Panel Paper: Competitive Employment Outcomes of Vocational Rehabilitation

Thursday, November 8, 2012 : 3:00 PM
Washington (Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel)

*Names in bold indicate Presenter

Frank Martin1, Richard Walls2, Martin Brodwin3, Randall Parker4, Frances Siu3 and Ed Kurata5, (1)Mathematica Policy Research, (2)West Virginia University, (3)California State University, (4)University of Texas at Austin, (5)Self-employed


This study examined occupational outcomes for successfully closed state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) consumers in the 2008 fiscal year using the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The study replicated previous research by Walls and Fullmer (1997) that investigated the top 50 job titles and the top five occupations by disability categories after vocational rehabilitation. Median hourly wages for VR participants are reported and compared with those of the general labor force (GLF). Findings and implications are discussed, and suggestions are offered to rehabilitation counselors about how to expand consumers’ job and career options. The study replicates previous research by Walls and Fullmer (1997) that investigated the top 50 job titles and the top five occupations by disability categories after vocational rehabilitation. Median hourly wages for VR participants are reported and compared with those of the general labor force. Findings and implications are discussed, and suggestions are offered to rehabilitation counselors about how to expand consumers’ job and career options.

Full Paper: