Transition from sheltered workplace: Vocational skills are not the main concern

Özbek A. B., Girli A.

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 2023 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/17446295231193190
  • Journal Name: Journal of Intellectual Disabilities
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Keywords: employment of people with disabilities, inclusive work environment, intellectual disability, sheltered workplace, transition
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the transition of employees with intellectual disabilities to inclusive work environments from sheltered workplaces. The study was conducted in a sheltered workplace in Turkey for people with intellectual disabilities. Data was collected from 71 participants in interviews. Interviews were conducted with employees (n = 28), families of employees (n = 24), company human resource managers (n = 8), sheltered workshop foremen (n = 7), and special education teachers (n = 4). The study group asked about the future of the sheltered workplace and participants’ views on transition to inclusive work environments. The answers of the participants were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings showed that many participants had positive views about transition along with concerns about accidents and security problems that may occur in inclusive environments. It was observed that negative attitudes and views were related with lack of knowledge about inclusive work environment conditions.