VR services for persons with severe/profound mental retardation: Does race matter?

This article examines the relationship between race, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and the rehabilitation outcomes (i.e., closure status and income) of persons with severe/profound mental retardation. Six predictor variables (race, business and vocational training, on-the-job training, transportation, adjustment, and job placement) were used to predict one dichotomous criterion variable-closure status-and one continuous criterion variable-income (i.e., level of weekly earnings). Logistic regression analysis revealed that European Americans were significantly more likely to achieve closure success when compared to African Americans. Findings also indicated that persons with severe/profound mental retardation who were provided with job placement services were significantly more likely to achieve closure success (Status 26). Results are presented for each criterion variable, and the implications of the findings for service and research are discussed.