How Young Adults with Disabilities Can Transition to the Workforce

The transition from childhood to adulthood is hard for anyone. For young adults with disabilities, transitioning from school to work can present a new set of challenges. With the right guidance and coaching, young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can successfully move into the workforce or higher education; whichever path they choose. 

Life Skills That Support Employment and Higher Education 

Starting in childhood, parents, guardians, and care providers can help teach children the skills they need to make a successful transition into adulthood.  

One of the first lessons a child can learn is self-determination. Simply put, this is teaching a child to make decisions for themselves. Help guide them to choose what toys they want to play with or which school activities they are interested in. These small decisions help empower children to start making decisions for themselves; which can help guide their path into adulthood. 

Parents can also start by teaching simple chores like putting toys away. This task gives children a sense of responsibility. These tasks also help children build the framework of crucial life skills like organization and task management. 

As children grow into young adulthood, there are more important life skills they’ll need to be taught. The goal is for your loved one to easily navigate daily life. 

Communication is key; it’s how we form social bonds and get along in the workplace. Teaching communication includes written and verbal skills, eye contact, and socially acceptable gestures. 

For a successful transition into adulthood, children also need to be taught problem-solving skills. In both life and work, things do not go according to plan and it’s important that all individuals know how to effectively solve simple problems. 

Teaching hygiene routines helps children develop important life skills that support health, independence, and future success at work and in daily life. All children need to learn how to bathe themselves and brush their teeth daily. Starting a hygiene routine when they are young will help them get ready to present themselves for work and incorporate personal hygiene into their structured daily tasks. 

 As young teens transition into adulthood, they need to be taught proper money management. Starting small with a basic budget is the best way to begin this lesson. Teach them how to use their money wisely and how to save for the future.  

Additionally, it’s important for young adults with disabilities to know how to keep track of their government benefits. Combining this with a budget will help set them up for success and guide them towards a proper path of fiscal responsibility. 

Choosing the Right Path 

Trying to decide what comes after high school can be challenging for anyone. There are so many options, it's hard to make a decision for what comes next. 

Teenagers and young adults must start planning their next step before they finish their last year of school. Students on an IEP (Individualized Education Program) are required to go through transition planning, as assigned by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004).  

To meet transition planning requirements, the process must start before the student turns 16, be individualized, be based on the individual’s personal strengths, preferences, and interests, and include opportunities to develop functional skills for work and community life, according to the Learning Disabilities Association of America. 

When putting together the plan, the IEP team works directly with a student to help them look beyond high school and think about what they want in their future. All the lessons we talked about above—self-determination, communication, and problem-solving skills are crucial for helping a young adult decide what direction they want to take after school. 

Benefits of Employment  

When young adults graduate from high school, there are generally two paths they can take; higher education or joining the workforce. Each path has its own pros and cons. It all depends on the individual and what they want. For this piece, we’re looking at the benefits of employment for individuals with disabilities.  

Joining the workforce can give a sense of meaning or purpose to life. A job offers a stable routine and a way for individuals to use their unique talents and skills. Working on a team and receiving positive feedback helps build confidence and self-esteem. 

The workforce is also a great place for communication and community. Individuals with disabilities can join a functional group and hone the communication skills they learned in school and at home. 

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of working is financial gain. Whether a person lives alone or with family, a stable income helps them live independently and work towards financial security.  

Finding the Right Employment 

Finding a job that offers enjoyment can be a difficult task. Start by asking your loved one what type of job they are interested in. Do they want to sit at a desk, or work in a factory? Do they want to be outdoors? These questions can help guide a person to the industry or type of work they want to do. 

Parents and guardians can encourage their children to research the type of work they’re interested in and talk to someone in that field to learn more about it. By talking to someone in a job they want, young adults can learn the reality of the job and see if it’s something they want to pursue. 

With the right guidance and skills, young adults with disabilities can have a successful transition to the workplace. It just takes the right support along the way.