Date of Paper
5-2017
Type of Paper
Clinical research paper
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Mari Ann Graham
Department/School
Social Work
Abstract
Employment rates are much lower among individuals with disabilities, and lower still for those with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). This study systematically reviewed a subset of existing research studies to determine how well vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs have affected economic outcomes for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Findings demonstrate that while persons receiving VR services are more likely to obtain employment, only 18% are working competitively, often for minimum wage. Studies varied in how earnings were reported. Emergent themes include the prevalence of poverty, challenges with providing person-centered interventions, barriers to inclusion in integrated work settings, barriers to obtaining employment, and the lack of first-hand data from the recipients of VR services. Implications for social work practice, policy, and recommendations for future research are also discussed.
Recommended Citation
Desmond, Susanne. (2017). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Vocational Rehabilitation in Economic Outcomes for Adults with Disabilities. Retrieved from Sophia, the St. Catherine University repository website: https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/720