A literature review on work transitioning of youth with disabilities into competitive employment

Abstract

BackgroundThe marginalisation of youth with disabilities from employment opportunities is evident from literature in as far as they form part of the larger groups ‘people with disabilities’ and ‘youth’. A focused view of programmes that assist youth with disabilities into employment has not been presented, despite the worldwide crisis of youth unemployment.AimThis review aimed to identify evidence on work transition programmes that are effective in assisting people with disabilities into open labour market (competitive) employment, as well as to highlight gaps in knowledge to inform future research on this topic.MethodsLiterature and policy on programmes that support such transitions were considered, firstly from a global perspective and then with a view from developing countries. The SALSA (Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis) framework was used to source and analyse information from a diverse set of documents. Various online databases were searched for research papers published between 1990 and 2016, and websites were searched for reports pertaining to this topic.ResultsNinety-nine documents were selected to inform the review, out of an identified 259 scientific journal articles, policy documents, acts, organisational reports and book chapters.ConclusionA synthesis of findings was presented in a narrative that reflects the themes of youth with disabilities and employment in the world, work transition endeavours in the developing world and a specific focus on this group in South Africa. The review revealed a gap in knowledge and evidence pertaining to youth with disabilities and employment, highlighting these as research foci, and emphasising the need for youth-focused research that generates knowledge about disability and transitions into the labour force.

Does economic growth reduce childhood stunting? A multicountry analysis of 89 Demographic and Health Surveys in sub-Saharan Africa

“…African age structure is predominantly young, meaning that each year an increasing number of people are enrolling in higher education and entering the job market without enough employment opportunities being created. Poor access to credit, market and technology also hinders the transition to high productivity jobs, and consequently a larger proportion of the youth remains stuck in low-productivity jobs 56–58. Low-income families face competing challenges between meeting basic needs such as food and housing and less immediate needs such as education and healthcare.…”

Human rights and visual impairment

“…Decent work for people with visual impairment may, however, suffer the same fate as that of all people with disabilities, despite many efforts to attend to the imperatives of redress, development and equality. According to Engelbrecht, Shaw and Van Niekerk (2017):…”

School-to-work Transitions for Students with Intellectual Disabilities: Teachers' Perceptions and Experiences of a Recent Workplace-Based Reform in Sweden

“…Research further recognizes social security systems, most evident in the western world, as a constraint to people (youths) with disabilities being employed. Engelbrecht et al (2017) conclude that recipients of disability benefits run the risk of losing benefits if they become employed. Consequently, they may consider alternative sheltered career opportunities (Roulstone, 2002;Olsen, 2009).…”

“…Research on school-to-work transitions for students with intellectual disabilities shows a gap between educational initiatives and workforce outcomes. This has been identified in empirical studies on schools and labor market stakeholders (e.g., employers), studies on students' own conceptions of school-to-work transitions, and studies on attempts to bridge the well-known difficulties in these transition processes (Engelbrecht et al, 2017;Groce, 2004;Lindsay et al, 2015;). Research further identifies that a lack of work and employment preparation represents a main obstacle for entering the labor market for students with disabilities (e.g., Engelbrecht, et al, 2017).…”

“…This has been identified in empirical studies on schools and labor market stakeholders (e.g., employers), studies on students' own conceptions of school-to-work transitions, and studies on attempts to bridge the well-known difficulties in these transition processes (Engelbrecht et al, 2017;Groce, 2004;Lindsay et al, 2015;). Research further identifies that a lack of work and employment preparation represents a main obstacle for entering the labor market for students with disabilities (e.g., Engelbrecht, et al, 2017). According to Roggero et al (2006), such limitations within the educational systemsnamely the inability to prepare and qualify students with disabilitiesprovide employers with justification for discrimination against such groups of students (Båtevik & Myklebust, 2006;Butcher & Wilton, 2008).…”