Affiliations: [a]
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement, Des Moines, IA, USA
| [b] Drake University Law School, Des Moines, IA, USA
| [c] Griffin-Hammis Associates, Atlanta, GA, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Kathryn Hansen, The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement, 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311, USA. E-mail: Kathryn.Hansen@Drake.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies play a critical role in helping people with disabilities gain employment; however, self-employment remains an infrequent outcome for VR participants even though self-employment rates are disproportionately higher for people with disabilities than the general population. OBJECTIVE:The study provides a broad review and analysis of state VR self-employment policies to identify barriers that impede equitable access to self-employment services and provide recommendations on how to address these nationally. METHODS:The policy analysis included reviewing 73 VR state and territory agency’s policies across the country, using data from the RSA-911 self-employment data and other sources about the self-employment process through VR agencies. RESULTS:Currently less than 2% of VR participants exit into self-employment nationwide. Three policy areas that could increase outcomes for self-employment are self-employment assessments, market analysis or business planning requirements, and self-employment funding and financing guidelines. CONCLUSION:Policymakers need to explore new opportunities to address unintended barriers and increase equitable access to self-employment such as replacing trait focused self-employment assessments, providing technical assistance from the beginning of the self-employment process, and develop funding policies that better align with those for wage employment services.
