Connecting Employers with People Who Have Intellectual Disability

• Published in: Intellectual and developmental disabilities 2011-08, Vol.49 (4), p.261-273
• Main Author: Luecking, Richard G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Americans with Disabilities Act 1990-US; Attitudes toward Disabilities; Developmental disabilities; Disabled Persons; Employer Attitudes; Employers; Employment; Employment agencies; Employment Opportunities; Employment Qualifications; Employment Services; Employment, Supported; Equal Opportunities (Jobs); Hiring; Humans; Intellectual disabilities; Intellectual Disability; Job Applicants; Mental Retardation; People with disabilities; Perception; Policy; Social Environment; Special education; Supported Employment; Vocational rehabilitation; Workforce
• ISSN: 1934-9556; 1934-9491; 1934-9556
• DOI: 10.1352/1934-9556-49.4.261

Longstanding advocacy for employment opportunity, recent legislative and policy developments, and advancements in employment service practice have contributed to an emerging notion of presumptive employability for individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, low levels of employment remain the norm for people with disabilities, especially those with intellectual disability. Further, an examination of employer views of people with intellectual disability suggests that effective connections remain elusive between employers and employment service programs that support job seekers with intellectual disability. In this article employer perspectives are considered and case descriptions of effective connections of people with intellectual disability to employers are provided in order to meet demand-side operational needs. These perspectives have implications for elevating the effectiveness of employment service practice.