Background: Social enterprises have the potential to address some of the current barriers that people with an intellectual disability experience in transitioning to open employment opportunities. However, it is unknown in detail how social enterprises are able to facilitate this transition, which limits ability to scale-up these organisational…

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…

Employment is one of the biggest contributors to quality of life for people with disabilities--and that means well-planned work experiences should be an integral part of transition preparation for every secondary and postsecondary school aged youth. Make that happen with this practical guide, developed to help educators, transition specialists,…

This paper reports results of a qualitative study of the workplace experiences of eight young adults with developmental disabilities. Four characteristics of supportive workplaces were identified: (1) multiple context relationships; (2) specific social opportunities; (3) a personal and team-building management style; and (4) interdependent job…

To make a smooth transition to a fulfilling, self-determined adult life, young people who use Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC) need effective services that meet their individual needs and make the most of advances in technology. Professionals will provide these critical supports with the help of this book, the first complete guide to…

This paper describes transitional programs developed by Black Hills Special Services Cooperative (BHSSC) to meet the needs of disabled students in rural areas. In cooperation with other public and private agencies, BHSSC provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services and community living programs to help individuals with severe…

Ways that 17 Massachusetts schools and 16 adult agencies promoted natural supports in employment of people with severe disabilities are discussed, along with the barriers they experienced. Results indicate wide use of some practices and confusion about the concept of natural supports and the role of service providers in facilitating involvement.…

This final report briefly describes activities of a project which developed and evaluated specific natural support intervention procedures to increase the social integration of employees with severe disabilities using single-subject, clique analysis, and social validation methodologies. The project resulted in the publication of 6 journal articles…

Data were gathered from 1,119 facilities providing vocational services to 112,996 adults with developmental disabilities, to analyze employment outcomes for persons in transitional training or sheltered, supported, or competitive employment; placements by occupational categories; movement patterns within employment statuses; employment retention;…

This monograph contains eight studies on supported employment and transition conducted by graduate students in rehabilitation counselor training programs. Chapter 1, "Income Allowance Policies of State Medicaid Agencies as Work Incentives or Disincentives for ICR/MR Residents" (James A. Mayer and others), found in a survey of six…

Important factors in assessing performance of handicapped individuals in transitional, supported employment include secondary school vocational performance, assessment and placement, resources for supported employment, and on-the-job performance, and the social ecology of the workplace. (CB)

This brief highlights the benefits of work-based learning for students with disabilities, what constitutes quality work-based learning, and selected evidence-based models of work-based learning. Benefits to students include providing them with the opportunity to identify career interests, skills, and abilities, explore career goals, develop…

Part of a series designed to provide practical resources for transition personnel on a variety of topics critical to the process of preparing individuals with disabilities for adulthood, this guide focuses on transition to employment. Chapter 1, "Employment and Students with Disabilities," discusses the meaning of work in American…