Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 52 (2020) 279–289 DOI:10.3233/JVR-201077 IOS Press 279 Employment and earnings among ex-offenders with disabilities: A multivariate analysis of RSA-911 data Glacia Ethridge a,* , Angel Riddick Dowden a , Michael Brooks a , Ngai Kwan b and Debra Harley c a North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, USA b Institution for Community Inclusion-University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA c Department of Early Childhood, University of Kentucky, Special Education & Rehabilitation, Lexington, KY, USA Revised/Accepted September 2019 Abstract. BACKGROUND: Ex-offenders with disabilities encounter barriers with obtaining employment upon post-release. Offender status may affect not only opportunities for employment, but earnings as well for ex-offenders with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to discuss barriers to employment for ex-offenders with disabilities and to identify how racial/ethnically marginalized ex-offenders are disproportionately unemployed and earn less than their White counterparts. METHODS: Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses utilizing archival Rehabilitation Services Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) data from fiscal years 2004–2013 was employed. RESULTS: Findings indicated that African American ex-offenders with disabilities are employed at higher rates than both Hispanic and White ex-offenders but earn less than both of these groups. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for VR service providers, training and policy reform are discussed. Keywords: African American, Hispanic/Latino, disability, rehabilitation, employment, offender 1. Introduction Ex-offenders with disabilities face multiple bar- riers and disadvantages to employment not only because of a disability, but more often because of a criminal record. Graffam (2016) suggests in the con- text of ex-offenders’ multiple disadvantages are more than “multiple”; they are complex and interactive. As ex-offenders with disabilities leave prison, their debilities continue to cause them problems as they re-enter their respective communities (Travis et al., * Address for correspondence: Glacia Ethridge, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, 1601 E. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA. Tel.: +1 336 285 4391; Fax: +1 336 334 7916; E-mail: gethridg@ncat.edu. 2001). Such barriers include, but are not limited to, low educational attainment, a lack of job skills, poor work history, low self-esteem or motivation, racism of employers or co-workers, substance abuse, stigma, negative public attitudes, and economic obstacles that are complicated by physical, cognitive, behavioral and mental health problems that limit their employa- bility. People with disabilities experience high levels of discrimination when applying for and maintain- ing employment (Darakai et al., 2017). Ex-offenders with disabilities are therefore likely to face signif- icant challenges in their efforts to find meaningful and stable work. Unfortunately, ex-offenders re- enter society with limited assistance or access to 1052-2263/20/$35.00 © 2020 – IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved