Outcomes of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury Served by State Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Abstract

Consumers with spinal cord injury (SCI) served by state vocational rehabilitation services programs receive a variety of services to help them achieve competitive employment and higher earning outcomes. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to determine whether there was a relationship between specific vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and vocational outcomes (i.e., competitive employment and weekly earnings) at closure and (b) to establish whether there was a relationship between specific demographic variables and vocational outcomes (i.e., competitive employment and weekly earnings) at closure. The RSA-911 data for fiscal year 2006 were analyzed. The analysis of specific VR service variables indicated job placement, maintenance, and rehabilitation technology were significantly related to competitive employment of consumers with SCI. However, rehabilitation technology was negatively related to competitive employment. Vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, college/university training, and rehabilitation technology were positively related to weekly earnings; whereas occupational/vocational training, on-the-job training, and job placement services were negatively related to weekly earnings. An analysis of demographic variables indicated that gender and age were not related to competitive employment. Level of education and race were related to competitive employment. Gender, age, educational level, and race were related to weekly earnings. Males, young consumers, consumers with most education, and Whites were more likely to earn higher salaries.