A Systematic Review of Transition Interventions Affecting the Employability of Youths with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Introduction The purpose of the study presented here was to identify and synthesize studies of transition interventions to improve the employability and employment outcomes for youths with visual impairments. Methods An a priori protocol was followed in conducting a systematic review of the literature, including criteria for selecting studies, search strategies, and a synthesis of findings. Results Fifteen studies of interventions to improve the employability of youths with visual impairments were identified. Four studies used two-group designs with control or comparison groups, four used single-subject, multiple-baseline designs, and seven used single-group designs (no control or comparison groups). Of the four two-group designs, two reported statistically significant relationships between the transition intervention and factors related to employment. A meta-synthesis indicated the efficacy of several interventions to improve the career-awareness, job-seeking, independent-living, and social skills of the participants. Discussion Interventions that were found to enhance employability skills and self-constructs were also identified in correlational research as predictors of the successful employment of youths with visual impairments. There were no studies of interventions that directly resulted in employment. Only 3 of the 15 studies used designs with random assignment to groups—the most rigorous in evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Implications for practitioners There is a critical need for information on evidenced-based practices that affect the successful transition of young adults with visual impairments. Practitioners are encouraged to implement rigorous evaluation methods to evaluate transition practices and to publish findings as a basis for public policy and the development of high-quality programs.

Interventions to improve functioning, participation, and quality of life in children with visual impairment: a systematic review

“…Discrepancies were resolved by discussion and/or consultation of a third researcher. Reference lists of retrieved articles and identified reviews 5,9,17,18,29,38,80,105,114,122 were searched by hand to ensure all relevant studies were considered. Additional strategies were used to include relevant "gray literature," that is, abstracts from conference proceedings, which never have been published in scientific journals.…”

Turning a blind eye to employers’ discrimination? Attitudinal barrier perceptions of vision impaired youth from Oslo and Delhi

“…blind and low vision, face labour market precariousness and have significantly poor employment outcomes as compared to working-age people without impairments (McDonnall 2019;Wolffe and Spungin 2002;World Blind Union 2019). Young adults with visual impairments (henceforth YAVI) encounter multiple employment barriers, face a high risk of under-employment and a premature exit from the labour market (Cavenaugh and Giesen 2012;Connors et al 2014;Shaw, Gold, and Wolffe 2007). The employment exclusion of YAVI results from a plethora of barriers which could be broadly construed as 'those affecting labour supply (reflecting the ability and willingness of individuals to be employed) and labour demand (reflecting the willingness of employers to hire)' (Schur, Kruse, and Blanck 2013, 41).…”

“…First, the employment experiences of disabled youth from Norway have previously been compared to developed Global North countries belonging to the Nordic region (Halvorsen and Hvinden 2014), Europe (Halvorsen and Hvinden 2018) and North-America (Vedeler 2014), and no attempt has been made to compare their employment experiences across the Global North South divide. Second, more specifically, the employment experiences of YAVI are well-documented for developed countries (Berge 2007;Cavenaugh and Giesen 2012;Connors et al 2014;Opinion 2018;Shaw, Gold, and Wolffe 2007), and there is a dearth of similar research emerging from developing countries, such as India (Singal 2008). Third, often comparative research involving developing countries from the Global South focuses on producing large-scale quantitative data-sets to measure the prevalence of disability and policy outcomes linked to poverty, education and commuity based rehabilitation among disabled people (Ghai 2015;Miles 2003;Singal 2010).…”

Social Resilience in the Labour Market: Learning from Young Adults with Visual Impairments in Oslo and Delhi

“…YAVI who are able to accumulate and leverage their human capital and obtain paid/ unpaid internships are more likely to secure future employment (Cavenaugh & Giesen, 2012;Cmar, 2019;Connors et al, 2014;Gregorius, 2014 The interviewees undertook this active networking by reaching out to professors from their universities and vision-impaired friends, and they also leveraged the network from family members. YAVI who are able to successfully tap their network stand a better chance of averting the risk of employment exclusion (Goertz et al, 2010;Gregorius, 2014;Shaw et al, 2007).…”

“…On a practical level, disability organizations offers rehabilitation programmes and workshops encompassing a wide variety of services, such as using assistive technology, becoming independent in daily-living tasks, achieving transportation efficacy, job search counselling and career mentorship. All these programs and services cumulatively focus on the resources, capabilities and expertise that YAVI ought to possess in order to better cope with and adapt to employment risks (Cavenaugh & Giesen, 2012;Goertz et al, 2010;Shaw et al, 2007). A prominent disability organization in Oslo offers work and rehabilitation training for YAVI to ease their entry into the labour market (Proba, 2012).…”