1

Professional Preparation and Participation of Culturally Diverse Practitioners in

Rehabilitation

Dr. Madan M. Kundu, Project Director

Dr. Alo Dutta, Principal Investigator

Rehabilitation Research Institute for

Underrepresented populations (RRIUP)

Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies

Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA

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Learning Objectives

The participants will: comprehend the changing demography and

prevalence of disabilities in the U.S. learn about the employment and unemployment

rates of persons with disabilities from diverse background.

understand the composition of practitioners in state-federal VR, their academic preparation, and its probable effects on the quality of employment outcome for persons with disabilities.

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RESIDENT POPULATION OF THE U.S.: 2000

Caucasians AfricanAmericans

AsianAmericans/

PacificIslanders

AmericanIndians/Eskimos

226,861,000 35,470,000 11,279,000 2,448,000

82.2% 12.8% 4.1% 0.9%

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1 in 5 community dwelling adults in the U.S. report some type of disability

Persons with disabilities are more likely to have:

Self-reported fair to poor health

Serious psychological distress

More co-morbid health conditions

Lower income/Fewer resources

PREVALENCE OF DISABILITIES IN THE U.S.

5

0

10

20

30

40

50Age-adjusted percent

Total

Black

Hispanic

Asian

American Indian

White

Prevalence of Disabilities Among Adultsin the U.S.: 2005

I= 95% confidence interval. NOTE: Data are for civilian non-institutionalized adults 18 and over, and are age adjusted to the 2000 standard population. Age-specific estimates are not age-adjusted. American Indians includes Alaskan Native. Asian includes Pacific Islander. The black and white categories exclude persons of Hispanic origin. Persons of Hispanic origin may be any race. Respondents were asked to select one or more races. Data for the single race categories are for persons who reported only one racial group. SOURCE: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC, NCHS.

18-44 45-64 65-74 75+FemaleMale

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Employment

In 2006: Total employment (146.1 million)

The employment-population ratio=63% The labor force participation rate=66.1%

Caucasians (66.5%) African Americans (64.4%) Asians (67.1%) Hispanics (68.7%)

Women held: 56.3% of all professional and related jobs 42.5% of management-related, business and finance

positions

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2006)

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Employment

In 2006: 1.4 million were marginally attached to the labor

force They wanted and were available to work and had

looked for a job sometime during the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because they

had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.

Among the marginally attached, 367,000 discouraged workers Discouraged workers were not currently looking for work

specifically because they believed no jobs were available for them.

The remaining 1.0 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in July for reasons such as school attendance and family responsibilities

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2006)

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Unemployment

In 2006: 7.1 million unemployed in the U.S. Unemployment rate – 4.7%

Adult men (4.2%) and adult women (4.1%) Teenagers (15.2%) Caucasian men (4.2%) African Americans (8%) Hispanic Americans (5.9%) Asian Americans (3%)

1.3 million unemployed 27 weeks+ (18.4% percent of total unemployment – up since 2005)

50.9% of the total unemployed population was comprised on those unemployed due to job loss.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2006)

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Unemployment

In 2006: Unemployment rate of minorities

reduced to 5.4% from almost 9.4% in 2005

Number of minorities in professional and managerial positions has steadily increased

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2006)

10

Black

Percent

60

Obj. 6-8

Race/ethnicity

0White Male Female

1997

Total

200590

2010 Parity Target: 80

Gender

Hispanic

I= 95% confidence interval. NOTE: Data are for civilian non-institutionalized persons aged 18–64 years with disabilities who are employed. The black and white categories exclude persons of Hispanic origin. Persons of Hispanic origin may be any race. Prior to 1999, respondents were asked to select one race category; selection of more than one race was not an option. For 1999 and later years, respondents were asked to select one or more races. Data for the single race categories are for persons who reported only one racial group. SOURCE: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC, NCHS.

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Employment Parity Among Adults with Disabilities

Increase desired

11

12

13

14

Employment: The employment rate of working age people with disabilities decreased from 37.9% in 2003 to 37.5% in 2004.- 18 million people with disabilities are currently in the U.S. work force.

Full-Time/Full-Year Employment: The percentage of working age people with disabilities working full-time/ full-year decreased* from 23% in 2003 to 22.4% in 2004.

Annual Labor Earnings: The median annual labor earnings of working age people with disabilities working full-time/full-year was unchanged from $30000 in 2003 to $30000 in 2004, in the US.

Household Annual Income: The median household annual income of working age people with disabilities increased from $34200 in 2003 to $34300 in 2004.

Poverty: The poverty rate of working age people with disabilities increased* from 23.3% in 2003 to 24.1% in 2004.

