Employment for People with Intellectual Disabilities: the Effect of Different Methods of Employment on Job Satisfaction and Quality of Life

This book furthers research into outcome evaluation in the disability sector by presenting the first scientific, rigorous analysis of the effectiveness of different methods of employment (open and sheltered) for people with intellectual disabilities. The measurement of effectiveness was based on the job satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) of individuals participating in each method of employment. Job satisfaction is measured using a refined version of the Barlow and Kirby (1991) job satisfaction questionnaire, while quality of life is measured using both a refined version of the Schalock and Keith (1993) QOL questionnaire, and the original questionnaire. Interviews were conducted with 117 people who were employed in either sheltered or open employment. The results indicate that after controlling for demographic differences, there is no difference in terms of job satisfaction, while open employment resulted in higher QOL for participants with high functional work ability. However, there appeared to be no difference in QOL for participants with low functional work ability.