaboration was possible, their co-workers and external providers served as great resources.

Preliminary data from effects of knowledge translation methods on VR counselors providing pre-ETS to youth with significant disabilities: A brief report

BACKGROUND: Passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 placed an emphasis on increasing student education and preparation for employment for students as young as 14. When Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) was awarded a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) to establish a Rehabilitation and Research Training Center (RRTC) on employment for transition-age youth with disabilities, one of the studies focused on knowledge translation methods to develop and deliver a toolkit to assist VR counselors (and others) providing pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) to students 14 to 16 years of age with significant disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this practice brief is to share preliminary findings from Phase 1 and Phase 2 of VCU-RRTC on Employment of Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities’ study, Effects of Knowledge Translation Methods on Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Providing Pre-ETS to Youth with Significant Disabilities 14–16 years of age. METHOD: To prepare this practice brief, program staff conducted a thematic analysis of interview findings from Phase 1 and reviewed program materials from Phase 2 to identify preliminary observations. Program materials included instructor case notes, student reports, student pre- and post-tests, interviews with families, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and school staff after instruction. RESULTS: From Phase 1, VR counselors, educators, and families desired early exposure to career exploration and felt that interest-driven experiences and education was generally lacking. From Phase 2, it was observed that lesson content needed to be relevant and engaging to younger students, who often had a very abstract understanding of work and limited self-awareness about career interests, personal interests, and strengths. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings from Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the study underscore the desire and need to increase collaboration between educators, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and families. Observations from Phase 2 demonstrate the value of Pre-ETS instruction to younger students with significant disabilities, and how increased collaboration can prepare students for employment through early career exploration, workplace readiness skills, and community based work experiences.

Perspectives on the implementation of pre-ETS services: Identification of barriers and facilitators to early career planning for youth with disabilities

BACKGROUND: There are differences between and within states in the delivery of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students with significant disabilities early in their career planning process. This complicates the delivery of services for these youth with disabilities (YWD) and leaves gaps in communication between families, educators, and vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors. OBJECTIVE: To identify facilitators and barriers in the implementation of Pre-ETS to students with significant disabilities ages 14–16. Additionally, to gather data from rural, urban, and suburban areas spanning across two states to analyze the similarities and differences between these states. METHODS: Researchers from Virginia and Kentucky conducted semi-structured interviews with 56 participants representing VR counselors providing Pre-ETS, educators, and families. RESULTS: A majority of respondents stated that starting Pre-ETS with 14–16 year-olds provided numerous benefits. In both Virginia and Kentucky, educators and VR counselors expressed the need for more resources, particularly ongoing training for providing Pre-ETS to younger students in the transition process. Families recommended making activities meaningful and engaging by increasing job exploration and workplace readiness experiences. CONCLUSION: The results of the study provide insight on the implementation of Pre-ETS activities in local communities across two states. Implications are discussed for providing Pre-ETS to students with significant disabilities early in their career planning process.

Effects of postsecondary education on employment outcomes of youth with specific learning disabilities: A propensity score matching approach

BACKGROUND: Helping young adults with specific learning disabilities (SLD) attend college increases their chances of joining the workforce, which helps protect them from the negative effects of unemployment. OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether receiving vocational rehabilitation (VR) services of four-year college or university training would lead to improved employment outcomes for young adults with SLD. METHODS: Using the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)-911 database, a propensity score matching technique was employed to create a comparison group of young adults with SLD who did not receive college or university training for a treatment group of those who did. The quasi-experimental design investigated differences in the employment outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: Findings revealed that the group who received college or university training was more likely to obtain competitive employment upon exit from the VR program than the matched comparison group who did not receive the training; youth with SLD who received college or university training and had secured competitive employment at the time of exit also had significantly higher hourly wages and weekly working hours than their counterparts in the comparison group. CONCLUSION: College and university training is positively related to employment outcomes for young people with SLD. Implications for state VR counselors are also discussed.

Predictors of Job Satisfaction for People with Visual Impairments.

