RS2: Research Brief: The Quality of Life in Employees with IDD
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Research Study Two examines how competitive integrated employment (CIE) affects the quality of life of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). While previous research has focused on helping people with IDD obtain jobs, there is very little research showing why employment matters and how it changes people's lives over time.
Why the Study Matters
The study seeks to understand how working in a community job that pays at least minimum wage influences four key areas of quality of life:
- Employment satisfaction
- Physical well-being
- Psychological well-being
- Social and community participation
For years, employment professionals have observed benefits such as increased confidence, independence, social connections, and community involvement. This study aims to find out from employees themselves what benefits they experience. The results may also help families and others who are hesitant about competitive integrated employment better understand its positive impact, using data reported directly by people with disabilities rather than only provider observations.
Program Components
The study includes several key elements:
- Participants are individuals with IDD who have recently started a new competitive integrated job.
- Participants complete six surveys and participate in interviews that explore their health, self-perception, social inclusion, community involvement, job satisfaction, and workplace experiences.
- With participants' permission, employers are interviewed six months after hire to provide their perspective on the employee's growth, workplace inclusion, and performance.
- The research team intentionally includes people with lived experience throughout the project. Individuals with disabilities helped develop interview questions and advised on recruitment methods, ensuring the study reflects participants' perspectives and experiences.
Research Goals
The study aims to:
- Determine how competitive integrated employment affects quality of life for people with IDD.
- Gather first-hand accounts from employees with disabilities rather than relying solely on providers or family members.
- Build evidence supporting competitive integrated employment as the preferred employment outcome.
- Share findings that can inform employment services, policy, and future research.
Study Design
The researchers will use a mixed-methods design, combining:
- Quantitative data: standardized surveys measuring multiple aspects of quality of life.
- Qualitative data: interviews that provide detailed personal experiences and context.
Participants are assessed at four time points:
- Baseline (within the first month of employment)
- Six months after starting work
- Twelve months after starting work
- Two years after starting work
Recruitment occurs through VCU's employment program, Business Connections, where job coaches introduce newly hired employees to the study and interested individuals receive additional information before deciding whether to participate.
The study focuses on a wide variety of jobs—including retail, healthcare, office settings, and federal positions—rather than limiting participants to traditional entry-level roles often associated with people with IDD.
Overall, the study is an opportunity to transform years of anecdotal observations into rigorous evidence demonstrating how meaningful employment can improve the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Learn More
The contents of this brief were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number #90RTEM0013). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this brief do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.