Career Development for Adults With Intellectual Disability: Pilot Outcomes From a Community-Based Employment Program

PURPOSE: Employment for adults with intellectual disability (ID) is a major policy initiative, yet outcomes remain poor. Currently, only 18% of adults with ID work in competitive employment. At the same time, we know that people with ID who have an expectation and opportunity for work have better employment outcomes (Carter, Austin, & Trainor, 2012). Additionally, adults who are more self-determined have better employment outcomes (Shogren, Wehmeyer, Palmer, Rifenbark, & Little, 2015).

The aim of this presentation is to present outcomes from a pilot program implementing an occupation-based employment model rooted in self-determination. We combined elements of existing evidence-based practices, including supported employment and the Self-Determined Career Development Model (Wehmeyer et al., 2003). The study was a collaboration between occupational therapists and special educators working together in a community agency. The research question was as follows: To what extent does an employment program implemented within a community agency promote employment outcomes for adults with intellectual disability?

DESIGN: This descriptive study analyzes the employment outcomes for participants in an employment program. A convenience sample of adults who were served by a community support agency were recruited. All participants had an interest in finding competitive employment.

METHOD: Twelve adults with intellectual disability, ranging in age from 23 to 53, participated in the program in the first year. Some had previous employment experience. We tracked employment outcomes that have traditionally been used in employment literature, including employment status, weekly hours worked, salary, and employment supports. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation).

RESULTS: Nine of the 12 job seekers obtained competitive employment, working an average of 3.8 hr/day, 2.3 days/wk. Two job seekers obtained two jobs, which brought the number of jobs up to 11.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that an occupation-based employment program was effective in promoting employment for adults with intellectual disability living in the community. At a time when community agencies are looking for effective methods for promoting employment, occupational therapists can be effective in developing and implementing these services.

IMPACT STATEMENT: Occupational therapists can be effective in promoting employment outcomes for adults with intellectual disability living in the community. Practitioners and researchers can use the results of this pilot program to advocate for occupational therapy involvement in the transition from high school as well as partnerships with community agencies.

References

Benitez, D. T., Lattimore, J., & Wehmeyer, M. (2005). Promoting the involvement of students with emotional and behavioral disorders in career and vocational planning and decision-making: The Self-Determined Career Development Model. Behavioral Disorders, 30, 431–447. https://doi.org/10.1177/019874290503000401

Carter, E. W., Austin, D., & Trainor, A. A. (2012). Predictors of postschool employment outcomes for young adults with severe disabilities. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 23, 50–63. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044207311414680

Shogren, K. A., Wehmeyer, M. L., Palmer, S. B., Rifenbark, G. G., & Little, T. D. (2015). Relationships between self-determination and postschool outcomes for youth with disabilities. Journal of Special Education, 48, 256–267. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022466913489733

Wehmeyer, M. L., Lattimore, J., Jorgenson, J. D., Palmer, S. P., Thompson, E., & Schumaker, K. M. (2003). The Self-Determined Career Development Model: A pilot study. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 19(2), 79–87.