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. 2023 Jan;36(1):116-121.
doi: 10.1111/jar.13040. Epub 2022 Oct 4.

Predictors of employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in a postsecondary transition program in the United States

Lucy Barnard-Brak  1 , David M Richman  2 , Kagendo Mutua  1 , Amy Williamson  1
Affiliations

Predictors of employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in a postsecondary transition program in the United States

Lucy Barnard-Brak et al. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Previous research has shown that post-secondary collegiate vocational educational programs often have positive effects on employment outcomes for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Aims: Using secondary data of a program in the United States collected over several years, we examined which intervention components of a postsecondary education transition program predicted subsequent employment for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Materials & methods: The sample consisted of 56 individuals that participated in a transition-services collegiate program; Crossing Points, University of Alabama.

Results: Results were able to robustly indicate that acquiring job-specific skills was a much better predictor than global measures of intellectual or adaptive behaviour. Additionally, survival curve analyses as an innovative approach to this population showed that there was a positive relation between the number of job-specific training sessions and eventual community employment.

Discussion: Results are discussed in relation to a historical parallel movement to expand inclusion of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the least restrictive educational setting for primary and secondary public education years.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the current study suggest positive findings with job-skills training both specific and general.

Keywords: community employment; intellectual and developmental disabilities; post-secondary collegiate experiences.

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