Helping persons with traumatic brain injury of minority origin: improve career and employment outcomes.
Racial and ethnic minorities have a disproportionately high rate of disability compared to white Americans, with African and Hispanic Americans overrepresented in all disability categories. Subsequently, the demand for quality employment and rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities from minority racial or ethnic groups is increasing. In order to meet the increasing demands of minorities who are severely impaired, vocational rehabilitation professionals and other team members assisting those with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with employment need to become familiar with effective models of service delivery. This article reviews the literature related to return to work following TBI for minorities. A brief review of the supported employment for TBI and supported education literature is also provided. Afterwards, 2 case studies, illustrating the effectiveness of supported employment and educational services, are offered to show how minority individuals with severe TBI can return to work or college postinjury, when services are individualized to meet personal needs.
Wehman
Paul
P
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. pwehman@atlas.vcu.edu
Targett
Pam
P
Yasuda
Satoko
S
McManus
Shannon
S
Briel
Lori
L
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States