A state comparison of vocational rehabilitation support of youth with intellectual disabilities' participation in postsecondary education

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Abstract:

Study examined the role of vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs in promoting participation in postsecondary education for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). A secondary data analysis was conducted using the Rehabilitation Services Administration’s 911 dataset. Researchers compared the participation rate and postsecondary education outcomes of youth with ID and other disabilities who exited the VR program between 2006 and 2010 and determined if any trends related to the participation rate were apparent in different states. Results indicated that: (1) youth with ID were substantially less likely to participate in postsecondary education while in the VR system compared to youth with other disabilities, (2) their participation varied substantially across states, and (3) participation remained static, nationally, between 2006 and 2010, despite positive trends in several state VR programs. Overall, this study showed that state VR programs play an important role in assisting youth with ID to participate in postsecondary education, although to a lesser extent than youth with other disabilities.

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