Too Disabled to Work

Abstract

This study examined the rate at which applicants to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) were denied services because their disabilities were “too severe.” It found that, from 2002 to 2012, 1.7% of all VR applicants throughout the United States were denied services because of the nature of their impairments. In addition, over this period, the number of VR applicants who were denied gradually declined. However, individuals who had cognitive impairments made up a larger proportion of the denied group over time while individuals who had physical disabilities made up a smaller proportion. Finally, although rates varied widely among states, most states (i.e., 34) were decreasing the use of “too disabled” as a means of denying services.