Affiliations: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of
Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Pat Brown, Department of Rehabilitation
Medicine, University of Washington, Box 357920, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Tel.:
+1 206 543 6387; Fax: +1 206 543 4779; E-mail: pabrown@u.washington.edu
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Disability prevalence in older adults is
increasing. Given the low rates of employment among people with disabilities,
especially those aging with multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI),
late effects of polio (LEP), and muscular dystrophy (MD), services from
federal-state vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs could positively impact
employment status. OBJECTIVE: To describe VR services for individuals
aging with MS, SCI, LEP and MD and the impact of aging on employment status. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen Washington State VR counselors and 26 individuals,
45 to 65 years old, with MS, MD, LEP or SCI. METHODS: We examined national Rehabilitation Services Administration data (2006, 2007), including
case closure, service outcomes and other demographics. We then purposively
selected Washington State for our study. Interviews provided consumer and
counselor perspectives on the components of successful case closure (employed)
and the impact of aging and disability on employment. RESULTS: Washington State and national data were similar. Organizational and individual factors
influence the effectiveness of VR services. CONCLUSION: People who could benefit from VR services are not being served; those who are served, are
getting neither comprehensive services nor high quality outcomes. Additional
research is needed to understand the variables associated with effective use of VR services.
Keywords: Employment, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, late effects of polio
