Vocational rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring psychiatric disorders

Competitive, integrated employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) is a national priority. However, individuals with ID and co-occurring psychiatric disorders are given limited attention in the vocational rehabilitation (VR) literature. The current study tested a conceptual model of VR services and client demographic characteristics in relation to competitive employment outcomes using structural equation modeling. A sample was drawn from the Rehabilitation Services Administration 911 dataset (n=3,719; closed cases for Federal Fiscal Year [FY] 2012) for clients with a primary ID and co-occurring secondary psychiatric disorder who received VR services based on their Individualized Plan for Employment. The final model shows job- A nd personal-related VR services to improve competitive employment outcomes. Differences were found based on race/ethnicity, age, and whether Supplemental Security Income and/or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits were received. Implications for VR counseling and research are discussed.