Research Article

RRTC-IDD Journal Article Database:
Journal Article Details

Citation:
Awsumb, J., Schutz, M., Carter, E., Schwartzman, B., Burgess, L., & Lounds Taylor, J. (2022). Pursuing Paid Employment for Youth with Severe Disabilities: Multiple Perspectives on Pressing Challenges. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 0 1-18.
Title:
Pursuing Paid Employment for Youth with Severe Disabilities: Multiple Perspectives on Pressing Challenges
Authors:
Awsumb, J., Schutz, M., Carter, E., Schwartzman, B., Burgess, L., & Lounds Taylor, J.
Year:
2022
Journal/Publication: 
Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities
Publisher:
Sage
DOI:
Full text:
Peer-reviewed?
Yes
NIDILRR-funded? 
Yes

Structured abstract:

Background:
The road to employment begins in high school. However, few youth with severe disabilities currently participate in paid employment before graduation.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to map the breadth of barriers that can hinder youth from accessing this influential transition experience.
Study sample:
We held individual (n = 8) and focus group (n = 16) interviews with 74 transition stakeholders, including parents, educators, adult agency staff, school district leaders, and local employers.
Findings:
Collectively, they identified 47 barriers falling within eight broad categories of challenges: school, student, family, workplace, service system, partnership, transportation, and community. Although there were areas of clear consensus, noticeable differences were evident in the concerns raised by each of these five stakeholder groups.
Conclusions:
We present recommendations for research and practice aimed at connecting more youth with severe disabilities to early work experiences that can change their post-school employment trajectories.
Disabilities served:
Autism / ASD
Developmental disabilities
Interventions:
Transition services
Employment opportunities expansion