Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The Department for Education (DfE) aims to strengthen the supported internship programme, by making an £18m investment in activity to allow the supported…

Supported employment initiatives have been shown to increase employment rates for autistic people who want to enter the workforce. Despite the success of supported employment initiatives in increasing employment rates, little is known about the first-hand experiences and views of those involved. In the current study, we examined the experiences…

The purpose of this study was to examine the social validity of five different evidence-based and emerging pathways to employment (i.e., supported employment, customized employment, internships, apprenticeships, and postsecondary education) from the perspective of multiple stakeholders. A Delphi method was used to determine whether stakeholders…

People with disabilities are employed at a rate much lower than people without disabilities (Erickson et al., 2022). People with disabilities can be excellent employees who bring a wide range of skills and abilities to their work. Businesses may experience increased productivity and positive publicity as benefits to hiring people with disabilities…

Background: People with an intellectual disability and/or autism experience low employment rates compared to the general population. This study shows what the determinants of success are in getting this group of young people into paid employment. Method: The research is based on data collected on 1008 young people, aged 16-25, participating in the…

Background: Obtaining employment for young people with learning disabilities remains challenging, and people may not be able to experience work that offers them the opportunity for broader and deeper social inclusion. Supported internships (SIs) offer a possible solution to this problem, providing a bespoke, structured study programme designed for…

The goal of the Supported Brewing Initiative is to advocate for OT's role in work and supported employment by providing meaningful, occupation-based, and client-centered programs designed around unique and non-traditional environments. With a growing number of young adults and veterans entering college with TBI and planning to enter the workforce…

Aim(s): This participatory research project gathered the views of young people (YP) with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), enrolled in a supported internship programme (SIP) at a further education (FE) college. Rationale: There is little published researched exploring the experience of FE for YP with special educational needs and…

Purpose: Coworkers' positive attitudes toward working with people with disabilities is vital for the successful and long-term employment of people with disabilities. The purpose of the present study was to examine the organizational factors associated with working with individuals with disabilities. Method: This was accomplished by sampling…

Project SEARCH is a unique program for young adults with intellectual disabilities to transition from high school to work. This program teaches individuals with intellectual disabilities (interns) job skills in an inclusive work environment, such as a hospital. The purpose of the study is to understand the involvement and perceptions of supported…

Progress toward competitive integrated employment (CIE) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) over the last 40 years has been mixed. Despite evidence showing that supported employment interventions can enable adults with IDD to effectively get and keep jobs, national rates of integrated employment remain below a third…

Background: The study reports the findings of an evaluation of Project SEARCH UK. The programme develops internships for young people with intellectual disabilities who are about to leave school or college. The aim of the evaluation was to investigate at what rate Project SEARCH provided employment opportunities to participants. Methods: The…

Presents a guide for employers as to how they can support young care leavers to gain the skills, experience and confidence they need to gain, stay and progress in work. Describes the challenges faced by care leavers and why employers should support them into work. Outlines the positive aspects for businesses such as creating a diverse workforce,…