Introduction: Given the low rate of closure of cases for employment, the study presented here analyzed the characteristics of consumers and services that predict competitive employment for youths with visual impairments who are making the transition from secondary education to employment in the vocation rehabilitation program. Methods: Using data…

Introduction: Given mutual concerns of vocational rehabilitation and the Social Security Administration, our purpose was to evaluate the effect of current individual and economic factors on competitive employment for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries with visual impairments in vocational rehabilitation. Methods: Using…

Race or ethnicity, demographic, and disability factors were investigated as predictors of vocational rehabilitation acceptance. Severity of disability was the strongest predictor, followed by education, a secondary disability, race or ethnicity, and age at the time of application; gender was not significant. Acceptance rates differed with specific…

This study, of racial and ethnic minorities' access (application and entry) to the state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) system, found that access percentages were higher for African Americans, lower for Whites, and about the same for Hispanic Americans relative to the percentages of persons of the same race and ethnicity who are visually…

This study used case closure data to investigate the demographic and disability characteristics, service, and outcomes of 36,497 consumers who are blind or visually impaired served in state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs. By contrasting key measures reported by separate blindness agencies and general agencies, findings indicate:…

Identifies the areas of knowledge in the field of blindness rehabilitation and provides outlines and references for the areas of access technology, business enterprise programs, and low vision. The outlines list information areas that specialists should know and skills they should be able to do in the specified area. (CR)

This article discusses self-employment as an employment option for individuals who are blind. Analysis of trends indicates the total number of facility managers who are blind in the Randolph-Sheppard Program declined from 3,524 in 1994 to 2,711 in FY 2001 and that self-employment outcomes typically cost less than competitive outcomes. (Contains…

A study investigated similarities and differences in the views of experienced vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors serving African Americans who are blind or visually impaired. A total of 26 counselors, 11 of whom were African American, reported their views in structured telephone interviews. In general, there were more similarities than…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that investigated differences in vocational rehabilitation (VR) services (expenditures, number, and duration) and outcomes (competitive sector placement and earnings) of consumers designated as legally blind in states with separate or combined (cross-disability) agencies. The sample included 35,396…