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Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Vocational Rehabilitation In Economic Outcomes For Adults With Disabilities, Susanne Desmond

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

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, …