Comparing employment outcomes for youth with learning disabilities and postsecondary educational experience

BACKGROUND: Youth with specific learning disabilities (SLD) benefit from postsecondary educational experiences (PSE) and vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. However, it is unknown how obtaining PSE may affect employment outcomes for youth with SLD who receive VR services. It is also unclear if VR services provided to these youth are cost-effective and cost-efficient. OBJECTIVE: To compare differences in employment outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and cost-efficiency of VR services for youth with SLD and different education levels. METHODS: Descriptive statistical analyses compared employment outcomes of youth with SLD who receive VR services and have different education levels. Service cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency from the taxpayers' perspective were also analyzed. RESULTS: Employment outcomes improved as education level increased. VR services for youth with SLD with PSE were most cost-effective when cost-per-dollar earned was calculated, but least cost-effective in terms of cost-perhour worked. While VR services for youth with SLD and PSE were ultimately cost-efficient, it took 125 months to achieve. CONCLUSIONS: Youth with SLD receiving VR services who have PSE experienced the best employment outcomes. Future research is needed to investigate how employment changes over time affect public investments, how specific VR services impact cost-effectiveness, and how the intersection of race/ethnicity and disability may influence PSE participation.