Introduction: Job satisfaction research has focused on the general population or specific careers. Little attention has focused on the job satisfaction of persons with visual impairments, particularly using standardized measures of job satisfaction. This study examined how relationships with colleagues and supervisors, opportunities for advancement, and employee demographics predict job satisfaction for employees with visual impairments. Methods: Researchers analyzed data from 195 employed participants from a larger study on job retention and career advancement. The Brief Job Satisfaction Measure II measured job satisfaction, and predictor variables focused on relationships with colleagues and supervisors, promotion opportunities, and demographics. Researchers used multiple linear regression to identify predictors of job satisfaction. Results: Individuals with visual impairments had high job satisfaction if they believed colleagues treated them the same as sighted colleagues and had supervisor support. Underemployed individuals with visual impairments experienced lower job satisfaction. Employees who identified their race as other, those who experienced vision loss after their first job, and participants with an additional disability had higher job satisfaction. Discussion: Social interactions with colleagues and supervisors contributed to the job satisfaction of employees with visual impairments. These interactions may make employees with visual impairments feel comfortable asking for workplace accommodations and more integrated into the workspace. While income was not a predictor of job satisfaction, underemployment was, indicating that individuals with visual impairments may not have achieved their maximum vocational potential. Implications for Practitioners: Individuals with visual impairments and service providers should look for opportunities to promote social interactions at work. Training co-workers and supervisors about working with persons with visual impairments and accommodations could be beneficial. Vocational rehabilitation counselors should also ensure program participants have employment opportunities that are both economically sustainable and commensurate with their interests and abilities.

Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Transition-Aged Youth: Lessons From the Literature

Objective:The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the current literature regarding the vocational rehabilitation services found effective in promoting employment among transition-age youth with disabilities as well as identifying factors affecting the effectiveness of those services.Methods:This study utilized the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines to theoretically and methodologically ground the systematic review. Through a three-stage filtering process, 35 studies were identified that helped identify common and effective vocational rehabilitation services for transition-aged youth.Findings:Three major themes were observed in the review of literature: validated vocational rehabilitation services, vocational rehabilitation counselor factors, and demographic variables.Conclusions:Additional research is needed in the role of disability severity as a variable of successful service provision. Further identifying successful vocational services for varying levels of disability severity will provide vocational rehabilitation consumers with more individualized options and has the potential to increase positive case closure rates. Lastly, research indicated a need for continued training of VR counselors to ensure they are meeting the needs of their consumers.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor burnout profiles and mindfulness

AbstractBurnout of vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors can not only lead to decreased job satisfaction and turnover but also damage the quality of VR services provided to clients with disabilities. It is an ethical obligation for VR counselors to engage in self‐care practices to prevent burnout. The current study surveyed 147 VR counselors from two State VR agencies about their current level of burnout and mindfulness related facets. Based on the latent profile analysis, four unique counselor burnout profiles were identified. These were well‐adjusted‐counselor, type I preserving‐counselor, type II preserving‐counselor, and disconnected‐counselor. Moreover, the results of multivariate analysis of variance tests disclosed that VR counselors with different counselor burnout profiles varied significantly on the mindfulness measure, especially in the facets of acting with awareness and non‐judging. The results have unique research and practice implications for the prevention and treatment of burnout of VR counselors.

Supports and barriers that entrepreneurs with disabilities encounter when starting their businesses.

Entrepreneurship is increasingly emerging as a viable employment option for many people with disabilities. It provides opportunities to develop interests, skills, and passion for starting a business. We conducted multiple interviews with various stakeholders to identify the perceived supports and barriers that people with disabilities encounter in the process of pursuing entrepreneurship. Individual interviews included 20 entrepreneurs with disabilities, 6 service providers, and 5 school administrators. This qualitative study used a constructivist grounded theory approach to shape the process of data collection, analysis, and theory building. People with disabilities interested in pursuing entrepreneurship benefit from facilitators such as social support, mentoring, and access to space, equipment, and money. Personal qualities include their desire to be "my own boss," help others, earn money, creativity, persistence, and flexibility. On the other hand, they may face several systemic barriers, such as the lack of infrastructure to set up the business, discrimination, lack of formal support from Vocational Rehabilitation counselors or their school settings, and/or lack of money. The systemic barriers can make it difficult for entrepreneurs to start and/or continue to operate their businesses. We discuss the implications of the findings for the development of entrepreneurship training for youth with disabilities and offer recommendations for future research and practice in the rehabilitation field. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Vocational rehabilitation service delivery: Technical assistance needs of vocational rehabilitation professionals

