An exploration of Asian Americans in the state vocational rehabilitation system by disability type.

Background: The limited amount of information available on Asian Americans with different types of disability in vocational rehabilitation (VR) system has been a major obstacle to developing appropriate policies and practices.

Objective: Using the Rehabilitation Service Administration data (RSA-911), this study investigated the associations between demographic characteristics, VR service patterns, and employment outcomes of Asian Americans. Whether the relationships differed by type of disabilities (i.e., sensory/communicative, physical, cognitive, and psychiatric disabilities) among Asian Americans was also examined.

Methods: A series of chi-squared tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and logistic regression were conducted to examine the associations and differences among demographic characteristics, service patterns, and employment outcomes across four major disability groups.

Results: Each disability group showed different service patterns that indicate unique consumer needs, individualized services and supports to be delivered in a culturally sensitive manner. Along with the demographic profiles of Asian Americans, factors significantly associated with competitive employment in each group were identified.

Conclusions: This explorative study's finding implies VR practitioners' need to understand individual needs by disability type as well as characteristics of Asian culture, and need to develop and implement effective strategies and services to assist this population.