Background

Women of parenting age from typically marginalized socioeconomic, ethnic, and racial groups are underrepresented in rehabilitation research. Additionally, the occupation of parenting after disability has largely been unexplored. The literature indicates that women with disabilities and low socioeconomic status have poor outcomes related to employment and independent living.

Method

The current study was a secondary data analysis of 13,993 women receiving TANF from the RSA 911 data from years 2015 and 2016. Frequencies, percentages, means, and a chi-square were calculated for demographic variables, primary impairment categories, source of primary impairment, and employment outcomes.

Results

Primary impairment was categorized into three classes: sensory/communicative (4.7%), physical (21.2%), and mental (74.1%). Forty percent of participants cited mood and anxiety disorders as the primary source of impairment. Results indicated mental impairment as the primary impairment category regardless of race or ethnicity. The majority of women (90%) obtained employment without supports upon case closure.

Conclusion

Vocational rehabilitation counselors need to be mindful of the multiple barriers to employment facing women of parenting age regardless of race or ethnicity. Additional support services may be required to facilitate the ability to maintain employment status while handling the multiple roles of caregiving and household management especially for women of lower socioeconomic status.