BACKGROUND: Americans with disabilities have historically faced substantial barriers to employment participation. The state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) program has played an important role in increasing the employment opportunities of Americans with disabilities through the provision of services and supports designed to lead to high-quality employment, independence, self-sufficiency, and full integration into the community. OBJECTIVE: The Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment (VRTAC–QE) was designed to bring together the broad range of existing quality employment strategies and supporting practices, identify and implement new ones, and incorporate them into an integrated training and technical assistance plan, consistent with the circumstances and priorities of each State VR agency that requests technical assistance. METHOD: In the present paper, we present the results of a needs assessment survey conducted among State VR rehabilitation counselors and professionals in cooperating rehabilitation agencies and services. RESULTS: The purpose of the present study was to determine technical assistance and training needs of State VR counselors in four practice domains: (a) outreach services, (b) pre-employment transition services, (c) vocational rehabilitation services, and (d) employment services. CONCLUSION: Implications and future directions are also discussed.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Labor Market Outcomes for Transition‐Age Youth with Disabilities in Maine

AbstractUsing administrative data from Maine to quantify the effect of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services on employment outcomes for transition‐age youth with disabilities, we exploited the variation in VR counselors’ propensity to develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) for VR youth as an instrument for service receipt. We found that among the estimated 36 percent of VR clients on the margin of service receipt, having an IPE implemented increases quarterly employment rate by 15.4 percentage points and quarterly earnings by $1,442 (2018 dollars). We found heterogeneous program effects with individuals 18 or younger benefiting significantly more than those older than age 18 at the time of VR application. We estimate the annual real rate of return to be 10.2 percent for two years after VR case closure.

Perceived Impact of Video Gaming on Employment: Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To learn how video games impact individuals in multiple contexts of functioning. To gain knowledge of players' perspectives of their video gaming behaviors on the impact of attaining/maintaining employment. To gain an understanding of players' perceptions of how game play translates to acquiring transferrable skills in the workplace. <h3>Design</h3> Mixed methods study examining perceptions of players' gaming behaviors on past, current and future employment. Likert scale to assess players' perceptions regarding the impact, both positive and negative, of their game play on employment. Qualitative feedback requested for richer data on how gaming impacted their ability to obtain/maintain employment. <h3>Setting</h3> Data were collected via an anonymous online survey through social media and forum-based websites. <h3>Participants</h3> Inclusion criteria - individuals aged 18 years or older who have played a video game within the last month. <h3>Interventions</h3> This study did not employ an intervention. It was conducted to inform future research/interventions that promote wellness and balance for individuals who engage in video game play and strategies/interventions to enhance clinician knowledge/skills to meet the needs of gamer clients with focus on addressing problematic game play affecting the ability to perform in the workplace. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Data was collected on perspectives of an anonymous sample of gamers to inform future studies/interventions related to problematic gaming behaviors. <h3>Results</h3> 139 respondents. 82% "disagreed" or "strongly disagreed" that gaming had an impact on obtaining or maintaining/retaining employment. Gamers identified transferrable skills gained from video games that have actively contributed to productivity in the workplace. Negative implications focused on too much time spent gaming or prioritizing gaming instead of work. This can cause lack of productivity and avoidance of workplace responsibilities. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Due to the high use and accessibility of video games, understanding how to target problematic gaming behaviors that inhibit ability to function in the workplace is needed. Study results support further exploration of gaming behaviors with focus on implications for individuals with disabilities. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> We disclose that we are colleagues with an ACRM Board member, Dr. Tina Dillahunt-Aspillaga.