Source: Cornell RRTC, 2005

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Diverse Populations in Labor Force

Work evenings, nights, and weekends

Part-time schedule

Higher unemployment rate

Low paid, dead end jobs

Un- or under-insured

Source: Hamermesh (1996)

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Average Weekly Hours: Workers With vs. Workers Without Disabilities (1981-1999)

Disability Without Disability

1981: 35 38 1983: 32 37.5 1985: 35.5 38.2 1987: 35 38.5 1989: 34.2 38.5 1991: 34.3 38.7 1993: 33.9 38.9 1995: 33.7 38.9 1997: 32.9 39 1999: 32.6 39

Source: U.S. Bureau of Census (2000)

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Economic Well-Being of Working Age Population with Disabilities

Change (1989-2000) in mean household income: People without disabilities:

Men: +9.4% Women: +12.6% Employment rate in pro-cyclical

People with disabilities: Men: -2.9% Women: +5.6% Employment rate fell during recession and recovery Mean income from SSI and SSDI

Men: +33.8% Women: +13.8%

Source: Stapleton and Burhauser (2003)

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Possible Reasons for Low Participation

More women than men with disabilities Jobs may have changes in ways that make it more

difficult for this population to compete Decline in job security → job change+reduced

attachment to one employer Rising health care cost → employers less willing →

reduced attractiveness for this population Increase in the number of working age population with

significant disabilities Able to work at all vs. total population with

disabilities

Source: Stapleton and Burkhauser (2003)

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Many jobs are destroyed, but many jobs also are created than is apparent from the changes in total

employment.

Since August 2003, more than 8.3 million jobs have been created.

Source: Klien, Schuh and Triest (2003); Bureau of Labor Statistics (2006)

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Since as many as 25% - 40% of the workforce lack the basic skills to understand written or verbal communications, it is little

wonderthey have problems adapting to

changes in the workplace.

Source: Hollenbeck (1993)

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Status 26 by Ethnicity (RSA 911)

Ethnicity Year 2000 Year 2001

Caucasian Am. 78.2% 77.6%

African Am. 19.6% 20.2%

American Indian 0.9% 0.9%

Asian/Pacific Is. 1.3% 1.3%

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Status 30 by Ethnicity (RSA 911)

Ethnicity Year 2000 Year 2001

Caucasian Am. 73.6% 72.4%

African Am. 23.6% 24.5%

American Indian 1.3% 1.3%

Asian/Pacific Is. 1.5% 1.8%

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Status 28 by Ethnicity (RSA 911)

Ethnicity Year 2000 Year 2001

Caucasian Am. 75.5% 73.6%

African Am. 21.6% 23.3%

American Indian 1.5% 1.5%

Asian/Pacific Is. 1.4% 1.4%

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VR SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM

79 state agencies (general and blind) A 2003 CSAVR Survey of 32 agencies

50% said CRC eligibility a priority 56% said extension of D-4 deadline necessary Planned funds for VR counselor training: $0 - $236,000

67 American Indian VR Programs A 2003 CANAR Survey of 32 programs

HS = 30%; AA = 21% Bachelor's = 26%; Master’s = 20% 7.2% has CRC The nearest school is on average 58 miles away 74% has staff development program for employees

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STATE-FEDERAL VR AGENCIES

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Ethnicity by Position: State Office Staff1997

46

379

416

7

34 33

315

3 10 151

Director Administrator Supervisor0

100

200

300

400

CA

AA

HA

API

OTHER

27

Ethnicity by Position: State Office Staff2002

29

156

291

1

29 211

17

51

1 5 61 2 14 3

Director Administrator Supervisor0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350CA AA HA Asian P. Is NA

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Educational Attainment of State Offices Staff1997

Specialization N Percentage

Rehabilitation 186 31

Human Services 191 33

Other 213 36

Total 590 100

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Educational Attainment of State Offices Staff2002

Rehabilitation31.1%

Allied Health32.3%

Other36.6%

80

83

94

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ETHNICITY BY POSITION: District Offices Staff1997

28924 13 6

685

113 33 14 7 3

4121

716

26286 27 12

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

Administrators Supervisors RehbilitationCounselors

CA AA HA API NA Other

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ETHNICITY BY POSITION: District Offices Staff2002

176

567

3556

30121

733

39 97

587

8 21146

1 1 63 8 343 5 35

Administrator Supervisor Rehabilitation Counselor1

501

1001

1501

2001

2501

3001

3501

CA

AA

HA

Asian

P. Is

NA

Other

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Educational Attainment of District Office Staff1997

Field of Specialization Number %

Rehabilitation 2,500 39

Human Services 2,757 43

Other 1,154 18

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Educational Attainment of District Offices Staff2002

Rehabilitation36.5%

Allied Health41.1% Other

22.4%

1379

1553845

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ETHNICITY BY POSITION: Training Facilities Staff1997

