Affiliations: [a]
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, USA
| [b]
Institution for Community Inclusion-University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| [c] Department of Early Childhood, University of Kentucky, Special Education & Rehabilitation, Lexington, KY, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Glacia Ethridge, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA. Tel.: +1 336 285 4391; Fax: +1 336 334 7916; E-mail: gethridg@ncat.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Ex-offenders with disabilities encounter barriers with obtaining employment upon post-release. Offender status may affect not only opportunities for employment, but earnings as well for ex-offenders with disabilities. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study is to discuss barriers to employment for ex-offenders with disabilities and to identify how racial/ethnically marginalized ex-offenders are disproportionately unemployed and earn less than their White counterparts. METHODS:Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses utilizing archival Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) data from fiscal years 2004– 2013 was employed. RESULTS:Findings indicated that African American ex-offenders with disabilities are employed at higher rates than both Hispanic and White ex-offenders but earn less than both of these groups. CONCLUSIONS:Implications for VR service providers, training and policy reform are discussed.
