Affiliations: AbleLink Technologies, 528 North Tejon Street, Suite
100, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, USA | Beach Center on Disability, Lawrence, KS 66045,
USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. M.L. Wehmeyer, Associate
Professor, Department of Special Education, Associate Director, Beach Center on
Disability, 1200 Sunnyside Ave., 3136 Haworth Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
Tel.: +1 785 864 0723; Fax: +1 785 864 3458; E-mail: wehmeyer@ku.edu
Abstract: Objectives: To conduct a preliminary study investigating the
application of a self-directed video and audio software program to assist
individuals with intellectual disabilities to express their vocational job
preferences. A working software prototype, called WorkSight, was developed and
field tested. Study design: The effectiveness of the WorkSight approach was
assessed by comparing it to currently used career assessment tools via ratings
by educators and agency professionals. WorkSight was also tested in terms
of its efficacy to match the job preferences that were predicted by the same
educators and agency professionals. A total of 25 adults with intellectual
disabilities participated in this study. Results: Adults with intellectual disabilities were able to use the
computer-based job preference assessment to determine career and job
priorities. Conclusions: The use of technology providing multimedia-based work
information has promise to enable persons with intellectual disabilities to
express preferences and to improve job placement and matching activities.
