Supports and Barriers to Employment Among Disabled and Nondisabled Rural Residents

There has been increasing recognition of the complex nature of career across the lifespan and the multiple supports and barriers that an individual can encounter during their unique career development. This understanding has allowed counselors, particularly in rehabilitation settings, to help clients optimize their supports and overcome their multiple barriers to achieve gainful employment. Disability programs and spending are growing at a much faster rate than the population, and there is concern about the impact that disability compensation may have on an individual’s return to work. An important topic for discussion is the supports and barriers to employment unique to rural areas and how these variables differ between disabled and non-disabled residents.