The value of competitive employment: In-depth accounts of people with intellectual disabilities

'They don't think I can do it': Experiences of self-advocates, employment specialists, and employers on employment of adults with intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

A multi-phase Canadian study was conducted as part of a large-scale community and academic research partnership focused on understanding and improving the employment experiences of people with intellectual disabilities.

METHOD

This multi-method study utilized a sequential approach, using findings from qualitative interviews (n = 28) to inform an online survey (n = 149). Participants were invited to share their experiences with paid employment or with persons with intellectual disabilities.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis of data across interview and survey findings resulted in six themes: (1) assumptions and attitudes, (2) knowledge and awareness, (3) accessibility of processes, (4) use of accommodations, (5) workplace relationships, and (6) supports and resources.

CONCLUSIONS

A holistic and systemic approach has the potential to improve inclusive employment experiences of people with intellectual disabilities. Action is needed mainly at the policy and employer level to reduce barriers and improve on facilitating measures reinforced by the themes shared in this study.

An observational investigation of unemployment, underemployment, and competitive integrated employment of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in 2021-2022

BACKGROUND

Employment is an important component of community living, and a precursor to economic stability and independence. Despite this, research consistently demonstrates people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have low rates of community-based employment. However, little research has been conducted to quantify competitive integrated employment, and which individuals have better employment outcomes as it relates to competitive integrated employment.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the ways in which key service-related and demographic characteristics of individuals with IDD are associated with participation in competitive integrated employment.

METHODS

We used the 2021-2022 National Core Indicators Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities In-Person Survey dataset. We conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses, using chi-square and generalized linear models, to examine the cross-sectional relationship between employment and demographic and service-related characteristics for 4629 individuals with IDD.

RESULTS

Overall, 42% of the sample was unemployed but wanted a job, while 39% were underemployed and just 21% have competitive integrated employment. Several demographic and service-related characteristics were significantly associated with employment. After controlling for demographic and service-related correlates of employment, having an employment-related goal in one's service plan was associated with 4.5 (95% CI: 3.6-5.5) times higher odds of competitive integrated employment relative to unemployment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study underscores the value of person-centered planning for improved employment outcomes. Further research is needed to fully understand potential inequities in employment and system-level factors that are associated with competitive, integrated employment, as well as solutions to improve access to customized individual employment supports for all people with IDD.

Informal Network Members' Perspectives and Experiences on Work for People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Thematic Synthesis

PURPOSE

The level of participation of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in various forms of work, including daytime activities, appears to be suboptimal. Informal networks of people with ID constitute crucial forms of support, as they can significantly influence occupational choices and opportunities. This review aims to synthesize existing research for the purpose of examining how informal network members perceive the meaning of employment or daytime activities for their relatives with ID.

METHODS

Following the PRISMA guideline, a systematic search of scientific literature published between 1990 and July 2022 was conducted. The qualitative results from twenty-seven studies (qualitative and mixed-method) were analyzed using thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

Four overarching themes and several subthemes were identified: (I) Ensuring customized work for my relative; (II) The ongoing need to collaborate and share care responsibilities with professionals; (III) The meaning of work for both my relative and myself; and (IV) Achieving full work participation for my relative is neither straightforward nor self-evident.

CONCLUSIONS

Informal networks place great value upon customized and sustainable work opportunities for their relatives with ID, particularly community-based work. While network members play an important role in creating these opportunities, they encounter obstacles resulting from both collaboration difficulties with professionals and employers and public and structural forms of stigma. Researchers, professionals, policy makers, and employers are encouraged to collaborate with individuals with ID as well as their networks to increase the meaningful work opportunities available to them.

Long-term social restrictions and lack of work activities during the COVID-19 pandemic: impact on the daily lives of people with intellectual disabilities

