Assessing for Social and Economic Inequities in Vocational Rehabilitation Services among Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face disparities in employment. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies in every U.S. state offer services intended to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Yet, institutionalized supports such as VR services may inadvertently perpetuate social inequities as a result of biases in implementation and/or barriers to access due to an individual’s race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. Additionally, factors associated with economic stability (socioeconomic factors) can also perpetuate inequities in interventions and institutional supports. The goal of this dissertation research is to understand the role of social and economic factors within state VR services for individuals with IDD. This dissertation used a cross-sectional secondary analysis of the RSA-911 dataset of applicants for VR services to 1) assess for social inequities in service provision and economic outcomes among VR service users; 2) assess for social and economic inequities between applicants who did and did not receive services; and 3) explore the relationship between factors associated with economic stability factors among applicants for VR services. Results indicated: 1) social inequities exist in both if applicants received VR services and what services they received from their VR agency; 2) interaction terms between severity of disability and demographic characteristics revealed differences in outcomes for demographic identities at different levels of severity of disability; 3) outcomes varied, based on amount of wage earned and level of education; and 4) a complex relationship exists between level of education, wage earned, and receipt of Social Security benefits should be considered in research and interventions that aim to improve economic stability in people with IDD. Considerations for future research and practice are presented for each main finding

Relationship between disability orientation and participation of children with disabilities in aquatic programs

Increased physical activity (PA) in children has been linked to improved quality of life, as well as the establishment of life-long PA habits that lead to improved health outcomes. The literature suggests that children who participate in organized sport programs engage in more PA than children who do not. Notably, only 33% of children with disabilities participate in organized programs for two or more hours each week, compared to 76% of children without disabilities. Numerous barriers limit the participation of children with disabilities in organized sport programs, which can be broken down into personal and environmental factors. Characteristics of an aquatic environment have the potential to minimize some of these barriers. A programs’ leadership is important in creating an inclusive environment and may remove these barriers. Disability orientation, an individual’s attitude towards persons with disabilities, has been discussed in prior research as a factor that shapes and influences behaviors. However, few studies have fully examined the relationship between an individual’s disability orientation and their behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between an aquatic program leadership’s disability orientation and the opportunities offered for children with disabilities, and their participation, in aquatic programs. This study also measured potential variables that may influence the relationship between the aquatic director’s disability orientation and the participation of children with disabilities in aquatic programs. Lastly, the relationship between the aquatic directors’ disability orientation and their intentions to provide opportunities for children with disabilities in their aquatic programs was examined. A survey was completed by 185 aquatic directors from across the United States. The survey consisted of items measuring the disability orientation of the aquatic director, using the Questionnaire on Disability Identity and Opportunity (QDIO), as well as items measuring the accessibility of the facility for individuals with disability, program marketing for opportunities available to children with disabilities, staff competency with children with disabilities, and delegation of financial resources to support opportunities for children with disabilities. Additionally, the aquatic directors’ self-efficacy in providing opportunities for children with disabilities and intentions to provide opportunities for children with disabilities were measured. Logistical and linear regressions were completed to identify the relationships between key variables, and to examine for modification effects. The results found that the aquatic director’s view on the medical model was not directly associated with providing opportunities for children with disabilities (OR = 0.76, p = 0.59) or the proportion of children with disabilities participating in their aquatic programs ( = -0.44, p = 0.15). Additionally, no direct relationship was found between the aquatic director’s view of the social model and providing opportunities for (OR = 0.25, p = 0.64) or the participation of ( = 0.00 p = 0.97) children with disabilities in their aquatic programs. The relationship between disability orientation and the proportion of children with disabilities participating in the aquatic program was not influenced by the four moderating variables. Further, no significant relationship was found between the director’s self-efficacy or intentions and the participation of children with disabilities. However, the results revealed a significant relationship between the aquatic directors’ disability orientation and their intention to provide opportunities for children with disabilities ( = 0.50, p < 0.01). This suggests that aquatic directors with higher scores on the social model had greater intentions to provide opportunities to children with disabilities in their programs. Although a direct link between aquatic directors’ disability orientation and their behaviors are inconclusive, findings reveal a new and important link between disability orientation and intentions. Future studies should examine this link further, as well as evaluate improved measurements of aquatic director behavior. A better understanding of behavior by leadership in physical activity organizations could improve understanding and decrease barriers to participation from children with disabilities

Health and Quality of Life among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Direct Support Professionals during the early United States COVID-19 Pandemic

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and the direct support professionals (DSPs) who support them have faced unique risks to their health and quality of life (QoL) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to understand how COVID-19 has influenced QoL and overall well-being among these populations. We conducted a Rapid Qualitative Inquiry study with a sample of people with IDD and DSPs (n = 18) to gain deeper perspectives about QoL and well-being during the pandemic. Participants described that changes in QoL were typically negative and influenced primarily by reduced socialization and impacts on health and independence; however, participants also described the ways their interactions and mutual support for each other helped to preserve some aspects of QoL. Participants described how racism and publicized acts of racial violence contributed to their COVID-19 experiences, and offered descriptions of resources they benefited from, and those they lacked, during this time. Study findings have the potential to inform the development of policies and best practices that support people with IDD and DSPs during and following similar infectious disease emergencies

Promoting Inclusion of Adults with Disabilities in Local Fitness Programs: A Needs Assessment

Fit-Pals* is a university-based, service-learning program with a mission to prepare adults with disabilities to engage in lifelong physical activity. We conducted a Needs Assessment to evaluate recent programmatic partnerships with community-based fitness organizations. We aimed to (1) evaluate organizational perceptions of Fit-Pals’ partnership efforts, and (2) identify perceived organizational needs to improve inclusion practices. Representatives from each of our seven partner organizations participated in an online-survey, follow-up interviews, and a stakeholder meeting. A thematic analysis of survey and interview responses highlighted areas for programmatic growth related to training in disability awareness and fitness accommodations, and improved communication across all partnership levels. Our stakeholder meeting further identified gaps between advocacy for disability inclusion, and awareness of actionable steps to effectively enact this within organizations. Drawing from the literature we discuss Fit-Pals’ efforts to increase the capacity of our community partners to support members with disabilities. *Pseudony