VOCATIONAL-REHABILITATION OUTCOMES OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADULTS WITH SPECIFIC LEARNING-DISABILITIES

This study examined the psychological, educational, and rehabilitation service factors associated with successful vocational outcomes for Af rican Americans with specific learning disabilities who are being serv ed by the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) system. A total of 119 Africa n American clients were evaluated in this study, 62 (52%) of whom met the VR criteria for successful employment closure. Of the 23 variables investigated, only one, college training, was significantly associate d with vocational outcome. Both groups had low-average range measured cognitive ability and borderline range academic skills. Results also r evealed that approximately one-third of the sample had a psychiatric d iagnosis, and that the race of the counselor was not a significant fac tor in performance of the two groups. Most persons whose cases were cl osed as successful were employed in service occupations. Implications and recommendations for current rehabilitation practice were discussed .