PURPOSE

Lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic may have had a disproportionate impact on the daily lives of people with intellectual disabilities. Many of them had to deal with limited social contacts for an extended period. This study explores in depth how people with intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands experienced their daily lives, in particular due to lack of access to regular work activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight participants with intellectual disabilities were interviewed. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed in conducting and analysing interviews.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Analysis yielded three overarching themes that are conceptually linked. Participants experienced a prolonged lack of social connections that resulted in experiences of social isolation and feelings of loneliness. This led to different kinds of struggles: either internal struggles involving negative thoughts or depressive feelings, or a perceived threat to their autonomous position in society. Meanwhile participants had to sustain their sense of self-worth in the absence of work activities. The findings emphasise the importance of social opportunities through the access to work activities for people with intellectual disabilities. Interventions are suggested to help reverse the increased social inequalities and enhance rehabilitation via work activities for people with intellectual disabilities.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABLITATIONMore awareness may be raised among authorities, employers and the general public about the significant value people with intellectual disabilities attribute to meaningful social connections, in particular through work activities.Also, more awareness may be raised about the potential adverse effects of the loss of work activities and social connections on the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities.Providing social support to others may help people with intellectual disabilities to construct social valued roles, either in or outside the work situation.Professionals and employers can support people with intellectual disabilities to find opportunities to provide social support to others.It is important to invest in sustainable and innovative post-pandemic community participation initiatives and particularly in accessible post-pandemic employment support, for example by organising paid in-company training placements.It is essential that professionals support people with intellectual disabilities to enhance their sources of resilience and coping strategies, that may have diminished as a result of the pandemic.

Working with adults with intellectual challenges to enhance their employability skills

The employability of the intellectually challenged has received little attention in the past. In order to fill this research gap, the present study was undertaken. The study is centered on the experiences of six intellectually challenged individuals who received employability training at a non-governmental organization. A focus group discussion along with a case study was conducted. The researchers employed the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique to analyze the data from the focus group discussion. Results from both the focus group discussion and the case study revealed that the training program has had a significant impact on the lives of the participants and has aided them in becoming economically empowered and independent.

Barriers and Translational Solutions to Improving Community Living Outcomes among People of Color with Disabilities with Opioid Use Disorder: A Focus Group Perspective

This investigation examined vocational rehabilitation, substance abuse, and mental health service providers' perceptions about barriers and potentially translational solutions to poor community living outcomes for people of color with disabilities (i.e., African Americans, Latinx, Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans, and Pacific islanders) who have opioid use disorder. We conducted one focus group discussion (N = 12) that identified the proliferation of opioids in the community, treatment access, employment, and transportation as community living outcome barriers. The findings point to the need for further research that address poor outcomes among target group members.

Meaningful moments of interaction with people with profound intellectual disabilities: Reflections from direct support staff

BACKGROUND

High-quality, affective relationships are built on meaningful moments of interaction, which are challenging for support staff to establish with people with profound intellectual disabilities. Therefore, we explored what makes a moment of interaction meaningful to support staff and what circumstances facilitate meaningful moments of interaction taking place.

METHOD

Five direct support staff took part in unstructured, in-depth interviews. The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Member checks were also conducted.

RESULTS

Support staff experienced moments of interaction as meaningful because they felt a connection with a person with profound intellectual disabilities and/or they had the feeling of being meaningful for this person. Staff-related and contextual circumstances facilitating meaningful moments of interaction to take place were described.

CONCLUSIONS

Meaningful moments of interaction are highly valued by support staff, who believe these moments are valued by persons with profound intellectual disabilities as well. Implications for daily practice are described.

Employer willingness to hire people with intellectual disability: The influence of employer experience, perception of work, and social responsibility

BACKGROUND: For people with intellectual disability (ID), competitive integrated employment (CIE) offers many important benefits, including opportunities for inclusion as well as enhanced mental health and quality of life. Yet, CIE outcomes for people with ID are low. One systemic issue that has not been completely studied is employer willingness to hire workers with ID. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to understand factors that effect employer willingness to hire people with ID, including employers’ personal experience with ID, corporate social responsibility, and perceptions of work performance. METHOD: This study was conducted in Norway and used a survey design to understand factors that contribute to employer willingness to hire. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-eight employers responded to the survey. Our findings suggest that employers’ perception of work performance, corporate social responsibility, and prior experience hiring employees with ID are key predictors of willingness to hire. CONCLUSIONS: Supporting employers to gain experience with employees with ID in the workplace and understand the benefits of hiring employees with ID is a critical task in the endeavor to promote competitive integrated employment for people with ID.

The value of competitive employment: In-depth accounts of people with intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

Increasing the societal participation of people with intellectual disabilities via competitive employment requires a full understanding of what this means to them. This paper aims to provide an in-depth examination of the lived experiences of people with intellectual disabilities in competitive employment.

METHOD

Interviews were conducted with six participants with mild intellectual disability or borderline functioning and good verbal communication skills. Interviews were analysed according to the guidelines of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Member checks were conducted.

RESULTS

Analysis yielded three main themes: (a) Building on my life experiences, (b) My place at work and (c) Being a valuable member of society, like everyone else.

CONCLUSIONS

Competitive employment could make a substantial contribution to the sense of belonging to society and quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, they must cope with stigma-related obstacles and feelings of being dependent on others in the work environment.