Orientation and employment support programs of people with intellectual disability: models and strategies of intervention

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This paper presents a descriptive study of the guidance and employment support programs to workers with intellectual disability in Spain and Portugal. The research objective was to analyze the intervention models that underpin these programs, their strategies and resources for guidance. Bibliographical sources were revised and documental analysis and semi-structured interviews were applied on a sample of 18 supported employment programs. The results suggest the predominance of a place-train-monitor model, with a combination of in side-off side training strategies. It was found that the most common strategy consists of a job coach monitoring the work tasks of the disabled worker in the workplace. However, some programs have not got sufficiently systematized actions in relevant processes such as assessment of professional profiles and advice to colleagues which develop natural support functions. From these data, we analyze the implicit role models and we present proposals for improvement and innovation.