The transition to employment: the perspectives of students and graduates with disabilities

Abstract

Education and employment are basic human rights and during the past decade in Ireland, the number of students with disabilities progressing through universities has dramatically increased as a result of improved support (AHEAD 2012. 'Survey on the Participation Rates of Students with Disabilities in Higher Education for the Academic Year 2011/2012'. AHEAD). However, embarking on the transition from college to employment can be fraught with challenges (Fichten, S. Jorgensen, A. Havel, M. Barile, V. Ferraro, M. È. Landry, D. Fiset, et al. 2012, “What happens after graduation? Outcomes, employment, and recommendations of recent junior/community college graduates with and without disabilities.”. 'Disability and Rehabilitation' 34 (11): 917-924). Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives and needs of students and graduates with disabilities as they transition from college to employment. Semi-structured interviews were employed to hear the voices of thirteen students and nine graduates. Content analysis guided data analysis. Five themes were identified in the student group and four in the graduate group. This study concluded that students and graduates with disabilities need support in transitioning into the world of work and higher education institutions need to listen to the voices of students in developing and refining career-related resources.

Keywords

• Transition
• university
• employment
• disability
• disclosure
• supports