Research Database: Article Details
| Citation: | Rigles, B., Ipsen, C., Arnold, N., & Seekins, T. (2012). The use of telecommunication to deliver services to rural and urban vocational rehabilitation clients. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 55 (3), 144-155. |
| Title: | The use of telecommunication to deliver services to rural and urban vocational rehabilitation clients |
| Authors: | Rigles, B., Ipsen, C., Arnold, N., & Seekins, T. |
| Year: | 2012 |
| Journal/Publication: | Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin |
| Publisher: | SAGE |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355211432892 |
| Full text: | https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0034355211432892 |
| Peer-reviewed? | Yes |
| NIDILRR-funded? | Yes |
Structured abstract:
| Background: | With technology exponentially growing and the access to technology increasing, telecommunication is becoming a cost-effective way many people work. With this in mind, telecommunications could be used for people with disabilities to have face-to-face interactions with and service delivery from their vocational rehabilitation professional. There has not been much research on the use of this form of communication in this capacity. So the authors of this article explored online surveys of 1,187 counselors, representing 13 VR agencies across the United States. Looking at barriers and facilitators for the agencies, counselors and clients, the authors looked at the use of telecommunication during the VR process in these cases. Rural clients were found to have less access to forms of telecommunication, such as a computer with internet access than their urban client peers. The authors suggest that even though forms of telecommunication, such as phone and email are used frequently to serve clients, the barriers to other, more effective and versatile forms of telecommunication should be addressed as a way to increase the use of this cost-saving method of communicating with and providing services to their clients. |
| Disabilities served: |
Multiple disabilities |
| Populations served: |
Rural and remote communities Other |
| Interventions: |
Vocational rehabilitation Other |
| Outcomes: |
Employment acquisition Full-time employment Part-time employment |