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for young adults with physical, sensory, or cognitive limitations (Vedeler, 2014).
Lack of knowledge, negative attitudes toward those with IDD, scarce educational
opportunities, and other factors create barriers for these individuals. Although school
personnel work hard to ensure that these students master the best possible work
skills, the road to actual employment may be long and sometimes painful.
Many employers indicate a desire to hire people with IDD but may not know how
to overcome negative stereotypes concerning employing such individuals (Burke
et al., 2013). Employers also worry about the costs associated with employing Dr. Jessiica Howell
individuals with IDD, liability risks, and lower production from the employee. Of oversees compliance
course, the severity of the IDD greatly influences an individual’s chance of becoming in the Child Nutrition
Program for a school
employed. The more severe the IDD, the less likely the chance for employment. district in Houston, Texas.
For many people, employment represents a rite of passage that results in She has a passion for
increased stability, a steady income, and personal empowerment. For an individual working with individuals
with IDD, employment can increase his or her quality of life and sense of well-being. with intellectual and
Unfortunately, expectations for employment success for individuals with IDD are developmental disabilities
often lower due the scarcity of employment opportunities (Bonaccio et al., 2019). as well as for children
from economically
Many individuals with IDD desire to become employed and contribute to the disadvantaged
world of work (Thompson, 2016). Being employed allows the person to be active in communities. Her
society. Employment helps people with IDD to obtain social support and relational compassion for the
connections with others even as it rewards their self-determination (Blustein, development of youth and
2008). Job opportunities create social engagement with peers, thereby increasing for adults with disabilities
connectedness. prompted her to become
an advocate for these
Individuals with and without IDD want to contribute to society through individuals. jessiica.
employment. Payment for work is an important factor for an individual with howell@ttu.edu
IDD (Papay & Bambara, 2014). Ellenkamp et al. (2016) described advantages
of employment for individuals with IDD as (a) helping increase social skills, (b)
improving the self-confidence, (c) encouraging new skill development, (d) achieving
financial autonomy, and (e) obtaining a greater sense of control over life.

Employment Statistics
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 protects workers with
disabilities by prohibiting discrimination in hiring, firing, pay, and promotion of
qualified individuals with disabilities (Crosgrove et al., 2015). The ADA should
have substantially increased the employment of persons with IDD. But even today,
many employers still are not hiring such individuals (Bonaccio et al., 2019).
Simply put, the passage of ADA failed to narrow the employment gap (Stapleton
& Burkhauser, 2003) for individuals with IDD. Baldwin and Johnson (2006) found
that employed people with IDD received a lower salary and faced disparities in job
training, security, and other employment benefits (Schur et al., 2013). Baldwin and
Choe (2014) discovered that a 10% pay gap for men and 20% pay gap for women
with IDD were potentially attributable to discrimination due to their disability.

Purpose of the Study
The researchers in this study sought to determine the point of view of employers
regarding what factors encouraged them to hire individuals with IDD and how to
increase such hiring. Unemployment for people with IDD is still a problem in this
country despite substantial efforts to improve the situation. The participants in this
study have been successful in hiring these people and were willing to share some of
their experiences. The researchers examined the following questions:

Educators’ Choice 15