This study explores the perceptions of academic and labor market adaptation among graduates with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in comparison to neurotypical counterparts. Contrary to the expected significant differences attributed to the unique challenges associated with ASD, the findings did not indicate major disparities in…

Background: Research indicates that transition-age youth with disabilities face several obstacles with regard to finding employment. However, research on the extent to which barriers and facilitators differ across disability types and contexts is lacking. Objective: The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to understand employment-related…

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…

District schools that receive funding through the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) too often are unable to effectively identify and cultivate the talents and skills, gifts and calling, of students with disabilities, placing them at serious risk of segregation from the general population and relegating them to a life in…

There is a growing urgency to equip transition-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities for competitive, integrated employment. Prior research demonstrates the positive effects of job coaching, yet no known training exists for educators to learn how to provide appropriate employment-related supports to promote student…

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…

Background: Examining the data collection practices implemented by postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual and developmental disability represents the first step in documenting student progress, making programmatic data-based decisions, and evaluating the overall program effectiveness in preparing students for competitive…

Background: This study investigated perceived quality of life (QoL) of community-dwelling middle-aged adults (30-50 years) with an intellectual disability and/or developmental disability living in rural or urban areas in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. The specific aim of the current paper was to provide a descriptive evidence base of…

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience barriers to competitive integrated employment during their transition to adulthood. To better understand potential reasons for these barriers, we interviewed 10 young adults with ASD, ages 18-26, and their parents or guardians. We audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed…

Policymakers, researchers, and state vocational rehabilitation administrators share an interest in the long-term outcomes of individuals participating in the public state vocational rehabilitation program. Yet, there is limited research in the area of job retention or the service delivery practices used to support individuals with disabilities to…

To explore strategies to build employer capacity to support people with DD in meaningful employment from perspective of employment support workers. A grounded theory study was conducted with 34 employment support individuals. A theoretical sampling approach was used to identify and recruit participants from multiple sites in Ontario and Alberta.…

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…

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises the right to independent living. Given the lack of studies carried out in Spain, the aim of this research is to explore the barriers and supports that people with intellectual disability (ID) themselves believe affect their exercising of this right. To this end, an in-depth…

This study examined the percentage of 21,257 supported employees served by 74 state-federal vocational rehabilitation agencies in 2013 who would have earned more wages in sheltered workshops than in the community. It found that the overwhelming majority of supported employees earned more in their communities at all wage comparison points; however,…