Sheltered employment, sheltered lives: Family perspectives of conversion to community-based employment

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Dague, Bryan

Affiliations: Center on Disability and Community Inclusion, University of Vermont, 208 Colchester Ave. Mann Hall, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. Tel.: +1 802 656 1345; Fax: +1 802 656 1357; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This article examines selected aspects of one agency's conversion from a sheltered workshop facility to one providing community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Established in 1967 by parents as an alternative to institutionalization, this agency had remained entrenched in the sheltered workshop model for 35 years. A qualitative case study research design including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and archival review was used to explore the families' perspectives and how they navigated the conversion process. Participants included a subgroup with a long history of sheltered work and a subgroup with no history of sheltered work. Conflicting issues emerged as families had different histories, culture, values, philosophies, and expectations of their children and their inclusion in community. While the initial transition was difficult, most families and participants were satisfied with the conversion process as long as they could maintain previous social networks and find acceptable employment in the community.

Keywords: Sheltered workshop conversion, community employment, vocational rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2012-0595

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 1-11, 2012