A National Study of Participation Levels of African Americans in the Profession of Blindness Service (1996)

Priced at: $20

This study investigated the level of participation by African Americans in vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to persons who are visually impaired. Using surveys and interviews with all state VR directors, national Census data, and national RSA data, it was found nationally that African Americans are substantially under-represented in the service provider ranks, yet are over-represented as clients. The perceptions as to causes of this imbalance on the part of state VR directors were very similar to those of blindness VR professionals in Alabama and Mississippi. Surprisingly, the under-representation was greater nationally than in the South and in Alabama and Mississippi. The degree of under-representation also varied by national geographic region. The study was a joint project between the RRTC on Blindness and Low Vision and Alabama A&M University. Recommendations for recruiting practices of state VR agencies were made along with recommendations for a greater emphasis on career awareness and availability of degree programs for minorities in blindness VR.

Participation Levels of African Americans in the Profession of Blindness Services: Views of Service Providers (1995)

Technical Report: $20
Executive Summary: FREE

It has been documented that African Americans are substantially under-represented in the service provider ranks, yet African Americans and other minorities are often over-represented as clients of services. This study employed surveys and interviews with all state VR personnel serving persons with visual impairments in Alabama and Mississippi to investigate why this imbalanced situation exists. The study was conducted jointly by project between the RRTC on Blindness and Low Vision and Alabama A&M University. Findings indicated that the imbalanced representation exists in Alabama and Mississippi and that there are areas of similarity and areas of differences between Black and White professionals in their views of the blindness rehabilitation profession. Recommendations for recruiting practices of state VR agencies were made along with recommendations for a greater emphasis on career awareness and availability of degree programs for minorities in blindness VR.

Providing Services to African Americans who are Blind: Views of Experienced White and African American Rehabilitation Counselors

Priced at: $15

Reports similarities and differences in the views of 26 experienced VR counselors serving African Americans who are blind or visually impaired using structured telephone interviews. White and African American counselors had mostly similar views on their skill level; client-counselor interaction (trust, disclosure); most useful skills, techniques, resources; and referral sources. There were differences by counselor race regarding help-seeking patterns, job and rehabilitation expectations, effects of adverse personal and socioeconomic factors, and ideal client characteristics.

Student Perceptions of Careers in Blindness Rehabilitation Services at Historically African American and Historically White Universities (1997)

Priced at: $15

In a follow-up study in a series examining the substantial under-representation of African Americans as professionals in blindness services, researchers questioned college students about their knowledge, opinions, and interests in blindness services. Included in the study were 622 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically White Colleges and Universities (HWCUs), as well as schools with and without rehabilitation programs. While students expressed an interest in disability-related careers, they were not interested in careers in blindness rehabilitation services. However, among students who received information about blindness rehabilitation services, they were more than 3 times as likely as students without information to be interested in these careers. This study emphasizes the importance of career education and career recruitment for the field.

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