Evanston, IL – April 8, 2025 – A new policy brief by Dr. Michelle Yin and Dr. Diego Guerrero makes a compelling economic case for expanding vocational rehabilitation (VR) services. The Economic Imperative of Vocational Rehabilitation outlines how VR programs not only improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities but also generate substantial financial returns for both participants and taxpayers—demonstrating that investing in VR is both socially responsible and fiscally smart.
Key Findings:
- Underutilized potential: With only 24% of working-age people with disabilities in the labor force compared to 68% of their non-disabled counterparts, VR programs can help close labor shortages in high-demand sectors like healthcare, tech, and manufacturing.
- Strong individual ROI: VR participants see up to $2.55 in personal returns for every dollar invested within 3.5 years, driven by increased earnings and reduced reliance on public benefits.
- High social ROI: Every dollar invested in VR yields $1.58 in taxpayer savings and economic benefits through increased tax contributions.
Implications for Policy and Practice:
To maximize returns, states must expand funding and access to VR, strengthen employer partnerships, prioritize work-based learning, and align services with high-growth industries through real-time labor market data.
Call to Action:
Investing in VR is not just good policy—it’s an economic necessity. Policymakers and business leaders should scale these high-impact programs to build a stronger American workforce.
About the Study:
This brief, authored by Dr. Michelle Yin and Dr. Diego Guerrero, draws from national research and state-level ROI data to demonstrate VR’s role in strengthening the labor market.
Read the full policy brief here.
Media inquiries: Dr. Michelle Yin | michelle.yin@northwestern.edu