Perspectives of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors on the Factors Related to Employment Outcomes of Racial and Ethnic Minorities With Disabilities

Abstract

This study identified effective strategies to promote employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities (consumers) from diverse cultural backgrounds. Twenty-one vocational rehabilitation counselors participated in semistructured interviews. Data revealed 5 major themes: (a) implementing an empowerment approach to case management; (b) establishing successful counseling relationships; (c) providing supports to help consumers adjust to or cope with their disability; (d) supporting consumers in obtaining and maintaining employment; and (e) assisting employers in understanding disability issues. These themes are applicable for the social work profession as well.

KEYWORDS:

• employment
• empowerment approach
• ethnic minorities
• vocational rehabilitation counselors

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education, through a grant to the Center for Capacity Building on Minorities With Disabilities Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago (Grant No. H133A040007). The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of NIDRR.