Research Database: Article Details
| Citation: | McDonnall, M. C. & Cmar, J. L. (2019). Services for consumers who are deaf-blind: vocational rehabilitation agency service models utilized and their effectiveness. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 113 (1), 19-31. |
| Title: | Services for consumers who are deaf-blind: vocational rehabilitation agency service models utilized and their effectiveness |
| Authors: | McDonnall, M. C. & Cmar, J. L. |
| Year: | 2019 |
| Journal/Publication: | Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness |
| Publisher: | NRTC Publications |
| Full text: | https://www.blind.msstate.edu/research/nrtc-publications/2016-toPre... | PDF |
| Peer-reviewed? | Yes |
| NIDILRR-funded? | Yes |
Structured abstract:
| Background: | In order to better understand how state vocational rehabilitation agencies deliver services to individuals who are deaf and blind and to discover how effective these services are in producing positive outcomes, the authors analyzed data from interviews with 51 VR agency administrators and the Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report. |
| Data collection and analysis: | They combined information about how VR agencies serve deaf-blind consumers with data from 2,119 consumers served by those agencies to determine competitive employment rates based on service model type. |
| Findings: | The authors identified four VR agency service models including specialist, professional collaboration, specialist plus professional collaboration, and miscellaneous. The authors found “significant differences in competitive employment closure rates were found based on service model type, in both univariate and multivariate analyses.” This study is the first empirical evaluation of the effectiveness of VR services for consumers who are deaf-blind. |
| Conclusions: | It is suggested that VR professionals and agencies look into options for specialized positions for individuals who are deaf-blind and collaborate within and outside of their agency. Agencies should establish a deaf-blind coordinator/specialist position and use a dual-case approach (collaboration between blind and general agency). |
| Disabilities served: |
Blindness Deafness |
| Populations served: |
Persons with multiple disabilities (e.g., deaf-blindness, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse) |
| Interventions: |
Supported employment Vocational assessment Vocational rehabilitation |
| Outcomes: |
Employment acquisition Full-time employment |