Affiliations: Indiana University, Indiana Institute on Disability
and Community, IN, USA | Indiana University School of Education, IN, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. A. Migliore, c/o ICI, UMass in
Boston, 20 Park Plaza, 13th floor, Boston, MA 02116, USA. Tel.: +1 617 287
4306; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The literature shows that many adults with disabilities and their
families prefer integrated employment. Federal and state policies promote
participation of individuals with disabilities in the general labor market, yet
the majority of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) attend
facility-based programs. The purpose of this paper is to determine what factors
influence adults with intellectual disabilities and their families in choosing
between sheltered workshops and integrated employment. To this end, adults with
ID (210), families (185), and staff members in sheltered workshops (224) were
surveyed. Findings showed that, when deciding about day services, some adults
with ID and their families had concerns about safety, transportation, long-term
placement, work hours, disability benefits, social environment, and work skills
issues. Long-term placement, safety, and social environment emerged as the most
important concerns. Additionally, professionals in disability services appeared
to play a relatively minimal role in encouraging adults with ID and their
families to pursue integrated employment and in some cases, professionals have
even encouraged adults with ID and their families to choose sheltered
workshops. Recommendations are provided for advancing the transition of adults
with ID from sheltered workshops to integrated employment.
