Affiliations: School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University,
Kingston, ON, Canada | Departments of Community Health & Epidemiology
& Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada | McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Rosemary Lysaght, School of
Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada.
Tel.: +1 613 533 2134; Fax: +1 613 533 6776; E-mail: lysaght@queensu.ca
Abstract: Objective: While individuals with intellectual disabilities can make
valuable contributions in community workplaces, they typically experience low
rates of paid employment. The goal of this article is to explore the reasons
for the limited involvement of this population in competitive employment,
provide a rationale for including individuals with intellectual disabilities
as employees, and propose policy, structural and attitudinal changes that
would be necessary to include them more meaningfully in the workforce. Methods: The authors conducted a review of the literature relevant to the key
theoretical concepts of disability, employment, organizational management and
inclusion. Results: The analysis reveals a number of theoretical,
philosophical, legal and business arguments for and against the inclusion of
workers with intellectual disabilities as employees, and suggests %a number of
system level changes needed to mitigate challenges to recruiting, hiring and
retaining these workers. Conclusions: Changes to the employment situation
for workers with intellectual disabilities will require major shifts in
government policy, workplace practices and vocational preparation of youth with
intellectual disabilities. Continued research is necessary to identify best practices.
