Racial and Ethnic Members of Under-Represented Groups with Hearing Loss and VR Services: Explaining the Disparity in Closure Success Rates

The purpose of this study was to explain, from a VR service perspective, reported differences in proportions of successful closures (i.e., status 26) based on race/ethnicity (Caucasians, African-American, American-Indian, Asian-American) and Hispanic origin (Latinos, non-Latinos) for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. A series of cross tabulations and chi square analyses were utilized to investigate potential relationships between variables. Caucasians were found to achieve successful closure at a significantly higher proportion than did members of the race/ethnicity variable; non-Latinos were found to achieve successful closure at a significantly higher proportion than Latinos; a significantly lower proportion of those services found to be significantly associated with closure success (assessment and restoration) were provided to members of the race/ethnicity variable; a significantly lower proportion of those services (assessment, counseling and guidance, restoration, and job placement) found to be significantly associated with closure success were provided to Latinos. Implications of findings for service and research are discussed.