Demographic Variables, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and Employment Outcomes for Transition-Age Youth With Intellectual Disabilities

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between demographic factors, vocational rehabilitation services, and employment outcomes for youth intellectual disabilities (ID). Findings from this study may potentially generate knowledge that could be used to inform development of new services and improvement of individualized vocational rehabilitation services for youth with ID. Chi-squared automatic interaction detector and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to investigate relationships between demographic variables, receipt of VR services and employment outcomes for youth with ID. The results indicate gender, race, education level, and cash benefits were significantly associated with employment outcomes for youth with ID. After controlling for the effect of demographic variables, job placement, on-the-job support, on-the-job training, maintenance, other services, technical assistance, and diagnostic and treatment services were significantly associated with competitive employment. Youth with ID who had a higher level of education were more likely to obtain competitive employment. In addition to it, job-related services (e.g., job placement and on-the-job support) were significantly positively related to employment outcomes for youth with ID. There is a need for customized and supported employment, which has been found to be an effective in enhancing the employability of people with ID.