[NFBMO] FW: [NFB-Legislative-Directors] Recent Research Regarding the Value of Vocational Rehabilitation

[Dennis Miller]

From: NFB-Legislative-Directors <nfb-legislative-directors-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Walls, Kyle via NFB-Legislative-Directors
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2025 1:28 PM
To: State Presidents <StatePresidents at nfb.org>; 'NFB Legislative Directors List' <nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Walls, Kyle <KWalls at nfb.org>; President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>; Lewis, Anil <ALewis at nfb.org>
Subject: [NFB-Legislative-Directors] Recent Research Regarding the Value of Vocational Rehabilitation

 

Dear Affiliate Presidents and Legislative Directors:

 

We continue to search for research and statistics that would bolster our argument regarding the benefits of special education and rehabilitation. As a result of that search, we have found the following study regarding the return on investment for vocational rehabilitation. The study was funded by the US Department of Education and conducted by Associate Professor Dr. Michelle Yin at Northwestern University. The key takeaways from Dr. Yin’s study were published in July of 2024 and are listed below, followed by a link to the article on Northwestern’s website.

 

Key Findings of the Study:

*	Substantial Economic Gains: VR services have led to a 51.4% increase in average quarterly earnings during service periods and an 84.5% increase post-service, contributing significantly to the economic independence of participating youth.
*	Long-term Benefits: The lifelong ROI calculation suggests that every dollar invested in VR services results in a return of $21.5 over a 43-year working lifespan for VR clients, highlighting the enduring value of these interventions.
*	Social and Tax Benefits: For every dollar spent, the state recoups $3.9 in tax revenues over a participant’s working life, demonstrating the program’s efficiency and its role in reducing reliance on social welfare programs.
*	VR services assist over a million individuals with disabilities, potentially generating close to $4 million in tax revenues alone and over $20 million in life-term personal returns.

 

Source: https://sites.northwestern.edu/risei/2024/07/08/media-release-study-reveals-substantial-economic-returns-from-vocational-rehabilitation-services-for-youth-with-disabilities-in-maine/ 

 

 

Kyle Walls

Research and Regulatory Specialist

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

410-659-9314, extension 2223 |  <mailto:kwalls at nfb.org> kwalls at nfb.org

 

 <https://nfb.org/> 

 

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The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

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