Employment Outcomes Research 2015-2020

In 2015, the NRTC was funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) for an RRTC on Employment for Individuals with Blindness or Other Visual Impairments (NIDILRR grant 90RT5040-01-00). We began work on six research projects, training and technical assistance activities, and dissemination in October 2015. The NRTC continues this research under the 2015-2020 grant cycle. This research has resulted in dozens of outputs and products, including peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, an app, an intervention manual, policy and practice guides, and online courses.

Click below to learn more about each project and to view related outputs and products.

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Project 1: Development of an App to Help Parents and Youth Focus on Employment

Creation of an app to guide users through steps they can take to help youth who are B/LV or deaf-blind progress in education, independence, and…

Learn More about Project 1: Development of an App to Help Parents and Youth Focus on Employment

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Project 2: Summer Work Experience Plus

Examination of the impact of a job search skills training program on short-term and long-term outcomes for B/LV youth.    

Learn More about Project 2: Summer Work Experience Plus: Effectiveness of Adding a Guided Job Search Component to a Traditional Summer Work Experience on Future Employment Outcomes for Youth

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Project 3: An Experiment to Evaluate Employer Intervention Approaches

Evaluation of different approaches to a first meeting between a vocational rehabilitation representative and an employer.  

Learn More about Project 3: An Experiment to Evaluate Approaches to a First Meeting Between a VR Professional and an Employer

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Project 4: The Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Approach to VR Counselor Training

Evaluation of a training aimed at helping vocational rehabilitation counselors work more effectively with businesses.  

Learn More about Project 4: The Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Approach to Rehabilitation Counselor Training on Working with Businesses

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Project 5: Job Retention and Advancement

Exploration of factors that influence job retention and advancement for people who are B/LV.  

Learn More about Project 5: Job Retention and Advancement: A Mixed Methods Investigation

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Project 6: Exploration of Secondary Data

Generated new knowledge about youth and adults who are deaf-blind; persons with combined traumatic brain injury and B/LV; and the impacts on…

Learn More about Project 6: Exploration of Secondary Data to Increase our Knowledge about Subpopulations of Individuals who are Blind and Visually Impaired and WIOA Impacts

2010-2015 NIDILRR RRTC GRANT (NIDILRR, GRANT #90RT5011)

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment Outcomes for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired

The overarching theme of the six research projects funded under the RRTC grant by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) was evaluating the most common barriers and facilitators to employment for this population. The projects involve developing and evaluating new and existing employment interventions and practices, with the ultimate goal of improving competitive employment outcomes and other indicators of employment success for individuals who are legally blind. We have been working on the six research projects described below since receiving the grant in October 2010.

Each research project includes training, technical assistance, and dissemination components. Click the links below to learn more about these elements of the 2010-2015 RRTC on Employment Outcomes for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired:

Training & Technical Assistance Dissemination

Project Staff

Principal Investigator: Michele McDonnall, Ph.D. m.mcdonnall@msstate.edu

Research/Training Staff: Adele Crudden, Ph.D.; Kendra Farrow; J. Martin Giesen, Ph.D.; B. J. LeJeune, M.Ed.; Karla Antonelli, Ph.D.; William Reuschel, M.S.

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Project 1: A Customized Transportation Intervention

   

Learn More about A Customized Transportation Intervention

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Project 2: An Employment Mentoring Intervention Project for College Students who are Legally Blind

   

Learn More about An Employment Mentoring Project for College Students who are Blind

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Project 3: Effectiveness of VR Agency-Employer Interaction Practices

   

Learn More about Effectiveness of VR Agency-Employer Interaction Practices

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Project 4: Best Practices in the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program

   

Learn More about Best Practices in the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program

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Project 5: Employment Outcomes of SSDI Beneficiaries

     

Learn More about Employment Outcomes of SSDI Beneficiaries

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Project 6: Accessibility in the Modern Workplace

   

Learn More about Accessibility in the Modern Workplace

Employment Outcomes for Transition-Aged Youth

In 2007, the NRTC received funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (#H133A070001) to establish a Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) to conduct research on transition-age individuals with blindness or low vision. Project activities were completed December 2011. An abstract and list of publications and other products are provided.

More on Employment Outcomes for Transition-Aged Youth

Funded by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, NIDRR Grant #H133A070001

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Persons Aging with Hearing and Vision Loss

The research component of the study has focused on gathering information from several sources: small focus groups and a nationally representative study sample of consumers over the age of 55 with both hearing and vision loss, service providers and vendors of assistive technology used by persons with sensory loss.

More on Persons Aging with Hearing and Vision Loss

Funded by the National Institute of Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR Grant #H133A020701)

Moderators of Depressive Symptoms for Older Adults with Dual Sensory Loss

A much larger proportion of older persons with dual sensory loss experience syndromal or subsyndromal depression compared to the general population.

More on Moderators of Depressive Symptoms

Funded by the National Institute on Aging (McDonnall, PI)