Variations in social capital among vocational rehabilitation applicants

Job retention: Perspectives of individuals with blindness and low vision

BACKGROUND: People with blindness and low vision (BLV) encounter many obstacles in retaining employment. Recent legislation has refocused vocational rehabilitation (VR) efforts toward job retention and career advancement among persons with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the skills, including technology, and other issues that influenced job retention among persons with BLV to gain in-depth knowledge that is not typically available using survey methods or secondary data sources. METHODS: Intensive interviews using a semi-structured protocol were conducted with 11 persons with BLV and an employment history. Interviews were transcribed, summarized by major themes, and approved by participants. A qualitative software program assisted in further coding, identifying additional themes, and organizing participants’ information. RESULTS: Participants recommended that others with BLV be proficient in assistive technology use, develop networks, and be persistent in achieving goals. Participants had positive and challenging experiences with technology, employers, and the VR service delivery system. Participants reported stress associated with their jobs and concern about their workplace efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that job retention continues to be problematic for persons with BLV. Service delivery systems should explore policies and services that support job retention. Further research concerning job stress, assistive technology, and workplace efficiency is needed.

Personal and Contextual Factors Associated With Successful Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Outcomes

Some individuals with disabilities have relatively better labor outcomes than others. If vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors can better understand what factors are correlated with positive outcomes, they could better identify what clients are at risk for poor outcomes and then intervene early to improve chances for success. Unfortunately, until recently VR survey and administrative data have had insufficient information to investigate these questions. We use a survey of 932 Ohio VR clients combined with administrative earnings data to examine the barriers and facilitators associated with employment and earnings outcomes. The survey data are from the 2014 Survey of Disability and Employment, a survey of VR applicants in three states. We compare VR case status and earnings through 2016, by demographics, functional limitation status, employment history and attitudes, and reasons stated for not working in the survey. We find that about 25% of survey respondents exited the program employed or had at least one quarter of average monthly earnings above the Social Security Administration’s substantial gainful activity amount. Pain, depression or anxiety, longer duration of job separation, personal and familial attitudes about work, and not working because of personal and health reasons were associated with poorer outcomes among survey respondents.