Factors Related to Employment of Transition-Age Youth With Intellectual Disability

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between demographic factors and disability type and employment in transition-age individuals with intellectual disabilities who received state vocational rehabilitation services. The study conducted a cross-sectional secondary data analysis of the Rehabilitation Services Administration 911 dataset with an inclusion sample of 39,060 youth. Results indicated that race, ethnicity, gender, education level, and disability type correlated with employment. Specifically, individuals of transition age who were Black, Hispanic, female, had an intellectual disability, and had not completed high school were less likely to be employed than their counterparts who were White, non-Hispanic, male, had a disability other than intellectual disability, and had completed at least high school. These findings were consistent with the previous research. The authors posited that such research going forward would benefit from more studies utilizing primary data collection, mixed-methods designs, more discernment among modifiable and nonmodifiable demographic factors, and using an intersectionality lens to understand the cumulative effect of factors associated with disadvantage or marginalization (i.e., race and ethnicity) on employment in this population.