Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

Year In Review
July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

3,022 citizens with disabilities have been successfully placed into employment based on their choices, interests, needs and skills.

The earnings of these rehabilitated employees in MA in the first year were $ 50.1 million.

Estimated public benefits savings from people rehabilitated in MA were $22.7 million.

Average Hourly Wage: $12.28

Average Work Hours Weekly: 25.9

*The returns to society based on increases in lifetime earnings range from $14 to $18 for each $1 invested in the MRC Vocational Rehabilitation program.

* $5 is returned to the government in the form of increased taxes and reduced public assistance payments for every $1 invested in the MRC Vocational Rehabilitation program.

* Based on 2004 Commonwealth Corporation Study.

Who Are Our Consumers?

Types of Disabling Conditions:
Psychiatric Disabilities 37.7%
Substance Abuse 10.7%
Orthopedic Disabilities 10.8%
Learning Disabilities 18.3%
Mental Retardation 3.1%
Deaf and Hard of Hearing 5.9%
Neurological Disabilities 2.1%
Traumatic Brain Injury 2.1%
Other Disabilities 9.4%

Average Age: 34
Female: 45.6%
Male: 54.4%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 3.0%
Black: 16.2%
Hispanic: 8.8%
Native American: .8%
White: 80%

FACTS AT A GLANCE

  • Consumers actively receiving services: 20,678
  • Consumers enrolled in training/education programs: 14,396
  • Consumers with significant disabilities employed: 100% of 3,022
  • Consumers employed with medical insurance: 96.3%
  • Consumers satisfied with services: 86%

What MRC Consumers Have To Say

  • "MRC gives people like myself the chance of doing better with life when you feel there is nothing you can do."
  • "I am forever grateful to MRC. I was someone who always struggled due to learning disabilities. Today I am a proud RN. My counselor helped me stay focused on my goal, not the road blocks along the way."
  • "MRC gave me the ability to find a great job and an opportunity to excel in it."
  • "It was positive, empowering, and made a profound difference in my life. I am grateful for all MRC has done for me."
  • "MRC helps people with disabilities to advocate for themselves and opens up doors for them."
  • "I felt a good deal of love and respect from the individuals who helped me, especially my counselor, whose concern and commitment to my case helped me believe in myself."

Welcome to the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

MRC promotes equality, empowerment and productive independence of individuals with disabilities. These goals are achieved through enhancing and encouraging personal choice and risk-taking for independence and employment.

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission provides comprehensive services to people with disabilities that maximize their quality of life and economic self-sufficiency in the community.

Multiple programs in the MRC work together to help individuals with disabilities. These programs are:
• The Community Living Program;
• The Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program and;
• The Disability Determination Services Program.

Charles Carr, Commissioner

This information is provided by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission.