Women with disabilities and sex equity in rehabilitation.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of sex equity in the state-federal rehabilitation program. The general hypothesis was that there would be no gender differences in program accessibility, service delivery, and outcomes. A national stratified r and om sample of 20,354 clients was systematically selected from a population of 914,549 clients whose cases were closed in 1980. The sample was comprised of 8,879 women and 11,475 men; 4,241 blacks and 16,113 whites. The sample reflected a proportionate client representation in four geographical areas: the northeast, the south, the northcentral, and the west. Five major disability groups were represented: sensory impairments, orthopedic impairments, mental illness, mental retardation, and other impairments. Data were analyzed using chi square, analysis of variance, multiple classification analysis, and multivariate nominal scale analysis. Results indicated that women were accepted for rehabilitation services more often than men in the Nation and the West, but they were numerically underrepresented as applicants and clients based on disability prevalence. For service delivery, depending upon geographic location, significant gender differences were found for diagnosis and evaluation, restoration, other academic training, business school, vocational school, on-the-job training, and services to family members. The only significant difference for time spent in the rehabilitation program was found in the West where women spent more time in training than men. There was no significant gender difference for rehabilitation agency external expenditures. In regard to outcomes, more women than men were successfully rehabilitated, except in the Northcentral area. However, the proportion of men closed in competitive employment was significantly higher than for women; women were under-represented in competitive employment and overrepresented in homemaking. Generally, both women and men were employed in stereotypical occupations. Men had mean weekly earnings that exceeded those for women across and within most occupational categories regardless of geographical area. Research was recommended to determine if a relationship exists between the numerical under-representation of women and the quality of employment outcomes. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.