241

348

402

1947

104

1 56 4 3 1

Admn/Supr Coun/Job Placement Sp. Training Pers.0

100

200

300

400

CA

AA

HA

API

NA

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ETHNICITY BY POSITION: Training Facilities Staff2002

205

387

134

37

109

1526

40

106

2 3 10 1 22 3 01 0 1

Administrator Job Pl. sp. Training Persnl.0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400 CA

AA

HA

Asian

P. Is

NA

Other

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Educational Attainment: Training Facilities Staff1997

Specialization N Percentage

Rehabilitation 243 27

Human Services 384 43

Other 266 30

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Educational Attainment: Training Facilities Staff2002

RehabilitationRehabilitation136 25.0%136 25.0%Allied HealthAllied Health

179 32.8%179 32.8%

OtherOther230 42.2%230 42.2%

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Salary of Personnel: 1997

About 43% of state-federal personnel earn below median

State Office Staff (37% earn below median)Directors-36% earn below $60,000Administrators-48% earn below $50,000Supervisors-28% earn below $35,000

District Offices Staff (45% earn below median)Administrators-48% earn below $45,000Supervisors-42% earn below $40,000Rehab. Couns.-46% earn below $30,000

Training Facilities Staff (33% earn below median)Supervisors-40% earn below $35,000Job Pl. Sp.-28% earn below $25,000Training Personnel-33% earn below $25,000

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Salary of Personnel: 2002

About 33% of state-federal personnel earn below median

State Office Staff (42% earn below median)Director-34% earn below $80,000Administrators-46% earn below $55,000Supervisors-40% earn below $55,000

District Offices Staff (48%earn below median)Administrators-43% earn below $55,000Supervisors-47% earn below $50,000Rehab. Coun.-38% earn below $35,000

Training Facilities Staff (48% earn below median)Supervisors-47% earn below $50,000Job Pl. Sp.-49% earn below $45,000Training Pers.-42% earn below $30,000

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GENDER BY DISABILITY STATUS - TOTAL1997

3281

3805

805663

Male Female0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

Without Disability

With Disability

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GENDER BY DISABILITY STATUS – TOTAL2002

2475

4152

624 611

Male Female0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500Without Disability

With Disability

42

10

0.5 0.1

2.6

4

CRC CVE NCC LPCOTHER0

2

4

6

8

10

12 Cert/LicenTotal

Number

CRC 867

CVE 45

NCC 9

LPC 220

OTHER 347

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURECERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE

Total State-Federal System - 1997

Percentage of Total Staff

43

9.97

0.15 0.06

1.72

5.48

CRC CVE NCC LPC OtherPercentage of Total Staff

0

2

4

6

8

10

12CRC = 783

CVE = 12

NCC = 5

LPC = 135

Other = 430

CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURECERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE

Total State-Federal System - 2002

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RECOMMENDATIONS Pre- and in-service training to inculcate:

clinical and direct services provision skills, administrative skills, and organizational skills

knowledge in non-disability related areas such as human resource development

VR minimize/discontinue evaluation of counselors on the basis of Status 26 closures Evaluation based on the overall quality of their

performance: Weighted Case Closures Offering of a productive career path with

commensurate remuneration Private agencies & VA pay at least $5,000-$15,000

more than state VR agencies

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RECOMMENDATIONS (contd.)

State agencies need to increase salary, reduce caseload, and improve working conditions for rehabilitation counselors.

State agencies/CRPs offer paid internships

Establish national On-line JOB BANK and TALENT BANK

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RECOMMENDATIONS (Cont’d)

RSA enhance funding of Long-Term Training programs in 2-year colleges that are most accessed by people with disabilities and minorities.

Utilize Rehabilitation Capacity Building initiatives to develop new and support existing rehabilitation counselor training programs in HBCUs, HSIs, NASIs, and APISIs.

Rehabilitation Counselor Education Programs infuse the concept of multiculturalism across curriculum.

Replication of the study in Section 121 American Indian VR Programs.

Longitudinal research on the effects of counselor-client racial identity on VR outcome.

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Collective Vision for the Future A number of functions performed by rehabilitation counselors

may soon be consolidated under one broad-based organizational consultant.

Rehabilitation counselors should be prepared to horizontally expand their role in the world of work.

As the arena of disability management evolves, these competencies will enable professionals to secure and maintain involvement as the primary facilitators of services for people with disabilities.

CORE and CRCC should take an active role in re-defining and expanding the professional/educational standards in rehabilitation counseling.

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“Reasonable People Adapt to the world around them; unreasonable people make the world

adapt to them. Therefore, progress is made by unreasonable people.”

Samuel Butler

Educator