Assistive technology services for adults with disabilities in state-federal vocational rehabilitation programs. 2024

Khalid A Alshamrani, and Marla C Roll, and Matt P Malcolm, and Aryn A Taylor, and James E Graham
Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

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. 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. 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). 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.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D012050 Rehabilitation, Vocational Training of the mentally or physically disabled in work skills so they may be returned to regular employment utilizing these skills. Vocational Rehabilitation,Rehabilitations, Vocational,Vocational Rehabilitations
D005260 Female Females
D006233 Disabled Persons Persons with physical or mental disabilities that affect or limit their activities of daily living and that may require special accommodations. Handicapped,People with Disabilities,Persons with Disabilities,Physically Challenged,Physically Handicapped,Physically Disabled,Disabilities, People with,Disabilities, Persons with,Disability, Persons with,Disabled Person,Disabled, Physically,Handicapped, Physically,People with Disability,Person, Disabled,Persons with Disability,Persons, Disabled
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective
D012656 Self-Help Devices Devices, not affixed to the body, designed to help persons having musculoskeletal or neuromuscular disabilities to perform activities involving movement. Assistive Devices,Assistive Technology,Assistive Device,Assistive Technologies,Device, Assistive,Device, Self-Help,Devices, Assistive,Devices, Self-Help,Self Help Devices,Self-Help Device,Technologies, Assistive,Technology, Assistive

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