| Citation: |
Hansen, K. & Keeton, B., & Jones, J. (2023). Understanding the provision of self-employment for people with disabilities in the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program: A policy review..
Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 59
(1),
25-40.
|
| Title: |
Understanding the provision of self-employment for people with disabilities in the State Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program: A policy review. |
| Authors: |
Hansen, K. & Keeton, B., & Jones, J. |
| Year: |
2023 |
|
Journal/Publication:
|
Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation |
| Publisher: |
IOS Press |
| DOI: |
https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-230025
|
| Full text: |
https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-vocational-rehabil...
|
| Peer-reviewed? |
Yes
|
| NIDILRR-funded? |
No
|
| 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. |
|
Purpose:
|
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. |
|
Data collection and analysis:
|
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. |
|
Findings:
|
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. |
|
Conclusions:
|
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. |
