Learning disability and work inclusion: on the experiences, aspirations and empowerment of sheltered employment workers in Norway

Abstract

This inclusive research inspired study explored the experiences of people with learning disabilities working in a Norwegian sheltered employment company. The study aimed at developing knowledge on the working experiences of people with learning disabilities and the impact of their participation in the study. We employed focus groups, supplemented by informal discussions to generate data for the study. Together with the employees and employers, we established two three-member focus groups. The participants, both males and females, discussed their work experiences and the empowering consequences of participating in the research. The data indicated that the employees had desires to work fully in ordinary companies, assuming socially valued roles. The participants experienced a combination of work in ordinary and sheltered employment companies as less stressful and satisfying. The adopted inclusive research strategy empowered our research partners to reflect on their experiences and made efforts to meet their working life dreams.

Transitions from school to sheltered employment in Norway – Experiences of people with intellectual disabilities

“…Our study shows that regardless of the positive aspects of sheltered employment (Garrels & Sigstad, 2019; Rustad & Kassah, 2020) and competitive employment (Almalky, 2020), it is important that the individual transition rests on informed choices and actions. Our findings emphasise the importance of involving young adults with intellectual disabilities in all aspects of the transition, and to tailor the transition according to their preferences and perspectives rather than aiming for a uniform, “one size fits all” type of transition.…”

“…Therefore, the experiences of people with severe and profound disabilities are not reflected. The study took place in Norway with a national welfare system that is different from other national contexts (see Rustad and Kassah (2020) for a description of the national welfare system).…”

“…Prior studies show that employees working in competitive settings with support and in sheltered settings experience a sense of self‐efficacy, relatedness (Garrels & Sigstad, 2019) and find that sheltered employment can be satisfying (Rustad & Kassah, 2020). Sheltered employment may contribute to inclusion in social networks, provide daily structure (Carter et al, 2018; Olsen, 2009), safety, individualised attention (Carter et al, 2018) and a sense of meaningfulness (Olsen, 2009).…”

“…Sheltered employment may contribute to inclusion in social networks, provide daily structure (Carter et al, 2018; Olsen, 2009), safety, individualised attention (Carter et al, 2018) and a sense of meaningfulness (Olsen, 2009). However, people with intellectual disabilities desire to work in integrated settings (Rustad & Kassah, 2020). The experience of self‐determination in sheltered employment has been described as limited (Garrels & Sigstad, 2019).…”

Lived experience and the social model of disability: conflicted and inter‐dependent ambitions for employment of people with a learning disability and their family carers

“…People with a learning disability continue to have ambitions to be employed (Beyer & Kilsby, 1997; Melling et al., 2011; Rustad & Kassah, 2020) supporting the evidence that having a job is associated with a greater sense of autonomy, improved self‐reported well‐being, reduced depression and anxiety symptoms (Robertson et al., 2018). Social policy initiatives have sought to influence more opportunities for employment (DH, 2001, 2007, 2009a, 2009b; HM Government, 2010).…”