SELF-EMPLOYMENT AS A VOCATIONAL-REHABILITATION EMPLOYMENT OUTCOME IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS

This article presents the results of a study comparing the use of self-employment by rural and urban vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors. It tends to be used more in rural states. Rural counselors reported more placements to self-employment than did urban counselors. Also, the businesses VR counselors helped start are part of the mainstream economy. Results are discussed in terms of the role self-employment might play in developing a rural VR model. Additionally, researchers determined that there is a need for the national VR database to include a consumer's county of residence to enable comparisons between rural and urban consumers.