Affiliations: [a]
Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| [b]
School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| [c]
School of Graduate Studies, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| [d] Inclusion Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
| [e] People First of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| [f]
Department of Social Work, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Rachelle Hole, Co-Director, Canadian Institute for Inclusion and Citizenship, 1147 Research Rd, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Rates of un- and under-employment are high among persons with intellectual disabilities in Canada. More information is needed to better understand how current employment practices are experienced by persons with intellectual disabilities and those who hire and support them. OBJECTIVE:This exploratory and descriptive study sought to learn about employment practices as experienced by self-advocates with intellectual disabilities, employers, and employment specialists; to identify key barriers and facilitators to equitable inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities in attaining and maintaining paid and competitive employment. METHODS:An online survey invited participants from all three groups to share their experiences and descriptive analysis was conducted to offer a summary of patterns across participant experiences. RESULTS:149 participants (77 employment specialists, 59 self-advocates, and 13 employers) from across Canada participated in the survey and shared information about their experiences across recruitment, hiring, integration, and performance management of persons with intellectual disabilities. CONCLUSION:This study offers information about employment practices in Canada that directly impact the experiences of potential or current employees with intellectual disabilities. The findings may be used to inform the development of employment standards, best practices, and/or future research to improve disability-inclusive employment.
Keywords: Intellectual disability, employment, right to work, survey, disability studies, participatory
