About the Project
Kansas Rehabilitation Services, the state vocational rehabilitation agency, is sponsoring this five-year project to demonstrate the effectiveness of literacy instruction for Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) consumers for increasing employment outcomes.
Individuals with disabilities frequently encounter roadblocks to successful and meaningful employment. Research indicates that shortfalls in education, namely literacy and math proficiency, can have serious effects on the employment and earning potential of people with disabilities. Findings of the Longitudinal Study of the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program (Hayward, Schmidt-Davis, 2003) illustrate that compared to other VR consumers who are competitively employed, those with learning disabilities earn a lower than average hourly wage, have fewer than average years of education, and their level of reading and math achievement are also lower.
This project demonstrates the effects of literacy services and instruction on the employment and earnings of VR consumers in comparison with those receiving traditional VR services. The project also demonstrates how VR offices can effectively integrate literacy services into their service delivery system.
Kansas Rehabilitation Services is collaborating with the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning-Division of Adult Studies to work in the local area VR office in Kansas City, Kansas to offer literacy courses using the Wilson Reading System. The VR consumers targeted for this effort are screened to determine (a) their literacy level and (b) their potential for having a learning disability. Half of the clients determined to be appropriate referrals for the literacy services are offered the Wilson Reading System courses and half receive traditional services.
This five-year project allows for critical longitudinal research that is often lacking in funded social science. Assenting participants are assessed by pre and post questionnaires; follow-up survey instruments are sent to them over extended periods of time. Some participants are recruited to participate in more in-depth extended case studies as they progress through the experience of their disabling condition. Data records of VR consumers/literacy project participants across the research period are assessed to augment the survey and interview data. The qualitative narratives that emerge are combined with the quantitative measures in annual formative reviews. Consumer participation in completing surveys and qualitative interviews/observations is strictly voluntary and does not effect any services they receive from VR or this literacy project.
Copyright © 2007 Division of Adult Studies - Center for Research on
Learning
Last Updated: February 07, 2007
