National snapshot of adults with intellectual disabilities in the labor force

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Employment has been recognized as an important goal for improving the quality of life of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Governments at both the federal and state level have invested billions of dollars to encourage better outcomes for adults with ID as they transition out of high school and into the labor force. OBJECTIVE: Given these important efforts, this study documented the employment situation of working-aged adults with intellectual disabilities across the country. METHODS: Respondents included a nationally representative random sample of 1,017 parents/guardians of adult children (21 years of age or older) with an intellectual disability surveyed by Gallup. These parents/guardians were selected from approximately 341,000 households screened by Gallup. This methodology allowed for the inclusion of a sample of adults with ID who had never been in the labor force or even sought employment. RESULTS:The results indicate a troublingly low employment rate for adults with ID and a puzzlingly low number who are even in the labor force. CONCLUSIONS: The employment outlook for adults with ID will continue to be bleak until new ways are found to meaningfully incorporate this population into the labor force.

A population‐based, cross‐sectional study of the prevalence and correlates of sedentary behaviour of adults with intellectual disabilities

“…For example, researchers have found it useful to conceptualise sedentary behaviour across occupational, transport and household settings (Owen et al 2011). However, this model may need to be modified for adults with ID, who have low rates of paid or supported employment (Siperstein et al 2013), report major barriers to accessing transport (Sherman and Sherman 2013), have low levels of participation in community based activities and spend long periods within their household settings (Verdonschot et al 2009). There is some generic evidence that lifestyle behaviour change programmes can reduce sedentary behaviour and improve health in adults (Martin et al 2015).…”

Correlates of objectively measured sedentary time in adults with intellectual disabilities

“…The results of this study demonstrate no significant associations between environmental correlates (accommodation type and level of deprivation) and percentage time sedentary. This was an unexpected finding as previous research has highlighted that adults with intellectual disabilities experience their environment differently to the general population; for example, facing barriers to accessing transport ( Bodde and Seo, 2009 ), inaccessibility of fitness centers ( Heller et al, 2003 ), and low rates of employment ( Siperstein et al, 2013 ). Given the important role that environmental factors have in understanding and changing sedentary behaviours ( O'Donoghue et al, 2016 ), it is important that future research investigates a wider range of environmental correlates.…”

Occupational Therapy Practice with Adults with Intellectual Disability: What More Can We Do?

“…The unemployment rate for adults with ID is more than twice as high as those without disabilities, with only 44% of adults with ID aged 21 to 64 years participating in the labor force (Siperstein, Parker, & Drascher, 2013). Having a job in high school is a key predictor of work for adults with ID, but only 8% to 10% of young adults with ID are currently employed (Erickson, Lee, & von Schrader, 2017).…”