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Adults with intellectual disabilities in paid work have voiced a number of concerns regarding their employment: independence at work, the continued need for links with formal support, choices in lifestyle opportunities and lack of career path options. In a central New Zealand region selected agencies were asked to identify adults with intellectual disabilities who had paid work. The agencies then forwarded invitations to adults whom they considered were successfuly employed. Seventeen workers responded and were interviewed on how they obtained and learned their job and the initial and ongoing support they received. If permissions were gained from both parties then important other personsls were also interviewed. As a result of this survey strategies Leading to better opportunities and greater employment rates for adults with intellectual disabilities are offered. This paper reports on a research project completed in a central New Zealand region , funded by Foundation for Research, Science and Technology , and jointly completed by myself and Dr Anne Bray of the Donald Beasley Institute in Dunedin. The research sought the opinions of paid workers with intellectual disabilities, supporters and employers, and looked for strategies for greater employment rates, and for information that would lead to better decision-making by education, training, and support agencies. On a global scale, the social responsibility of business has followed several paths. In some countries, for example, Germany, businesses are required by law to employ a certain number of workers with disabilities. In New Zealand however, this is model is discretionery. Here we have a variety of topics which relate to employing workers with disabilities, including employment rates, training for work, ACC and rehabilitation, natural supports, and supported employment.

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