The Impact of Employment Goals and Settings on People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

To determine the impact of employment goals and appropriate work settings on employment outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, researchers reviewed 12,706 case studies of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who received vocational rehabilitation services in 25 states. These states had all passed Employment first legislation or had administrative directives or executive orders propelling Employment First. They also examined policy and practice procedures of systems that assist and support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in employment. They did this in response to the disproportionately low number of people with disabilities who have an employment goal or no paid employment. Research has shown that adults with even severe disabilities are often able to have successful careers and be self-sufficient. But, many of these people are un- or under-employed and living in poverty. This study explains some of the reasons for this and offers solutions for change.

• 22.2% of cases reviewed included an employment goal.
• 65.6% of cases reviewed did not result in paid employment.
• Individuals with an employment goal were 11 times more likely to be employed in an individual community setting than those who didn’t.
• Research participants expressed a desire to work in the community, similar to the general population.
• Those who could verbally communicate without assistance had significantly higher chances of having an employment goal.
• Every increased level of intellectual or developmental disability reduces the odds of individuals having an employment goal by an average of 41%.
• People with the most significant levels of intellectual and developmental disability had almost a 0% chance of having an employment goal.