People's Situations and Perspectives Eight Years After Workshop Conversion

Abstract

Our purpose in this study is to describe the circumstances and views of 16 individuals 8 years after their participation in one agency's conversion from a sheltered workshop to an exclusively community employment service. Individual interviews were conducted to examine participants' present employment circumstances and their perspectives on the agency changes and on their current life situations. Participant reactions varied. Most individuals, although describing the conversion as initially anxiety-provoking, attributed to it many long-term benefits. Some reported disappointing and painful experiences manifested by prolonged service delays, a return to a segregated facility, or their rejection of any community employment. Findings were analyzed with regard to previous research and implications suggested for policy, systems, and practice changes.

Factors Related to Self‐Rated Participation in Adolescents and Adults with Mild Intellectual Disability – A Systematic Literature Review

“…This category also included aspects of being able to express confidence and to be aware of one’s rights (Beart et al. 2004), self awareness (Lemieux 2001), awareness of social stigma (Jahoda & Markova 2004), self image (Murphy et al. 2002; Beart et al.…”

“…Devlieger & Trach (1999) reported on the importance of the support being planned. Murphy et al. (2002) reported positive outcomes of long‐term support after changing from sheltered workshop to an exclusively community employment service.…”

“…2001). It was mainly described in relation to the level of support required and Murphy et al. (2002) reported changes in work conditions as an environmental factor.…”

Family Perspectives on the Appeals of and Alternatives to Sheltered Employment for Individuals with Severe Disabilities

“…Personal perspectives, however, have been much slower to change. Studies examining the views of adults with disabilities (e.g., Dudley & Schatz, 1985;Murphy, Rogan, Handley, Kincaid, & Royce-Davis, 2002), professionals (e.g., Inge et al, 2009), and families (e.g., Dague, 2012;Francis, Gross, Turnbull, & Turnbull, 2014) regarding integrated and sheltered employment have produced a mixed portrait of priorities. For example, Migliore, Mank, Grossi, and Rogan (2007) interviewed or surveyed 619 adults with intellectual disability, family members, and staff-all of whom were connected to local workshops in a mid-Western state-about their preferences for employment settings.…”

Day Habilitation Services for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers

“…By design, supported employment services are more integrated and consumer directed than day habilitation services. In addition to higher wages and increased hours worked, integrated employment has been found to promote better health, higher productivity, expanded social relationships, heightened self-determination, and better emotional well-being compared with day services such as day habilitation (Beyer et al, 2010; Butterworth et al, 2015; Hall & Kramer, 2009; Mank, Cioffi, & Yovanoff, 2003; Murphy, Rogan, Handley, Kincaid, & Royce-Davis, 2002).…”