Why do adults with intellectual disabilities work in sheltered workshops?

The literature shows that many adults with disabilities and their families prefer integrated employment. Federal and state policies promote participation of individuals with disabilities in the general labor market, yet the majority of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) attend facility-based programs. The purpose of this paper is to determine what factors influence adults with intellectual disabilities and their families in choosing between sheltered workshops and integrated employment. To this end, adults with ID (210), families (185), and staff members in sheltered workshops (224) were surveyed. Findings showed that, when deciding about day services, some adults with ID and their families had concerns about safety, transportation, long-term placement, work hours, disability benefits, social environment, and work skills issues. Long-term placement, safety, and social environment emerged as the most important concerns. Additionally, professionals in disability services appeared to play a relatively minimal role in encouraging adults with ID and their families to pursue integrated employment and in some cases, professionals have even encouraged adults with ID and their families to choose sheltered workshops. Recommendations are provided for advancing the transition of adults with ID from sheltered workshops to integrated employment.