In this study a secondary data analysis was conducted using the Rehabilitation Services Administration's 911 dataset. The findings provide an update on the role of Vocational Rehabilitation in promoting participation in postsecondary education for individuals with intellectual disabilities, by providing data that focuses on youth with intellectual disabilities in comparison with youth with other disabilities, and by highlighting differences across states nationwide (i.e., postsecondary education status upon exiting the VR system). Overall, this study showed that state VR programs play an important role in assisting youth with intellectual disabilities to participate in postsecondary education, although to a lesser extent than youth with other disabilities. Findings indicated that youth with intellectual disabilities were substantially less likely to participate in postsecondary education while in the VR system compared to youth with other disabilities, their participation varied substantially across states, and participation remained static, nationally, between 2006-2010, despite positive trends in several state VR programs.

This article was published in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation and can be accessed at IOS Press.