Assistive technology services for adults with disabilities in state-federal vocational rehabilitation programs

Abstract

Purpose

Prior research indicates that the provision of assistive technology (AT) services positively predicts successful employment outcomes in vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs. While AT services can be promising, they are underutilized overall, and there are apparent disparities in AT service utilization. The purpose of this study was to identify sociodemographic factors which may act as barriers to receiving AT services in VR programs. Recognizing potential disparities is the first step in improving equity in access to beneficial services.

Materials and methods

This study is a retrospective analysis of national data collected by the Rehabilitation Service Administration’s Case Service Report from fiscal years 2017–2019. The sample included 788,173 cases that reported having a disability, were aged ≥18 years old, was deemed eligible for VR services, and had a complete set of data.

Results

Less than 9% of VR clients received AT services. We ran a multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the independent effects of various sociodemographic variables on the likelihood of receiving AT services through VR programs. The following client characteristics were associated with a lower likelihood of receiving AT services: men, unemployed, minority, low income, significant disability, non-enrolled in post-secondary education, mental or cognitive disability, less education, and younger age (all p < .001).

Conclusion

The findings emphasize the need for more research to identify underlying mechanisms and potential solutions to these apparent disparities in access to AT services for adults with disabilities. Future research and implications are provided.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Increasing assistive technology (AT) training in counsellor education and offering more AT training for in-service rehabilitation counsellors to increase their competence to serve individuals with diverse disabilities, particularly those with cognitive and mental disabilities.

• Counsellors should be encouraged to use a team approach to ensure the most effective AT solutions are provided, and improve access to age-appropriate AT for younger individuals.

• Counsellors should identify alternative funding sources and refine eligibility criteria for low-income individuals, and develop effective means for educating less-informed individuals about the benefits of AT, and recognise the limited access of minority groups to receive services within vocational rehabilitation programs.

Keywords:

• Assistive technology
• rehabilitation service administration
• disparities
• disabilities
• vocational rehabilitation

Acknowledgments

We thank the Assistive Technology Resource Center and health services research team at Colorado State University for their support, useful discussions, and comments on the manuscript. The contents of this manuscript were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (90IFRE0057). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this manuscript do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Disclosure statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest in any regard with respect to publishing this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Grant # 90IFRE0057).